Solar
Design and Installation
Utility Interconnection
Residential Grid-Tied Solar Design
10 - 12 hours
to complete
Instructor-led
Last updated 05/2025
About this course
This comprehensive Residential Grid-Tied Solar Design course equips you with the essential knowledge and foundational skills needed to understand and contribute to solar PV system design for residential applications. From grasping basic terminology to exploring advanced design concepts, this course provides valuable insights into creating residential grid-tied solar installations.
Perfect for new professionals entering the solar industry, experienced electricians expanding their service offerings, or anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of PV design, this course bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. You'll learn about properly sizing systems based on energy consumption, designing roof layouts following safety requirements, calculating appropriate wire and conduit sizes, and implementing NEC-compliant rapid shutdown and interconnection methods.
What sets this course apart is the hands-on approach using OpenSolar, free solar design software that allows you to apply concepts immediately. You'll work through practical examples that demonstrate how to address common challenges like shading considerations, voltage drop calculations, and various interconnection scenarios. By the end of the course, you'll have developed important skills that contribute to designing grid-tied systems that maximize energy production while meeting necessary code requirements.
Don't worry if you're new to calculations – we've structured the content to be accessible while still providing the technical depth needed to support your professional development. While this course provides a solid foundation, working alongside experienced professionals will help you continue to refine these skills in practice.
Join your instructor, Baker Makarem, and start building your practical PV design knowledge!
Learning Objectives
- Understand the terminology and basic concepts of solar design
- Design roof layout following NFPA 1, the NEC, and rapid shutdown requirements
- Properly size PV systems
- Understand design considerations using the NEC; including, wire size, conduit size, voltage drop, overcurrent protection device, and interconnection methods
- Learn how to design using OpenSolar
- Design a PV grid-tied system
- Bonus: Identify different scenarios for interconnection methods as per NEC 705
- Bonus: Identify considerations for ground mount and voltage drop/rise
- Bonus: Identify considerations for ground mount and shading
Course outline
7 modules
10 - 12 hours to complete
8:54 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 3 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 3 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
- Welcome: Let me introduce myself (02:53 minutes)
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 5 assignments
The Basics of Residential Grid-Tied Solar
Module 1 • 5 assignments
The Basics of Residential Grid-Tied Solar
In this module, we will talk about the basic concepts that we will use throughout the course. Also, we will learn the information provided on a PV module data sheet. (You can call them solar panel too, - I don't mind).
Now, what kind of concepts?
Embrace yourselves for a journey in: azimuth, inclination, irradiance, sun hours, STC, temperature coefficients, and more...
- Basic Concepts (16:26 minutes)
- PV Module Data Sheets (20:16 minutes)
- Enviromental Data: Irradiance and Ambient Temperature (20:29 minutes)
- PVWatts Calculator
- ASHRAE Climatic Design Conditions
Module 2 • 3 assignments
Considerations for Rooftop Solar
Module 2 • 3 assignments
Considerations for Rooftop Solar
We will describe the requirements for mounting PV modules on a roof: setbacks, environmental considerations, and requirements.
- Photovoltaic Roof Considerations: NFPA 1 (Fire pathways) (25:18 minutes)
- Rooftop Considerations from the National Electrical Code (NEC) (36:47 minutes)
- UL 3741 PVHCS Addendum Pegasus and Tesla (.pdf)
Module 3 • 10 assignments
PV System Sizing
Module 3 • 10 assignments
PV System Sizing
In this module, we dive into properly sizing your system.
- Design Section 01 (13:04 minutes)
- Design Section 02 (24:07 minutes)
- Understanding Inverters and More Calcs (53:18 minutes)
- Simulation examples (27:16 minutes)
- OpenSolar Example (24:07 minutes)
- Training Examples and Optional Homework (.pdf)
- PV design document (.pdf)
- OpenSolar: Free Solar Design Software
- PVWatts Manual Paper (.pdf)
- NREL: Performance Parameters for Grid-Connected PV Systems (.pdf)
Module 4 • 9 assignments
Applying the NEC
Module 4 • 9 assignments
Applying the NEC
Let's learn how we apply the NEC to our designs.
- NEC 705 Interconnections - PV Only (41:30 minutes)
- Grounding and Bonding (26:40 minutes)
- NEC - Wire Sizing (25:57 minutes)
- NEC - Conduit Sizing (12:50 minutes)
- Voltage Drop (20:54 minutes)
- Labeling Requirements (44:03 minutes)
- NEC Calculations (.pdf)
- Labeling Guidelines (.pdf)
- Final Example and Optional Homerwork (.pdf)
Module 5 • 3 assignments
Bonus: Videos and Lessons
Module 5 • 3 assignments
Bonus: Videos and Lessons
Here's a few bonus areas to learn about!
- Bonus: Interconnection methods (29:57 minutes)
- Bonus: Ground Mount Fixed Tilt Considerations - Section 01 (48:26 minutes)
- Bonus: Ground Mount Fixed Tilt Considerations - Section 02 (20:01 minutes)
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Continuing Education Units
Approved NABCEP CEU Hours
| NABCEP Credential | Advanced Hours for Exam | Recertification CEU Hours | NEC | JTA | RE Elective | Building or Fire Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 1 | |
| 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 10 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 1 | |
| 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Instructor
I’m Baker Makarem — a Mechanical Engineer and NABCEP-certified ESIP, PVIP, and PVSI professional. I'm the founder of Bakertech, a company specialized in the photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems (ESS) industry. Since diving into the renewable energy field in 2017. I haven’t looked back. I’m passionate about helping others grow in this incredible industry. I’ve...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. During your year of access the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?
Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.
