Learn Essential Theory, Planning and Design of Solar PV System with Calculations - Self Study

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To Learn complete, necessary and essential theory of solar energy, PV modules/systems, charge controllers, inverters and batteries in an easy and understandable way

2. To Learn and understand System Planning and Design consisting of Customer Requirements, Site Survey & Planning, Mechanical Design, On-Grid/Off-Grid System Sizing and key Electrical Design as per NEC 690

3. To Practice and Solve 35 applied technical questions including calculations (theory explained) leading to expert approach and confidence

4. Carry out Sizing of On-Grid and Off-Grid Systems in Excel Sheet (for PV Arrays, Inverter(s) and Battery Bank)

5. Understand Core Concepts of Solar PV system as per NEC690

6. To Strengthen Knowledge on a sound Professional basis, and add Core Technical Value to your knowledge

7. To Learn in hours from zero to perfection

8. If you are planning for Industry Certifications, then this course brings considerable preparatory material helping you achieve your objective

Description:

This is not another Solar PV course but in fact this course brings abundance of material which shall take your knowledge and understanding to a level which shall be sufficient to understand all professional theory behind solar photovoltaics and associated equipment like charge controllers, inverters and batteries, and will cover various topics related to solar energy, PV cells and arrays including sun, solar system, solar radiation, solar energy, PV modules, PV arrays/systems, charge controllers, inverters and batteries, which are necessary to grasp the professional understanding for designing and installing of solar PV systems.

Moreover, this course brings to you detailed System Planning and Designing comprising of Customer Requirements, Economics of Solar PV Systems, Payback Period/NPV/IRR, Understanding Project Scope and System Specifications, RFP, User Load Analysis, Critical Load Analysis, Site Survey and Planning, Shading Analysis, Calculating inter-row distances, PV Array Orientation & Optimization, Mechanical Design, Mounting Structures Types and Materials and detailed Sizing of On-Grid/Off-Grid System(s) in Microsoft-Excel Sheets.

Additionally, this course shall help the learner to go through some common PV-related questions and learn how to calculate and solve the problems. All theory is explained with calculations and reasoning. These questions will certainly enhance the confidence of the learner.

Efforts have been made that all such topics and questions are covered and comprehensive learning takes place in a couple of hours through theory and calculations.

Course Content

• INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR PV SYSTEMS

  • History of Solar Energy
  • PV Applications and Industry
  • PV Industry Stakeholders
  • Solar Energy Technologies

• SOLAR RADIATION, ENERGY AND EARTH ROTATION

  • The Sun
  • Solar Radiation and Solar Light
  • Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation and Solar Constant
  • Terrestrial Solar Radiation and Air Mass
  • Peak Sun Value and Hours
  • Solar Irradiance and Irradiation
  • Solar Radiation Data and Maps
  • Measuring Solar Radiation and Sunshine
  • Earth Orbit and Rotation
  • Solar Time and Equation of Time Graph
  • Sun Path Charts and Solar Window
  • Photovoltaic Module Azimuth and Tilt Angles
  • Solar and Magnetic Declination
  • Power and Energy Basic Electrical Equations

• PV CELLS, MODULES AND ARRAYS

  • Atom, Semiconductors and Band-Gap
  • Silicon Element Structure and Doping
  • Photovoltaic Effect and Solar Cell Working Principle
  • Structure, Materials and Fabrication of Solar Cell
  • Current-Voltage-Power Curves of Solar PV Modules
  • Temperature Coefficient and Calculating Voltages
  • Efficiency and Fill Factor
  • Module Series and Parallel Connections
  • Bypass Diodes
  • PV Labels
  • Test Conditions
  • PV International Standards

• CHARGE CONTROLLERS

  • Charge Controller Functions
  • Types of Charge Contoller
  • Voltage Settings of Charge Controller
  • Selection Parameters
  • Installation of a Charge Controller

• INVERTERS

  • AC, DC and Quality of Power -1
  • AC, DC and Quality of Power -2
  • Switching, Power Conditioning and Control -1
  • Switching, Power Conditioning and Control -2
  • Types of Solar Inverters -1
  • Types of Solar Inverters -2
  • Earthing & Grounding
  • Selection Parameters of Inverter -1
  • Selection Parameters of Inverter -2
  • Selection Parameters of Inverter -3
  • Selection Parameters of Inverter -4

• BATTERIES

  • Characteristics and Parameters of a Battery
  • Battery of Batteries -I
  • Battery of Batteries -II
  • Calculating Battery Bank Size
  • Selection Parameters of a Battery
  • Operation and Installation of a Battery
  • Battery Standards

• 35 APPLIED TECHNICAL QUESTIONS WITH ALL THEORY AND SOLUTIONS EXPLAINED

  • Calculate Voltage Drop in a Cable
  • Calculate System Power based upon Solar Irradiance, Module rated Power and Efficiency
  • Finding No. of Strings and PV Modules Combination given System Data
  • Calculating Voltage and Current Output at Standard Test Conditions given System Data
  • Calculate AC Output of a Solar PV System given System Losses and Inverter Efficiency
  • Finding least amount of PV Modules given System Data
  • Understanding purpose of Bypass Diodes
  • Find best solution for having multiple orientations of PV Modules
  • Calculate MPPT voltage of the system at Standard Test Conditions
  • Find best Voltage for charging a 12V Lead Acid battery
  • Find characteristics of a Wire that lead to more Voltage drop
  • Calculate PV Size given Area and PV Module Efficiency
  • Calculate minimum number of PV Modules to be installed in series given System data
  • What kind of ground faults do most inverters detect
  • Calculate total System size given PV Modules data and number of Strings
  • Calculate Voltage of PV Cells given other combination
  • Calculate No of Batteries required given Load Watt-Hours and Volts
  • Calculate No. of Batteries required given Load data
  • Which one affect the production of Current most in PV Modules
  • Calculate Energy Units consumed by a Load
  • Understanding Air Mass
  • Calculate power produced by the PV Array given PV Module area and efficiency
  • Calculate size of Breaker at output of an Inverter
  • Understand factors required to calculate Inter-row spacing of PV Modules in an Array
  • Troubleshooting a PV System consisting of one source circuit not producing power
  • Find optimimed PV Tilt Angle during the Summer season for an Off-Grid PV System
  • Calculate Maximum No of Modules to be connected in Series given System data
  • Calculate the Energy Units consumed per day by a residential load
  • Find worst Orientation Design for the installation of the PV system
  • What can be the maximum array size given Charge Controller data
  • Finding Tilt Angle of the Array given Location and Latitude
  • Calculate Energy produces by a PV System in one year given System data
  • Calculate Maximum No. of PV Modules to be installed in series given System data
  • Troubleshooting an Off-Grid PV system which often Shuts down during Winter
  • Calculate annual System Output given System data

• SYSTEM PLANNING & DESIGN STAGE-I: CUSTOMER REQUIRMENTS, SALES AND ECONIMICS OF SOLAR PV SYSTEMS

  • Introduction to System Design Stages
  • Customer Requirements and Challenges
  • System Selection and Economics of Solar PV System
  • I - Selection of Type of System
  • II - Economics of Solar PV System
  • III - PayBack NPV IRR
  • IV - Net Metering State Incentives
  • V - Payback Period-NPV-IRR Examples
  • VI - Levelized Cost of Energy
  • Project Scope of Work and Agreement
  • Estimating User Load Requirements
  • System Specifications
  • Request for Proposal or Tender Document

• SYSTEM PLANNING & DESIGN STAGE-II: SITE SURVEY AND PLANNING

  • Site Survey and Data Collection
  • Types of Shadows
  • Shading Analysis
  • I - Introduction to Shading Analysis
  • II - Calculate Inter-Row Distances and area of PV Array
  • III - Inter-Row Distance Graph, Window of Obstruction, Energy Yield
  • PV Array Location Considerations
  • PV Array Orientation and Energy Yield Optimization
  • Optimizing String Connections
  • Existing Electrical and Interconnection Equipment

• SYSTEM PLANNING & DESIGN STAGE-III: ARRAY MOUNTING AND MECHANICAL DESIGN

  • Factors for PV Array Mounting Design
  • PV Array Mounting Locations
  • Mounting Structure Material and Types
  • Roofing Structure and Basics
  • Mechanical Design and Techniques
  • Applicable Codes for Installation

• SYSTEM PLANNING & DESIGN STAGE-IV: SOLAR PV SYSTEM SIZING AND CALCULATIONS

  • Introduction to Solar PV System Sizing
  • PV System Configuration Concepts and Inverter Selection
  • Load and Critical Design Analysis
  • Equipment Key Design Concepts and Parameters
  • System Losses
  • System Sizing Calculations
  • I - On-Grid System Sizing Part-1
  • II - On-Grid System Sizing Part-2
  • III - Off-Grid System Sizing
  • IV - Finding-PSH-Temp-Data
  • V - PV System Sizing Excel Sheets

• UNDERSTANDING CORE CONCEPTS OF SOLAR PV SYSTEM AS PER NEC 690

  • Introduction & Definitions: NEC 690.1 & 690.2
  • Maximum Voltage and Calculations: NEC 690.7
  • Maximum Current and Circuit Sizing: NEC 690.8
  • Rapid Shutdown System: NEC 690.12
  • Over-Current Protection (OCPD): NEC 690.9

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR:

• Beginners, engineers, technicians or others who are interested to learn and understand solar PV science and technology on sound and professional footings
• Engineers, technicians or professionals who are already in this field, and quickly want to refresh their knowledge on sound basis
• Those who may decide in future to go for industry certifications