Solar
Design and Installation

Solar Performance Modeling like a Pro

Canute Haroldson • Last updated 02/2021

4.6/5 (view ratings)
1137 students
1 module
43 minutes
24 assignments

Course description

Designed by the makers of HelioScope, this course will introduce students to some of the most common questions and issues of solar performance modeling. With this knowledge, good design choices can be simplified and included to improve any pitch.

In this course you will gain basic working knowledge to deal with:
- Choosing appropriate weather files for simulated production
- Understanding the value of TMY files
- Creating Pxx Production Estimates
- Selecting PAN files for module simulation
- Evaluating Loss at Irradiance
- Considering temperature losses in your designs
- Considering mismatch losses in your designs
- Considering over/undervoltage losses in your designs
- Evaluating Performance Ratios and kWh/kWp
- Understanding the meaning of module efficiency

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Full course outline

Module 1 - Solar Performance Modeling 101 with HelioScope

  • Solar Performance Modeling 101 with HelioScope - Introduction (01:38 minutes)
  • Course Slides (.pptx)
  • Choosing a Weather File (05:25 minutes)
  • Choosing a Weather File - Quiz
  • Understanding TMY Files (03:32 minutes)
  • Understanding TMY Files - Quiz
  • Pxx Production Estimates (05:18 minutes)
  • Pxx Production Estimates - Quiz
  • PAN Files (03:29 minutes)
  • PAN Files - Quiz
  • Loss at Irradiance (02:38 minutes)
  • Loss at Irradiance - Quiz
  • Temperature Losses (04:41 minutes)
  • Temperature Losses - Quiz
  • Mismatch Losses (03:12 minutes)
  • Mismatch Losses - Quiz
  • Overvoltage and Undervoltage Losses (05:50 minutes)
  • Overvoltage and Undervoltage Losses - Quiz
  • Performance Ratio and kWh/kWp (03:59 minutes)
  • Performance Ratio and kWh/kWp - Quiz
  • Efficiency (03:24 minutes)
  • Efficiency - Quiz

Instructor

Canute Haroldson

Program Manager, Folsom Labs

Canute is a Mechanical Engineer by trade with a lifelong passion for sustainable energy solutions. With experience in policy creation, commercial PV design, and data analysis, he currently works for Folsom Labs helping develop their solar design software, HelioScope. Learn more

Ratings

4.6
249 reviews

1,137 students have taken this course

by amjed kazeem 05/22/2023

more information

by MANOJ KUMAR 05/12/2023

I learned a lot from this course

by Ole Marius Svendsen 11/15/2022

I greatly appreciate someone who talks on the actual simulation and overall design of PV system. Unlike other courses, they all talk hallelujah on how environmental PV are, tho never in depth on different design choices and the impact on the overall performances.

by Nick D'Annolfo 09/01/2022

I've used helioscope for quite a while and this course gave insight into less known methods and methodology for creating an accurate and efficient system

by Marcelo Nalin, EE, N/A 05/15/2021

Improve your design now! Lots of material, best explanation on Voltage Losses(Under/Over), Temperature Losses(Racking), module Efficiencies and system Mismatches

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Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?

This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. The lecture video and other materials are available any time.

How long do I have access to the materials?

For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.

Is there a certificate of completion?

Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.

Can I register multiple people?

Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your group.

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