PV 5D Course Description - Outline - Outcomes 2014_1

8/9/2019 PV 5D Course Description - Outline - Outcomes 2014_1

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Photovoltaic Training Course

Description

Where: The Living City Campus at Kortright, Vaughan, ON

Duration: 5-Day Training Course*

Fee: $1600 (includes manual and lunch daily)

Manual: Photovoltaic Systems, Revision 10.4

Enrollment: Limited to 16 participants

*Note: Customized courses are available.Contact Svend De bruyn (sde [email protected]) for further information.

To meet the growing demand for trained installers and educators, The Living City

Campus at Kortright has developed a five-day, Photovoltaic Training Course that

includes background theory, hands-on demonstrations, installation components,

and fall arrest training. Completion of the course prepares participants to write

the NABCEP (North American Board Certified of Energy Practitioners) entry level

certification exam which will allow them to enter into the growing solar energy

marketplace.

The Living City Campus at Kortright is home to the largest demonstration of

operating PV systems in Canada. From 100 watts to 90 kilowatts, the campus

showcases both off-grid and grid tied systems as well as demonstrating various

types of mounting installations including, sloped roof, flat roof and integrated

systems. The course is held in the Campus’ off-grid cottage: an ideal setting to

inspire participants about the potential of renewable energy. Staff instructors

have over 75 years combined experience in teaching and installing solar and wind

energy systems.

Instructors: Svend de Bruyn


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Outline

Day 1

1. Photovoltaic Introduction

a) What are Photovoltaic'sb) Applicationsc) Industry and Markets Trends

2. Electrical and Solar Fundamentals

a) Energy/work/power, Electrical Terminology, Units of Measurement, Circuitsb) Solar Radiation and Measuring Tools

3. Photovo ltaic Fundamentals

a) Cells, Modules, Arraysb) Efficiencyc) PV cell typesd) Module Specification

open circuit voltageshort circuit currentI - V curves

e) Factors Affecting Performance

4. PV system Tour

Tour of various PV systems

5. Field Work

a) Measuring module specificationsb) Testing factors affecting modulesc) Series and parallel connections


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Photovoltaic Training Courses (outline cont.)

Day 2

1. Site Assessment and Planning

a) Survey and Site Assessment Criteriab) Assessment tools

2. Mounting Systems

a) Roof, Ground, Ballasted, pole, tracker, Building Integrated (BIPV)b) Roof mount systems and considerationsc) Module and Array orientationd) Racking typese) Safety

3. Mechanical Integration

4. Field Work

a) Site Assessment toolsb) Component connections

Day 3

1. System Components and Configurations

a) Charge controllersb) Combiner boxesc) Invertersd) Wiringe) Batteriesf) Grounding

2. Electrical Integration

3. Lab Work

a) Table top assembles for off grid


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Photovoltaic Training Courses (outline cont.)

Day 4

Field Work

1. Installation Practices2. Installation of Grid Tie System

Day 5

1. System Design and Sizing2. Building Integration3. Code, Regulations and Safety4. Permitting and Inspection

a. Net meteringb. FITc. Micro Fit

5. Test


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Modules and Learning Outcomes

Course Modules:

Module 1 Introduction to Photovoltaics

Module 2 Electrical Power and Energy

Module 3 Solar Fundamentals

Module 4 PV Fundamentals

Module 5 Solar Site Assessment

Module 6 System Sizing

Module 7 Installation and Mounting Systems

Module 8 System Components and Configurations

Module 9 Net Metering, Fit and MicroFit


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Module 1 Introduction to Photovoltaics

Topics Covered

• Best Practices

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy

• Energy Consumption Practices – Global and Personal Perspectives

• Conservation and Energy Efficiency

• Historical Timeline of Electricity and Development of PV Technology

• PV System Types and Industry Terminology/Definitions

Learning Objectives

• Participants will receive an overview of the benefits and limitations of PV

technology allowing them to understand the rationale for the use of PV,

while at the same time making them aware of the factors that may limit the

use of the technology in certain applications

• Participants will be introduced to energy consumption trends, both globally

and personally to provide a general understanding of how energy is

consumed

• Participants will be introduced to the concept of energy conservation as an

important first step to be considered before the consideration for

renewable energy

• Participants will be introduced to the various type of PV systems including

Direct Coupled, Self Regulating, Bimodal, Grid-Tied and Off-Grid

• Participants will be introduced to definitions and terminology used

throughout the industry

• Participants will receive a brief history lesson on the development of

electricity leading up to and including the invention of PV technology


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Module 2 Electrical Power and Energy

Topics Covered

• Voltage, Current, Resistance, Voltage Drop, Power and Energy

• Application of the Power Formula

• Direct and Alternating Current

• Series and Parallel Circuits

• PV Components (Cell, Module, Array)

• Series and Parallel Circuits Applied to PV Modules and Arrays

• Module Life • PV Market Trends

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn the fundamental basics of electrical theory including

the concepts of voltage, current, resistance and voltage drop

• Participants will learn how the basics, described above, are then applied to

the concepts of electrical power and energy and ultimately the application

of these components in the power formula • Participants will learn the differences between Direct and Alternating

Current

• Participants will learn about series and parallel circuits and their application

to PV technology

• Participants will learn about the performance reliability of modules

• Participants will learn about market trends (economic and production)

affecting the PV industry


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Module 3 Solar Fundamentals

Topics Covered

• Solar Irradiance and Irradiation

• Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Atmospheric Effects

• Tools for Measuring Irradiance

• Solar Energy Concepts

• Peak Sun Hours

• Insolation Maps• Solar Spectrum

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn about the concept of solar irradiance and how levels

of irradiance increase and decrease throughout the course of a day

• Participants will learn about the types of solar radiation and potential

atmospheric effects

• Participants will be introduced to various devices used to measure

irradiance including pyranometers, portable pyranometers, pyrheliometer,

and reference cells

• Participants will learn about solar energy concepts including an overview of

peak sun hours as a measure of total daily solar irradiance and the use of

insolation maps to illustrate global peak sun hours


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Module 4 PV Fundamentals

Topics Covered

• Definition of Photovoltaics

• PV Cells and Types of Cells

• PV Manufacturing

• PV Modules

• Measuring Open Circuit Voltage, Short Circuit Current and Measuring

Devices

• The I-V Curve, or Electrical Output Profile• Module Evaluation

• Module Specifications

• PV Performance Rating Conditions

• Factors Affecting PV Performance

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn how PV cells convert photons from sunlight into

electricity

• Participants will learn about the types of silicon PV cells including

amorphous, multicrystalline and monocrystalline as well as other

specialized PV types including concentrated PV, bifacial and cylindrical

• Participants will be introduced to the various stages of the manufacturing

process for PV modules and the use of sun simulators to undertake flash

testing of completed modules

• Participants will learn how modules are evaluated under standard test

conditions (STC) and PV test conditions (PTC) and how the development ofI-V curves is used to illustrate the electrical output profile of a PV module

under specific operating conditions

• Participants will learn how factors such as temperature, light intensity,

array orientation, tilt angle and shading can affect the performance output

of the PV system


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Module 5 Solar Site Assessment

Topics Covered

• Physical Site Assessment Considerations

• Measuring Roof Orientation

• Measuring Altitude Angle and Available Tools

• Site Assessment Tools

• Module Warranties

• Case Study: Evaluation of a Site to Compare Predicted Output and Return

on Investment

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn the about the key objectives of undertaking a solar

site assessment and will learn about the rationale for why a good

assessment is critical to optimizing performance of a PV system

• Participants will learn about measuring roof angles and making corrections

for magnetic declination

• Participants will learn about altitude angle and its’ importance to a site

assessment and what tools can be used to measure altitude angle including

an inclinometer and Theodolite, an i Phone application.

• Participants will be introduced to the various tools available for undertaking

solar site assessments including Solar Pathfinder, Solmetric Sun Eye and

Solmetric IPV i Phone application

• Participants will learn about the operational characteristics of each tool,

and how they are used to identify potential shading sources and how they

calculate total annual sun hours for a particular site

•

Participants will walk through the input parameters for the various toolsand will learn how to read and interpret site reports generated by the tools

• Participants will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the

various tools as well as gain an understanding of the capital and operating

costs associated for each tool

• Participants will learn how to interpret module warranty information, in

particular understanding power warranty information


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• Participants will understand how to accurately calculate derating factors for

a PV system and will learn, through a case study example, how erroneous

derating factors can be used to inflate performance predictions

Module 6 System Sizing

Topics Covered

• Considerations for Off-Grid Systems

• Considerations for Grid-Tied Systems • Determining System Loads

• Concepts of Energy Neutral and Financial Neutral

Learning Objectives

• Participants will understand the different objectives to consider when sizing

for an off-grid system versus a grid-tied system

• Participants will learn about the concept of net-metering

• Participants will learn how to calculate system loads and to understand

how load requirements change throughout the year in order to determine

which timeframe is critical for sizing calculations

• Participants will discuss the various motivating factors to consider when

sizing a PV system including, Energy Neutrality, Financial Neutrality, Budget

Restrictions and Revenue Generation (Fit/Micro-Fit)


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Module 7 Installation and Mounting Systems

Topics Covered

• Pre-Assembly

• Installation Considerations

• Health and Safety Considerations

• Mounting System Types

• Mounting Considerations

• Module Location and Orientation

• Racking Components • Grounding

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn about a number of factors that can impact

installation of PV systems including factors that can improve the process of

installation, like pre-assembly, and other logistical and physical site factors

that may make installations more challenging including, weather, roof

condition, roof structure, existing electrical service, accessibility and

equipment requirements

• Participants will learn about the various safety concerns associated with PV

installation including, Personal Protective Equipment, Lock-Out and Tag-Out

procedures

• Participants will review statistics from electrical accidents to emphasize the

importance of working safely and will learn about metering devices that are

available to facilitate trouble shooting and installation procedures

•

Participants will participate in a 3-hour Fall Arrest Training component forwhich they will receive certification

• Participants will learn about the pros and cons of the various mounting

types including, pole mounted, tracker mounted, roof mounted, ballasted

roof mounted and ground mounted


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• Participants will learn about various factors to consider when determining

mounting options including, wind load, spacing, service access, structural

load, aesthetics, snow accumulation and mechanical integration • Participants will learn about the importance of

Module 8 System Components and Configurations

Topics Covered

• Inverter Types, Specifications and Sizing Programs

• Electrical Safety Considerations and Protective Mechanisms withinInverters

• Data Logging

• Wiring and Meter Installation

• Array Combiners

• Off-Grid System Components

• Batteries

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn about the function of inverters in a PV system and

also about the various types of inverters including, grid-tied string inverters,

grid-tied micro inverters and off-grid inverters

• Participants will learn about built-in safety features in inverters designed to

prevent anti-islanding

• Participants will learn how to read and interpret specifications data

• Participants will discuss potential electrical hazards and safety precautions

to consider when connecting inverters and other components of a PVsystem

• Participants will learn about data logging capabilities and the benefits of

tracking PV output

• Participants will learn about AC and DC wiring and meter installation

requirements for PV systems


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• Participants will learn about the function, components and wiring

requirements of combiner boxes

• Participants will learn about the different component requirements in off-grid systems including back-up generators, battery banks and charge

controllers

Module 9 Green Energy Act, FIT and MicroFit

Topics Covered

• Green Energy Act

• Pricing Schedule for FIT

• Standard Offer and FIT Program

• Key FIT Definitions

• Understanding MicroFIT

• Domestic Content Requirements

• Applications & Contracts

•

Metering Connection Options

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be introduced to the Green Energy Act and the Feed-In

Tariff Program

• Participants will learn about the various pricing rates available for wind and

PV systems of varying sizes

• Participants will discuss key definitions that apply to the FIT program

•

Participants will learn about the current stipulations for Canadian content • Participants will walk through the application process, connection

agreements with local distribution companies, requirements from the

Electrical Safety Association and the OPA contract offer

• Participants will learn about the options for meter connections including

indirectly connected in parallel, direct connection and transition from net-

metering accounts

Documents

PV 5D Course Description - Outline - Outcomes 2014_1