TWO COURSES, ONE WEEK, IN ATLANTA, GA, THIS MAY 23-27.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS – NABCEP ENTRY LEVEL EXAM PREPARATION AND DESIGNING, INSPECTING AND COMMISIONING COURSE TO BE OFFERED TOGETHER

Smart North America is teaming with Jim Dunlop once again to offer, top notch, in person training on solar photovoltaics.  The course is being sponsored by GEXPRO and will be taught by Ruth Nelson of  Smart North America and Jim Dunlop author of Solar Photovoltaics.  This course will cover the NABCEP Entry Level Learning Objectives.   NORTH AMERICAN BOARD OF CERTIFIED ENERGY PRACTITIONERS (NABCEP) learning objectives

This course is one full, 40 hour week, from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The course will encompass two courses within the week, with the whole week dedicated to covering the Entryl Level Objectives while offering professionals in the field the opportunity to complete a two-day DESIGNING AND COMMISSIONING TRAINING on Wednesday and Thursday, May 25-26. This section of the course will be the hands-on demonstration of system construction and will cover NEC Guidelines for compliance with the National Electrical Code, How to Inspect, Test and Commission Grid Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems. This section is especially of interest to Electrical Inspectors, Engineers, Architects, and Commissioning Agents.

Our Host, GEXPRO is a leading solar/electrical supplier throughout the country and will have experts on hand to assist with any questions, equipment demonstrations and information needed to get ahead in the industry.

NABCEP ENTRY LEVEL EXAM PREPARATION COURSE – 40 Hours, May 23-27,

The cost for the 40 hour course is $1595.00. This cost includes registration for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam which can be taken after the course and is a nationally recognized competency test, which indicates that persons are able to work safely on photovoltaic systems. Participatns will also receive the 500+ page, hardback, course Textbook, Solar Photovoltaics by Jim Dunlop, which is the foremost training handbook for industry professionals in solar.  Jim Dunlop will provide training for at least two of these days and will lend himself to past students as an infiinte resource for future reference, questions and assistance.  The course will be taught in partnership with Ruth Page-Nelson, a Georgia Licensed Master Electrician and DOE/Solar Instructor Training Network Trainer for Solar. Ruth has worked as an electrical contractor and solar installer since 2003.  She is the founding partner of Smart North America, Inc. A training and consulting firm for the new energy markets.

Course Description

This training program covers the fundamentals of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The purpose of this course is to orient electrical contractors with the specification, design and code-compliant installation of PV systems, and intended to develop knowledgeable professionals in the electrical industry to promote the safety, quality and consumer acceptance of PV installations.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this training program are to develop the participant’s ability to:

• Conduct site assessments, determine the available solar resource and estimate the performance of PV systems
• Specify components and prepare PV system designs based on customer and site requirements
• Specify appropriate support structure and implement mechanical designs for PV arrays that meet the performance, architectural and structural requirements for given applications
• Implement electrical designs for PV systems that meet the safety, code compliance and functional requirements for given applications
• Conduct acceptance tests and inspections and commissioning for PV system installations
• Evaluate, troubleshoot, and maintain PV systems

Course Format

This training program involves a combination of self-study and assignments prior to the course, followed by four days of classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations during on-site training. The curriculum and exercises involve the step-by-step process of specifying, designing, installing and commissioning grid-connected PV systems, with a focus on developing the participant’s working knowledge of PV systems and equipment.

Course Materials, Location and Registration Information

The Photovoltaic Systems textbook and an electronic version of the will be provided to each participant with paid registration. Participants should bring their copy of the 2014 National Electrical Code and a calculator for exercises. Participants are encouraged to complete the following advance reading assignments, exercises and self-study prior to the course. These assignment are detailed here.

The registration fee for this 4-day course is $895 and limited to 20 participants. A minimum of 12 participants are needed to make this course, which will be confirmed with all registrants two (2) weeks before the course dates. Lunches and refreshments are included with registration, and participants are responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements.   The course location is:  GEXPRO, DULUTH, GA

This training program will be held at Gexpro’s Duluth,  GA branch. The course will begin at 8 am and conclude at 5 pm each day. We will provide lunch and refreshments.

The Following topics are covered in this course and correspond with chapters in the Photovoltaic Systems textbook:

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
  Solar Technologies – History and Development – Markets and Applications – Industry Sectors
• Chapter 2: Solar Radiation
  Terminology & Definitions – Geometric & Atmospheric Effects – Solar Power & Energy – Measurements & Data
• Chapter 3: Site Surveys and Preplanning
  Customer Development – Site Assessment – Locating PV Arrays – Shading Analysis – Project Planning and Preparation
• Chapter 4: System Components and Configurations
  Major Components – Balance-of-System – System Classifications and Designs
• Chapter 5: Cells, Modules and Arrays
  Principles of Operation – I-V Characteristics – Response to Irradiance and Temperature – Series/Parallel Connections – Specifications and Ratings
• Chapter 6: Batteries
  Types and Characteristics – Functions and Features – Specifications and Ratings
• Chapter 7: Charge Controllers
  Types and Characteristics – Functions and Features – Specifications and Ratings – Sizing
• Chapter 8: Inverters
  Definitions and Terminology – Types and Applications – Functions and Features – Selection and Sizing – Monitoring and Communications
• Chapter 9: System Sizing
  Sizing Principles – Interactive vs. Stand-Alone Systems – Calculations and Software Tools
• Chapter 10: Mechanical Integration
  Design Considerations – Array Mounting Configurations – Structural Loads – Installation
• Chapter 11: Electrical Integration
  Terminology and Definitions – Circuit Design Requirements – Specifying Electrical Components – Code-Compliant Installation Practices
• Chapter 12: Utility Interconnection
  Codes and Standards – Utility Considerations – Supply and Load Side Connections – Interconnection Agreements
• Chapter 13: Permitting and Inspection
  Permit Submittal Guidelines – Plan Review – System Labels – Inspection Checklists
• Chapter 14: Commissioning, Maintenance and Troubleshooting
  System Commissioning – Maintenance Plans – Diagnostics
• Chapter 15: Economic Analysis
  Incentives – Value Assessment – Life Cycle Costs Analysis – Financial Tools
• Chapter 16: PV System Safety
  Hazards and Avoidance – Personal Protective Equipment – Fall Protection – Electrical Safety

CERTIFIATION PROGRAMS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION, SOLAR COMPETENCY

The course qualifies persosn to take the NABCEP Entry Level Exam when taken as a 40 hour Course. The two Day Course will receive a certificate of competency and where relevant, qualifies for continuing education credits.   We are continuing education providers for several states as well as the program qualifies for unregulated continuing education requirements for USGBC, Engineers in some states, The Louisana Solar Certification Requirements and others.  Please contact us to find out if this the course meets your needs for additional training and education requirements.

This training does not result in any certification from Gexpro or otherwise. Participants will receive a course completion certificate, documenting the course content and hours of training.

Designing, Inspecting and Commissioning Utility-Interactive Solar Photovoltaic Systems Two Day Course May 25-26, 2016

Course Objectives and Overview

The cost for the two day designing and commissining course is $595.00.  This course is geared towards industry professionals who already have some working knowledge of electricity and solar power, but need to understand how it should be installed and tested in order to verify correct installation of systems.

This 16  hour Course covers the principles for designing, Inspecting and Commissioning utility-interactive solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.  The objectives for this workshop are to develop the basic requirements for PV system documentation and designs, and for submitting construction documents to the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) for plan review and permitting. I is an essential for Inspectors of Solar Photovoltaic Systems as well as Engineers and Architects who want to understand the design protocols, and or perform commissioning of systems.

The course covers system inspections, troubleshooting and diagnostics, and is based on best industry practices and the relevant standards, such as NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, and IEC 62446: Grid connected photovoltaic systems – Minimum requirements for system documentation, commissioning tests and inspection. Scenarios for the design of typical residential and commercial PV systems will be used as the basis for class exercises.  Test instruments used for commissioning will be discussed and demonstrated.

This workshop is intended for design professionals, inspectors, installers and instructors with working knowledge and experience with PV systems and/or detailed knowledge of electrical systems.

Objectives: 

The objectives of this course are to develop the participant’s ability to:

• Evaluate site conditions and other factors affecting the planning for PV installations.
• Determine appropriate locations and estimate the size of PV arrays and other major components.
• Estimate energy production and conduct value assessments.
• Identify the requirements for PV system designs and documentation for submittal to building code officials for plan review and permitting.
• Develop monitoring plans and maintenance schedules based on component and system requirements.
• Conduct inspections and commissioning tests on PV system installations, interpret the results, troubleshoot problems and determine corrective

 Upon completion of this course, one will be able to: 

• Perform site assessment
• Identify design options and constraints
• Determine appropriate system type and size
• Specify PV modules, inverters and other major system components
• Determine requirements balance-of-system (BOS) components
• Complete design for plan review and permitting
• Complete construction drawings
• Complete as-built construction drawings
• Perform inspection of systems
• Perform commissioning of systems

 

  PV System Testing and Commissioning

• PV systems are expected to provide decades of safe and reliable performance. However, many PV systems are not satisfactorily evaluated prior to being placed into service, or have regularly scheduled maintenance or testing over their lifetime.
• This often leads to unsafe and underperforming systems resulting in increased liability and reduced value to the owners.
• Any electrical system can be tested to verify performance and to evaluate the condition of the wiring systems and equipment. This is particularly important for PV installations, which are subjected to extreme environmental conditions and deteriorating effects of the elements over many years. Grid Tied Electrical Systems: IEC 62446
• IEC 62446: Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems – Minimum Requirements for System Documentation, Commissioning Tests and Inspection
• Defines minimum documentation, commissioning tests and inspection criteria for grid-connected PV systems.
• This standard is intended to verify the safe and proper operation of PV systems, and to serve as a guide for designers, installers and service personnel.
• Compliance with IEC 62446 provides buyer assurances and correlates with many NEC requirements for the verification of safety for all electrical systems.

 

System documentation

• Describes the minimum documentation that shall be provided to the customer following installation of a grid-connected PV system.

 

Verification

• Describes the inspections and testing to be conducted for the initial or periodic verification of system functions and safety.

Major System Components

• Photovoltaic (PV) Array
• An assembly of PV modules that convert sunlight to DC electricity.
• Power Conditioning Equipment
• Inverters, chargers and controllers that process DC power from PV arrays to regulate battery charge or produce AC power for utilization loads.
• Energy Storage
• Batteries store energy produced by PV arrays, and are used in most stand-alone systems, but only in specially-designed multi-mode grid-tied systems. Balance-of-System (BOS) Components
• Mechanical or electrical equipment and hardware used to assemble and integrate major components, and to conduct, distribute and control the flow of power in the system.
• Inverters
• Charge controllers
• Battery chargers
• DC-DC converters
• Maximum power point trackers
• Types of inverters

 

Balance of Systems (BOS) components

• Conductors (wiring)
• Raceways (conduit)
• Junction and combiner boxes
• Disconnect switches
• Fuses and circuit breakers
• Terminals and connectors
• Array mounting hardware

 

• Major components used in PV systems include modules and arrays, inverters, batteries, chargers and controllers.
• Balance-of-system components include electrical and mechanical equipment needed to construct a complete PV system and integrate the major components.

 

Types of Photovoltaic Systems :  Standalone, Interactive, Hybrid

• Stand-alone PV systems operate off-grid and are designed to power specific electrical loads.
• Interactive PV systems are connected to the utility grid and supplement site electrical loads.

 

Solar Radiation

• Understanding Solar Radiation, site surveys, sun patterns, shading and how calculate the amount of power to be generated at any given site

 

System Sizing

• The sizing principles for interactive and stand-alone PV systems are based on different design and functional requirements.
• Utility-Interactive Systems (without energy storage):
• Stand-Alone Systems (with energy storage)

 

Mechanical Integration

• Identifying design objectives and key considerations for the mechanical integration of PV arrays.
• Recognizing the common types of mounting methods and materials used to install PV arrays on the ground and to building rooftops.
• Defining desirable materials properties consistent with the operating life expectancies of PV systems. Analyzing structural loads on PV arrays and their attachments.
• Orientation type
• Allowable Stress Design determines the design loads for structural materials based on not exceeding elastic stresses.
• Combination loads from PV arrays having the most adverse effects of the structure are considered.
• Use materials compatible with the environment and system life expectancy.

 

Type and Location of Arrays

• Ground-mounted arrays
• Roof-mounted arrays
• Building-integrated PV (BIPV) arrays

 

Wiring Methods for Solar PV Systems

• Wiring Integration DC/AC
• NEC Codes, NFPA 1 Codes, and related international Codes
• Sizing of conductors
• load calculation Required
• Labeling of conductors
• Type of wiring allowed
• Derating of wiring
• Overcurrent protection devices
• Electrical safety
• Inspection
• Testing and verification

 

Commissioning  Inspection and Testing of Systems:

• To help ensure the long-term safe operation of PV systems, quality installation and service contractors execute a thorough commissioning process followed by a regular periodic testing and maintenance program.
• These practices can help improve safety and performance, and provide essential information required to effectively troubleshoot, diagnose and remedy problems with the system.

Start up procedures

Ongoing Monitoring and Measuring of Power/Energy Production  

Register: