pv 5d course description - outline - outcomes 2014_1
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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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Photovoltaic Training Course
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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Photovoltaic Training Course
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