Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 10-27-09
AEN201  2010 Spring – 2012 Fall	L+L    3.0 Credit(s)    5.0 Period(s)    4.4 Load   Occ
Photovoltaics Design and Installation
Design, operation, installation and service of Photovoltaics. Prerequisites: None.

 

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
AEN201  2010 Spring – 2012 Fall	Photovoltaics Design and Installation

 

1.         Describe the types of Photovoltaics systems. (I)

2.         Explain electrical principles. (II)

3.         Calculate electrical values. (II)

4.         Determine the proper solar location. (III)

5.         Determine electrical loads. (IV)

6.         Explain the electron theory for photovoltaic and performance factors. (V)

7.         Explain battery technology. (VI)

8.         Calculate battery size for a given installation. (VI)

9.         Define the types of controllers. (VII)

10.       Select the proper controller for an application. (VII)

11.       Explain the operation of inverters. (VIII)

12.       Calculate wiring systems for photovoltaic. (IX)

13.       Determine proper sizing of PV systems. (X)

14.       Demonstrate installation of a solar system. (XI)

15.       Demonstrate safe working habits. (XII)

 

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
AEN201  2010 Spring – 2012 Fall	Photovoltaics Design and Installation

 

I.          Photovoltaic Systems

            A.        Components

            B.        System Types

                        1.         Integrated

                        2.         Day use

                        3.         Direct current with storage batteries

                        4.         Direct current powering alternating current loads

                        5.         Hybrid systems

                        6.         Grid-tied

II.         Electrical Values

            A.        Volts - Electrical Force - Power

            B.        Amps - Current

            C.        Ohms - Resistance

            D.        Calculate Values

                        1.         Volts

                        2.         Amps

                        3.         Ohms

            E.         Series Circuits

            F.         Parallel Circuits

            G.        Combination Circuits

III.       Solar Location

            A.        Orientation

            B.        Tilt angle

            C.        Site Data

            D.        Insolation Data

            E.         Solar Site Analysis

IV.       Electrical Load

            A.        Cycling Loads

            B.        Phantom Loads

            C.        Refrigeration Load(s)

            D.        Lighting

            E.         Calculating Load Estimate

V.        Photovoltaic Theory and Performance

            A.        Principles

            B.        Chemical Makeup

            C.        Characteristics of Modules

            D.        Module Performance

                        1.         Maximum power (Vmp & Imp)

                        2.         Open circuit voltage (Voc)

                        3.         Short circuit current (Isc)

                        4.         Panel specification

            E.         Module Performance Factors

                        1.         Cell material

                        2.         Load resistance

                        3.         Sunlight intensity

                        4.         Cell temperature

                        5.         Shading

VI.       Battery Theory and Sizing

            A.        Battery Types

                        1.         Lead-acid

                                    a.         Liquid vented

                                    b.         Sealed (VRLA-valve regulated lead acid)

                        2.         Alkaline

                                    a.         Nickel-cadmium

                                    b.         Nickel - iron

            B.        Battery Specifications

                        1.         Autonomy (life per charge)

                        2.         Capacity

                        3.         Rate and depth of discharge

                        4.         Life expectancy

                        5.         Environmental conditions

                        6.         State of charge

                        7.         Safety

            C.        Wiring of Batteries

                        1.         Parallel

                        2.         Series/parallel

                        3.         Series

            D.        Sizing of Batteries

VII.      Types of Controllers and Sizing a Controller

            A.        Controller Types

                        1.         Shunt

                        2.         Single-stage series

                        3.         Diversion

                        4.         Pulse width modulation

            B.        Controller Features

                        1.         Over-discharge

                        2.         Maximum power tracking

                        3.         Voltage step down

            C.        Specifying a Controller

                        1.         Direct current (DC) voltage

                        2.         Array amps (Isc)

                        3.         Maximum DC load amps

            D.        Controller Sizing

VIII.     Inverter Operation

            A.        Operating Principles

            B.        Conversion Methods

            C.        Inverter Types

                        1.         Square wave

                        2.         Modified square wave

                        3.         Sign wave

            D.        Inverter Features

                        1.         High efficiency converters (90% or higher)

                        2.         Low stand-by loss

                        3.         Frequency regulation

                        4.         Harmonic distortion

                        5.         Ease of service

                        6.         Reliability

                        7.         Power correction features light weight

            E.         Batteryless Grid-Tied Inverters

            F.         Grid-tied with Battery Back-Up

            G.        Stand-Alone

            H.        AC (Alternating Current) Coupled Systems

            I.          Inverter Sizing

IX.       Wiring Sizing

            A.        Wire Size (National Electrical Code - NEC)

            B.        Wire Sizing

            C.        Overcurrent Protection and Sizing

            D.        System Disconnects

            E.         Grounding

            F.         Surge Protection

X.        Sizing PV (Photovoltaics ) Systems

            A.        Stand Alone

            B.        Grid-Tied

XI.       Installation

            A.        Site Evaluation

            B.        Panel Installation

            C.        Battery Installation

            D.        Controller and Inverter Installation

            E.         System Wiring

            F.         Checking the System

XII.      Safety

            A.        Working with High Voltage

            B.        Electrical and Site Hazards

            C.        Safety Equipment

            D.        First Aid