Photovoltaic Program FALL Schedule

If you have questions, please contact us at 303.797.5958.

Intro to Energy Technologies

Art & Design Center Room #2000
ENY 101 (3 credits)
CRN #: 73115

Introduces the energy technologies in use today and those that are in the research stage as possible alternatives. Presents technologies including active solar heating, passive solar heating, wind energy systems, biomass, photovoltaic's, co-generation, low and high head hydro, hydrogen, geothermal, power towers and energy storage systems.
Tuesday, 8/18, Wednesday, 8/19, Thursday, 8/20 - 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.,
Online course work due 9/11.

 

OSHA 10-hour Safety Training

Art & Design Center Room #2010
OSH 127 (1 credit)
CRN #: 73092
10-Hour OSHA certification course for the construction industry. Participants that complete the course will receive a certificate of completion from the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. If you are already certified that fulfills the PV Program requirement.
Saturday, 8/29, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 pm.
Friday, 8/28, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

 

Basics of AC & DC Electricity (formerly Electrical Basics)

Art & Design Center Room #2010
EIC 105 (4 credits)
CRN #: 73108
Focuses on resistance, current, voltage and power in AC and DC circuits; measurements; computations of series and parallel circuits; circuit analysis and troubleshooting with basic test equipment.

Saturday, 9/19, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday, 9/21 and Wednesday, 9/23 - 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Online coursework due 10/9.

Click here to order textbook from ACC Bookstore

Textbook required:

Electrical Principles and Practices 3rd Edition
By: Glen A. Mazur, Peter A. Zurlis ATP Publishers

Textbook and Workbook
ISBN: 978-0-8269-1803-1

 

Solar Photovoltaic Components (formerly PV I)

Art & Design Center Room #2010
ENY 121 (3 credits)
CRN #: 73106
Reinforces basic safety principles and provides detailed knowledge of photovoltaic components. Also covered is an overview of site analysis and special purpose tools. Upon successful conclusion of this course the student will be able to select proper components for a photovoltaic system based on regulatory codes and standards and individual component specifications.
Saturday, 10/10, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday, 10/12, Wednesday, 10/14, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Online coursework due 10/23

Click here to order textbook from ACC Bookstore

Textbook required:

Photovoltaic Systems
By: ATP Publishers

(Required for both ENY 121 and ENY 127)
ISBN: 978-0-8269-1287-9

 

Solar PV System Install (formerly PV II)

Art & Design Center Room #2010
ENY 127 (3 credits)
CRN #: 73107
Emphasizes safe work practices while familiarizing the student with the intricacies of installing a photovoltaic (PV) system. This course takes the student through the process from the initial site survey to system commissioning and culminates installations.
Saturday, 10/24, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday, 10/26, Wednesday, 10/28 -4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Online coursework due 11/6
Wednesday, 11/6,

Click here to order textbook from ACC Bookstore

Textbook required:

Photovoltaic Systems
By: ATP Publishers

(Required for both ENY 121 and ENY 127)
ISBN: 978-0-8269-1287-9

 

Field/Lab Experience

ENY 175 (2 credits)
Professional Liability Insurance and Certification OSHA Safety will be required is required for onsite installations field/lab experience (please contact us at 303.797-5958 for further information).
Locations and Times Vary

 

NABCEP Certificate Of Knowledge Exam

Additional exam fee
Monday, 11/9, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Onsite Installations will require an assessment checklist demonstrating actual hands-on experience including the NABCEP learning objectives. Professional Liability Insurance and OSHA Safety Certification will be required for onsite installations (please contact us at 303.734.3701 for further information).

Below is the PV Program course outline listing learning objectives required for the NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge exam coinciding with courses offered in the PV Program. The NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge will be administered (and is optional) at the end of the PV program for an additional exam fee. For more details on the NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge and learning objectives go to: http://www.nabcep.org/.

USB - Understanding Solar Basics, EB - Electrical Basics, PVI - Photovoltaic Systems I, PVII - Photovoltaic Systems II

PV Markets and Applications
USB History of PV technology and industry
USB Markets and applications for PV (grid-tie, remote homes, telecom, etc)
USB Types of PV systems (direct motor, stand-alone w/ storage, grid-backup, etc.)
USB Key features and benefits of PV with Applications
Safety Basics
PV I Safety hazards of operational and non-operational PV systems
PV I Safety hazards, practices and protective equipment during PV system installation and maintenance
Electricity Basics
EB Differences between electricity and power
EB Basic electrical terms
EB Use of digital multi-meter
EB Calculate simple circuit values
Solar Energy Fundamentals
PV I Basic solar terms
PV I True south from magnetic south given a declination map and compass
PV I Basic solar movement and effect of earth tilt
PV I Predict solar position using solar path diagrams
PV I Angular effects on the irradiance of array
PV I Factors that reduce/enhance solar irradiation
PV I Average solar irradiation on various surfaces
PV I Convert solar irradiation into a variety of units
PV I Effect of horizon on solar irradiation (shading)
PV I Use of Solar Pathfinder or sun charts
PV Module Fundamentals
PV I How a solar cell converts sunlight into electric power
PV I Key points on a typical IV curve
PV I Key output values of solar modules using manufacturer literature
PV I Effect of environmental conditions on IV curve
PV I Effect of series/parallel connections on IV curve
PV I Measurement conditions for solar cells and modules
PV I Expected output values of solar modules under a variety of conditions
PV I The construction of solar cells of various manufacturing technologies
PV I The performance and characteristics of various manufacturing technologies
PV I The components and construction of a typical flat plate solar module
PV I Calculate efficiency of solar module
PV I Purpose and operation of bypass diode
PV I Typical deterioration/failure modes of solar modules
PV I The major qualification tests and standards for solar modules
System Components
PV I The most common solar module mounting techniques
PV I Features and benefits of different solar mounting techniques
PV I The relationship between solar module cell temperature and environmental conditions, given mounting method (e.g.,NOCT)
PV I/PV II Purpose and operation of main electrical BOS components
PV I/PV II Key specifications of main electrical BOS components
PV System Sizing
PV I/PV II Interaction of typical loads with IV curve
PV I/PV II Load demand for stand-alone and grid interactive service
PV I/PV II Typical system electrical output derating factors
PV I/PV II Calculate estimated peak power output (dc and ac)
PV I/PV II Calculate array and inverter size for grid-connected system
PV I/PV II Calculate estimated monthly and annual energy output of grid-connected system
PV I/PV II Relationship between array and battery size for stand-alone systems
PV I/PV II Calculate array, battery and inverter size for stand-alone system
PV System Electrical Design
PV I/PV II Series/parallel PV array arrangement based on module and inverter specifications
PV I/PV II Select BOS components appropriate for specific system requirements
EB/PV I/PV II Voltage drop between major components
PV System Mechanical Design
PV I/PV II The relationship between row spacing of tilted modules and sun angle
PV I/PV II The mechanical loads on a PV array (e.g., wind, snow, seismic)
Performance Analysis and Troubleshooting
PV I/PV II Typical system design errors
PV I/PV II Typical system performance problems
PV I/PV II Associate performance problems with typical causes
PV I/PV II Equipment needed for typical system performance analysis
PV I/PV II Compare actual system power output to expected
PV I/PV II Typical locations for electrical/mechanical failure