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Analyze the function of solar photovoltaic materials and their incorporation in photovoltaic modules
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz
Criteria
Distinguish between electrical insulators, conductors, and semi-conductors
Distinguish between n-type and p-type semiconductors
Describe the characteristics of a p-n junction diode
Describe the function of a solar photovoltaic cell
Describe the difference between silicon, CdTe, and CIGS, photovoltaic materials
Differentiate between monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous silicon materials
Identify the various components of a photovoltaic module
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Analyze basic measures of electrical quantities (Electric Potential, Current, and Power) and their use in selecting solar photovoltaic equipment
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz
Criteria
Identify the quantities of electric potential, current, resistance and Ohm’s law
Convert between various units of electrical measurements
Use Ohm’s and Watt’s Law to solve simple electrical problems
Differentiate between electrical energy and electric power
Convert between various units of energy and power
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Explain the function of electrical components of a solar photovoltaic system
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz, Oral Presentation
Criteria
Differentiate between AC and DC current
Describe the function of a DC to AC string inverter
Describe the function of DC to AC microinverter
Describe the function of a DC optimizer
Explain the function and requirements for different types of overcurrent protection devices
Explain the function and requirements for different types electrical disconnect devices
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Examine solar irradiance and the impact of time of day, seasons and local weather patterns
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz
Criteria
Describe the wavelength and frequency of the solar spectrum
Differentiate between irradiance and illuminance
Use and convert between various measures of irradiance (W/m^2 and BTU/ft^2)
Describe how irradiance varies over the course of a day
Describe how irradiance varies with season
Describe the behavior of the sun on the equinoxes, solstices, and the time between those dates
Describe how weather patterns influence irradiance at the Earth’s Surface
Define the astronomical solar window and the practical photovoltaic solar window
Define Standard Test Conditions (STC) for solar photovoltaic panels
Describe how STC conditions might vary from actual conditions at a given location
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Assess potential of given site for generation of solar electricity
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz
Criteria
Describe the wavelength and frequency of the solar spectrum
Differentiate between irradiance and illuminance
Use and convert between various measures of irradiance (W/m^2 and BTU/ft^2)
Describe how irradiance varies over the course of a day
Describe how irradiance varies with season
Describe the behavior of the sun on the equinoxes, solstices, and the time between those dates
Describe how weather patterns influence irradiance at the Earth’s Surface
Define the astronomical solar window and the practical photovoltaic solar window
Define Standard Test Conditions (STC) for solar photovoltaic panels
Describe how STC conditions might vary from actual conditions at a given location
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Determine electrical loads
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz
Criteria
Calculate the energy and power consumption of an electrical devices to develop a load profile for a residence or business place
Identify the components and various charges found on a typical electric utility bill
Use utility bill information to develop a load profile for a residence or business place
Calculations are accurate
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Design solar photovoltaic system for given application
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz
Criteria
Specify a system to satisfy designated electrical load
Select components to integrate solar modules, inverters, and other balance of system hardware
Perform string sizing calculations to determine the electric potential and currents
Use winter low and summer high temperature data to determine the effect on open circuit potential (Voc), and compare this result with specifications for inverter hardware
Use Helioscope, Energy Toolbox, SAM, or similar software to design and model a PV system for a given application
Determine peak power output and estimated energy losses for the system
Determine estimated annual energy production
Compare power and energy generated with the load profile of the selected application
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Estimate installation cost and determine economic payback for a solar photovoltaic system
Assessment Strategies
Written Product, Quiz
Criteria
Estimate materials costs based on available list prices
Estimate labor cost based on local prevailing wage estimates
Estimate available cash incentives or tax credits
Calculate a simple payback period and return on investment
Differentiate between electrical generation “in front of” and “behind the meter”
Determine the value of solar electricity for a given electric rate structure based on net metering policies and published utility tariffs
Calculations are accurate and/or within range as specified