20806293Solar Photovoltaic Lab
Course Information
Description
In this hands-on course, students will install one or more fully operational, full-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The course is taught at the Commercial Avenue Campus Solar Training Lab which features pitched roof, flat roof, and pole mount solar PV systems. Students will learn safe workplace practices, electrical code compliance, and interconnection commissioning procedures while working with solar panels, racking systems, DC/AC power inverters and other balance of system components. The course is taught in a hybrid format with an online component and two full days of intensive face-to-face hands-on lab work in order to replicate the type of installation practices and working conditions that are common in the solar industry.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. Implement workplace safety practices
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Identify workplace hazards and perform a site hazard assessment
    Use fall protection equipment to mitigate risks on steep roofs
    Use ladders safely
    Identify electrical shock hazards
    Use lock-out tag-out practices for safe electrical work
    Use electrical gloves, face protection, and other PPE as appropriate

  2. Demonstrate solar PV wiring and wire management techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Distinguish between current carrying conductors, the grounded conductor, and the grounding conductor
    Describe acceptable color codes for various conductors according to industry practice and the National Electric Code
    Explain electrical conductor sizing and the principles behind wire size selection
    Use various types of electrical conductor terminations and connections
    Differentiate between various types of electrical conductors and those suitable for indoor, outdoor, and underground use in a wet location
    Use touch-safe PV cable connectors
    Read a solar PV one-line electrical diagram

  3. Demonstrate solar PV grounding and bonding techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Identify the reasons to ground a system
    Distinguish between electrical circuit (system) grounding and electrical equipment grounding
    Describe how dissimilar metals interact and how this impacts electrical bonding
    Use hardware and materials that are suitable for making various types of grounding and bonding connections

  4. Layout a roof mounted PV system to achieve aesthetic panel orientation and appearance
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Use safe module handling practices
    Use torque wrenches and other tools appropriately
    Use different types of Solar PV Modules and Racking
    Correctly wire solar PV panels to form series strings and to combine parallel circuits
    Describe basic residential roof structures and attachment methods for PV panels
    Demonstrate various techniques for making and sealing roof penetrations

  5. Install PV systems using both DC to AC String Inverters and Micro Inverters
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Use safe processes to verify the electric potential and polarity of a PV system
    Correctly wire combined PV homerun conductors to attach to a central string inverter
    Correctly wire the AC side of a string and/or microinverter to an electrical service panel

  6. Install solar PV disconnect and overcurrent protection devices
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Identify different types of disconnect and overcurrent protection devices
    Describe why and where disconnect devices are required in a solar PV system

  7. Demonstrate solar PV commissioning procedures
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Identify all power sources
    De-energize circuits, remove fuses, and open disconnects and overcurrent protection devices
    Lock-out and tag-out power sources
    Install and terminate solar PV system wiring
    Replace fuses
    Connect PV output circuits and check DC potential and polarity
    Check AC potential and polarity
    Close breakers and switches to energize the system
    Turn on inverter and verify system initialization and energy production

  8. Operate solar PV controls and communication systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Practical Hands-on Lab Activity, Quiz
    Criteria
    Manage data communication conductors and terminations
    Use monitoring software platforms