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Use aerial drones and photogrammetric data to design and model the performance of a solar PV system
Assessment Strategies
Skill Demonstration, Written Product, and/or Verbal
Criteria
Apply aviation authority guidelines to the operation of remote aircraft outdoors in controlled and uncontrolled airspace
Distinguish between commercial and non-commercial operation of a drone aircraft
Describe how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings impact photographic exposure
Describe the requirements for photographic angles and overlap to produce a quality 3D model of a
building, its rooftop, and surrounding obstructions
Identify environmental factors that may impact the accuracy of shadow analysis in the 3D model
Conduct a pre-flight site survey to identify physical hazards (power lines, trees, antennas) and electromagnetic interference that may affect drone accuracy
Utilize calibration techniques to ensure the model’s measurements are accurate within a specified tolerance
Program an aerial drone controller to fly an orbital flight path
Use software to estimate electrical production of a solar PV system using a 3D model of a building
Identify additional actions and steps necessary to acquire an FAA Part107 Remote Pilot License
Demonstrate professional ethics regarding data privacy
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Assess integration of solar photovoltaics with energy storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Assessment Strategies
Skill Demonstration, Written Product, and/or Verbal
Criteria
Optimize client energy costs through utility rate analysis and predictive load modeling
Describe electric utility billing mechanisms such as time of use rates, seasonal rates, monthly demand, annual maximum demand, coincident peak demand, power factor, and load factor charges
Predict solar output by estimating the daily, monthly, and annual electrical generation for a solar PV System
Compare estimated solar PV generation data with a client’s electric bill and load profile
Estimate the additional electric load for level 1, 2, and 3 Electric Vehicle supply and charging equipment
Use predictive models
Size an energy storage system necessary to shift electric loads for a client with time of use utility billing
Size an energy storage system necessary to shave peak demand for a client with utility demand charge billing
Size an energy storage system necessary to supply reactive power and reduce a client’s power factor charges
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Analyze solar PV monitoring data to evaluate system performance and diagnose technical issues
Assessment Strategies
Skill Demonstration, Written Product, and/or Verbal
Criteria
Use data analytics, infrared cameras, and IV Curve tracers
Assess the condition of an existing solar PV system
Document maintenance needs
Locate solar PV monitoring data to examine solar yields, check for system alerts, and pinpoint possible sources of underperformance
Use infrared photography to obtain thermographic images of a solar PV array
Analyze thermographic images to identify hotspots in a solar PV array for troubleshooting
Measure the current and voltage of a PV module to create a solar IV curve
Explain the key points on a solar IV curve (Voc, Isc, Pmax, Vmp, Imp)
Compare IV curves measured in the field to those specified by the manufacturer
Identify defects/distortions in IV curves and suggest possible causes