20806296Advanced Solar Photovoltaic Technology
Course Information
Description
This course provides a deeper exploration of solar photovoltaic technology, tools, and equipment used for clean energy site assessment, operations, and maintenance. Skills learned will include use of aerial drones, photogrammetric imaging, IV curve tracers, and infrared thermal cameras, along with data analytics to characterize system performance.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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