207 Courses in Birmingham delivered On Demand

Students who complete the PV201L workshop will be able to: Perform power and energy calculations Obtain and apply specifications for PV modules and determine their performance given various environmental and operating conditions Safely operate various types of digital multimeters Diagram and determine the power, current, and voltage characteristics of PV modules in different series and parallel configurations Install various mounting systems (ground, pole, roof, and trackers). Decipher balance-of-system equipment specification sheets to determine the critical information needed for system design Install a residential grid-direct system including the array, inverter, circuit conductors, and overcurrent protection Safely operate equipment grounding, system grounding, and components and conductors used for grounding Work with wires and components on schematics of residential grid-direct systems: disconnects, inverter, equipment grounding conductors, ungrounded conductors, grounded conductors, the grounding electrode(s), and the AC and DC system grounds Identify potential safety hazards and demonstrate the proper use of personal protective equipment for working on grid-direct PV systems List the order of installation, commissioning, and decommissioning of a grid-direct PV system Note: This class is a great complement to PV301L, the Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based).

Students who complete the PV201L workshop will be able to: Perform power and energy calculations Obtain and apply specifications for PV modules and determine their performance given various environmental and operating conditions Safely operate various types of digital multimeters Diagram and determine the power, current, and voltage characteristics of PV modules in different series and parallel configurations Install various mounting systems (ground, pole, roof, and trackers). Decipher balance-of-system equipment specification sheets to determine the critical information needed for system design Install a residential grid-direct system including the array, inverter, circuit conductors, and overcurrent protection Safely operate equipment grounding, system grounding, and components and conductors used for grounding Work with wires and components on schematics of residential grid-direct systems: disconnects, inverter, equipment grounding conductors, ungrounded conductors, grounded conductors, the grounding electrode(s), and the AC and DC system grounds Identify potential safety hazards and demonstrate the proper use of personal protective equipment for working on grid-direct PV systems List the order of installation, commissioning, and decommissioning of a grid-direct PV system Note: This class is a great complement to PV301L, the Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based). This Women's Solar Electric Lab Week is powered by:

Syllabus: Holistic Protection and Energetic Practices Course Overview This course introduces essential spiritual practices for grounding, protection, and clearing. These skills create a foundation for personal and energetic stability, enhancing focus, clarity, and resilience. Through visualisation, meditation, and energy exercises, students will develop a profound understanding of grounding techniques, protective boundaries, and clearing practices.  Module 1: Grounding - Core Techniques: Visualise roots or boulders for grounding; use the tree visualisation for strength. - Daily Application: Practical tips for staying present and connected. - Reflection: Journaling prompts to track emotional and physical responses. Module 2: Protection - Creating Boundaries: Use protective visualisations like light shields and cloaks. - Protective Tools: Elemental circles, crystals (e.g., black tourmaline), and symbols (Ankh, Eye of Horus). - Invocation Practices: Call upon Archangels and guides for energetic support. - Reflection: Journaling to observe the effects of protection techniques. Module 3: Clearing - Clearing Practices: Techniques for personal and environmental energy clearing. - Crystal Grids: Setup for maintaining energetic cleanliness. - Advanced Visualisations: Use the violet flame for thorough cleansing. - Reflection: Journaling on the experience of clearing exercises.

Students who complete PV202 will be able to: Define the purpose of the National Electrical Code (NEC®) and NEC® terminology for PV equipment Determine procedures for proper installation of equipment and conductors, including minimum requirements for working space Examine methods for PV wire management and determine where expansion fittings are required Describe and identify electrical services, including split-phase and three-phase Wye (Y) and Delta (∆) Evaluate electrical service details to collect and record during solar site evaluation Identify options for NEC®-compliant PV system interconnection to the utility grid and determine whether a supply side, load side, or additional service connection is appropriate Identify code-compliant methods for connecting an inverter to an existing AC feeder Calculate PV module voltage based on temperature to ensure compatibility with system components and NEC® Section 690.7, and explore other options for maximum PV system DC voltage calculations Identify NEC® requirements and sizing of disconnects and overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) in grid-direct PV systems Define inverter grounding configurations Evaluate inverter choices and system configurations, including string inverters, central inverters, and module level power electronics (MLPE) Identify requirements for equipment grounding, equipment grounding conductors (EGC), and grounding electrode conductors (GEC), and size the conductors according to the NEC® Identify common causes of ground-faults and arc-faults Describe ground-fault and arc-fault protection devices Describe benefits and appropriate locations of surge protection devices (SPD) Demonstrate the use of sun charts and perform calculations to determine row spacing and minimize inter-row shading Identify how Codes detailing access for first responders impact PV array roof layout Examine fire classifications that affect racking and module selection Detail NEC rapid shutdown requirements and options for implementation Identify load and structural considerations for low- and steep-slope roof-mounted PV systems Calculate wind uplift force and select appropriate lag bolts Review issues related to planning, design, and installation of ground-mount PV arrays Review PV system circuit terminology, definitions, and conductor types Calculate minimum overcurrent protection device (OCPD) size and conductor ampacity using appropriate adjustment and correction factors Calculate voltage drop and verify system operation within acceptable limits Examine requirements for PV system labeling Calculate the maximum and minimum number of modules per PV source circuit, and number of PV source circuits per inverter Determine size of residential grid-direct PV system based on site and customer-specific considerations including the number and wiring layout of modules, conductor and OCPD sizes, and the AC interconnections Determine the size of a large, multiple inverter, grid-direct PV system based on site and customer-specific considerations, including the quantity and layout of modules and inverters and the AC interconnection Define large-scale PV and review associated NEC® allowances and requirements Describe importance of Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) Identify common DAS equipment and hardware Review DAS design, installation, and commissioning processes and common problems associated with DAS Show how reports can be generated and utilized to remotely assess health of system

Students who complete PVOL202 will be able to: Define the purpose of the National Electrical Code (NEC®) and NEC® terminology for PV equipment Determine procedures for proper installation of equipment and conductors, including minimum requirements for working space Examine methods for PV wire management and determine where expansion fittings are required Describe and identify electrical services, including split-phase and three-phase Wye (Y) and Delta (∆) Evaluate electrical service details to collect and record during solar site evaluation Identify options for NEC®-compliant PV system interconnection to the utility grid and determine whether a supply side, load side, or additional service connection is appropriate Identify code-compliant methods for connecting an inverter to an existing AC feeder Calculate PV module voltage based on temperature to ensure compatibility with system components and NEC® Section 690.7, and explore other options for maximum PV system DC voltage calculations Identify NEC® requirements and sizing of disconnects and overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) in grid-direct PV systems Define inverter grounding configurations Evaluate inverter choices and system configurations, including string inverters, central inverters, and module level power electronics (MLPE) Identify requirements for equipment grounding, equipment grounding conductors (EGC), and grounding electrode conductors (GEC), and size the conductors according to the NEC® Identify common causes of ground-faults and arc-faults Describe ground-fault and arc-fault protection devices Describe benefits and appropriate locations of surge protection devices (SPD) Demonstrate the use of sun charts and perform calculations to determine row spacing and minimize inter-row shading Identify how Codes detailing access for first responders impact PV array roof layout Examine fire classifications that affect racking and module selection Detail NEC rapid shutdown requirements and options for implementation Identify load and structural considerations for low- and steep-slope roof-mounted PV systems Calculate wind uplift force and select appropriate lag bolts Review issues related to planning, design, and installation of ground-mount PV arrays Review PV system circuit terminology, definitions, and conductor types Calculate minimum overcurrent protection device (OCPD) size and conductor ampacity using appropriate adjustment and correction factors Calculate voltage drop and verify system operation within acceptable limits Examine requirements for PV system labeling Calculate the maximum and minimum number of modules per PV source circuit, and number of PV source circuits per inverter Determine size of residential grid-direct PV system based on site and customer-specific considerations including the number and wiring layout of modules, conductor and OCPD sizes, and the AC interconnections Determine the size of a large, multiple inverter, grid-direct PV system based on site and customer-specific considerations, including the quantity and layout of modules and inverters and the AC interconnection Define large-scale PV and review associated NEC® allowances and requirements Describe importance of Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) Identify common DAS equipment and hardware Review DAS design, installation, and commissioning processes and common problems associated with DAS Show how reports can be generated and utilized to remotely assess health of system

Multimode system configurations Load analysis and battery bank sizing PV array sizing Specifying multimode inverters Advanced multimode functions Code compliance, best practices, and installation considerations Charge controllers for multimode systems DC coupled multimode battery backup design example AC coupled system design considerations AC coupled multimode battery backup design example Energy Storage Systems (ESS) overview ESS residential sizing example Large-scale multimode system design and use cases   Note: SEI recommends working closely with a qualified person and/or taking PV 202 for more information on conductor sizing, electrical panel specification, and grounding systems. These topics will part of this course, but they are not the focus.

Stand-alone system configurations Charge controller and array considerations RV system design example DC lighting system design example Clinic system design example Code compliance and best practices for stand-alone systems Advanced battery-based inverters Generator sizing DC coupled stand-alone residential system design example AC coupled stand-alone microgrid system design example Large-scale microgrid considerations and case studies Flooded battery maintenance considerations Stand-alone PV system commissioning and maintenance Note: SEI recommends working closely with a qualified person and/or taking PV 202 for more information on conductor sizing, electrical panel specification, and grounding systems. These topics will part of this course, but they are not the focus.

Updates to rapid shutdown requirements for PV systems on buildings. Updates to grounding requirements for PV systems. Introduction to 4 entirely new articles: Energy Storage, Stand-alone Systems, DC Microgrids, and Large-Scale PV Electric Power Production Facilities. Updates to system disconnects and associated labeling New requirements for battery-based PV systems, both stand-alone and interactive. Additional changes in Articles 690 and 705, as well as other relevant Articles.

Helpful tools and products used in the solar industry Residential installation tips Commercial solar installation examples Transformerless inverter installations Grid-tie with battery backup design and installation Off-grid design considerations Load side taps Grounding Ballasted roof top system design Ground mount design Custom racking Wiring methods New technologies Battery box construction

Solar Energy International discusses the following topics: Are you are using the best temperature data to calculate maximum system voltage? Have you reviewed new requirements for labeling, marking and routing conductors? 2011 grounding and bonding requirements have been greatly simplified! Wondering about the DC arc-fault protection devices now required? Don't forget that PV source and output fuses now require disconnects within sight! SEI instructors Brian Mehalic and Rebekah Hren also discuss the following topics: The code-making process, looking to 2014, Articles 90.1(B) and 110.3, 690.4(B) Qualified persons 690.8(B)(1) and (2) Overcurrent devices and conductor ampacity 690.13 Exception 2 - Disconnecting means - all conductors 690.31(E) DC circuits inside a building - Type MC, distance from decking, marking 705.12(A) Size limits of parallel production sources