217 Solar Energy courses

This course covers National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 855 and UL9540 standards as they relate to design and installation considerations, as well as their intersection with the International Fire Code (IFC), International Residential Code (IRC)and NFPA 1 Fire Code. Overview of applicable fire codes Why fire codes matter ESS fire codes evolution over time (1997-2021) Fire code cycles across the U.S. Fire code requirements by cycle (IRC, IFC, NFPA 1) NFPA 855 requirements for ESS (residential and commercial) UL 9540 listing and UL 9540A testing Summary and wrap-up

This course covers important solar-plus-storage design and installation requirements for the most recent iterations of the National Electrical Code (NEC 2017 and 2020). The course is intended for industry professionals who are already familiar with grid-interactive systems but want to understand NEC requirements specific to solar-plus-storage systems as demand for energy storage continues to rise. Introduction to interactive solar and solar+storage systems AC- and DC-coupled energy storage systems Introduction to PV and ESS NEC Articles NEC Article 690 (Sections: 690.12, 690.15, 690.55, 690.56, 690.71) NEC Article 706 NEC Article 705 (Sections: 705.1, 705.13, 705.2, 705.5, 705.6, 705.65, 705.7) NEC Article 480 and Article 710 Common design issues and wrap-up

In this class, we'll review basic PV system types that use battery storage, the various use cases, and we'll take an in-depth look at what metrics are used to compare technologies. We'll discuss features of the most common battery chemistries currently used with PV systems and compare them. We'll look at how battery chemistry impacts battery bank sizing by reviewing a couple of design examples. Finally, we'll use a design example as the basis for a cost comparison of different battery technologies looking at both upfront and life cycle costs.

Common chemistries, including lead acid, lithium ion, and nickel iron, each have different installation, maintenance, storage, and transportation requirements that can lead to fatal consequences if not conducted properly. This 8-hr online course, produced under an OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant, provides training on the hazards associated with each energy storage technology and the control measures to eliminate or mitigate those hazards. This training includes five lessons for a total of 4 contact training hours. Lessons includes presentations, field videos, interactive exercises, and quizzes. Lesson content includes Lesson 1: Introduction to the Course and OSHA requirements Lesson 2: Energy Storage Technologies- Energy storage basics, lead-acid energy storage systems, lithium-ion energy storage, other types of electrochemical energy storage systems Lesson 3: Energy Storage Safety Regulations- OSHA safety regulations, NFPA 70 (the National Electrical Code) and NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace) NFPA 855 (Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems), the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) Lesson 4: Electrical Hazards- Electrical shock hazards, electrical arc flash hazards, electrical PPE, electrical connection hazards Lesson 5: Other Hazards- Chemical hazards, fire hazards, gas hazards, physical hazards, storage and transportation hazards, temperature effects on batteries, working space and clean installations

This short course is targeted towards beginning users, and will show you in detail how to get started creating accurate production estimates for any size PV system, from residential to large-scale. Learn how to find and import the correct meteorological data, create system variants for any size system, and accurately define the orientation, shading scene, and detailed system losses. By the end of this course you will be confidently simulating production and printing reports to share.

After completing this course, participants will be able to: Contrast the difference between types of Electric Vehicles (EV) including Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). Describe the various commercial and industrial EV in the marketplace and their charging equipment requirements. Demonstrate awareness of the various terminologies used throughout the EV industry to describe equipment supplying energy to charge EV. Describe the difference between AC Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), DC charging equipment, and wireless EV charging. Explain the benefits of conducting a site assessment and what should be considered when installing Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment (EVCE). Demonstrate an awareness of specific utility and municipal requirements for the installation of EVCE.

Thermal inspections of PV arrays specifically can safely provide fast and accurate information regarding system health. We will present the fundamental theories and considerations for proper thermal camera use including the various applications in solar operations and maintenance (O&M) and how to read test images. We will also review several IR cameras that are commercially available and commonly used in PV inspections. Drones are another tool whose use in PV installation and inspection has increased in recent years. We will discuss the fundamentals of drones and discuss considerations when selecting a drone for commercial use. Drones can be used in a variety of applications: to obtain site information pre-sale; site or system mapping; during and after installation to determine progress; and finally to perform aerial thermographic inspections. Examples of the latter will be looked at and assessed in this course. We will introduce licensure requirements as well as common models of drones - and price points - that are commercially available which can be used in PV applications.

Join SEI for this on-demand online solar training session. Online registration provides 60 days of access to the training. Once you have viewed and completed the online on-demand training session, you can print a Record of Completion that reflects the NABCEP CE Hours. Questions? call 970-527-7657 option 1

This training includes four (4) three-hour lessons, for a total of 12 contact training hours. Each lesson will include presentations, videos, interactive exercises, and a quiz. 1- Ladder and Lift Safety: In this lesson, we learn about different ladder options and how to choose the appropriate ladder(s) for a PV installation, based on the specific job site and task (accessing different roof surfaces, running conduit, etc.). We discuss how to properly inspect, set up and use ladders, and through interactive exercises we evaluate different installation sites to determine the best location to set up an extension ladder to access the PV array. In the second part of this lesson, we identify equipment and methods for safely lifting PV modules (and other materials) to the roof, including ladder lifts, boom lifts, reach forklifts, scaffolding, and cranes. 2- Fall Protection: Here, we review OSHA fall protection requirements and present different equipment options for working safely AND efficiently on a PV job site. We discuss the differences between fall restraint, positioning, and fall arrest systems; look at different anchor options for roof surfaces commonly seen on PV installations; and via interactive exercises determine where to place those anchors on the roof. 3- PV Mounting Safety: In this lesson, we identify job site hazards specific to PV mounting work, from array layout through securing modules to the racking system. We go step-by-step through a roof-mounted PV installation and call out ways to eliminate and/or control hazards through safe work practices, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Through interactive exercises and videos, we show best practice methods to safely handle PV equipment and manage small parts on a sloped roof. 4- Solar Electric Safety: In the final lesson of this series, we take an in-depth look at electrical hazards specific to PV installation and maintenance work, and discuss the requirements of OSHA, the NEC, and NFPA 70E to assure safe working conditions. We discuss shock and arc flash hazards and identify protective measures (including PPE and lockout / tagout). We dive even further into lockout / tagout and safe electrical testing methods in our interactive exercises and videos.

Modeling is a complicated topic - and performance calculation tools offer nearly endless “knobs” to turn, any of which can impact the projected production. A fundamental understanding of what goes on “behind the scenes” is important to be able to make the right decisions when selecting data, adjusting system assumptions and de-rates, and comparing results so you can be confident when you make a production prediction or design choice. Don't worry, the heavy math is left to the modeling tool! Topics include: Examining and applying the core calculations used to predict production of PV arrays Comparing the various modeling programs on the market, and their different approaches Interpreting simulation results from performance models Relating how system design choices impact the production of the array Join Paul Grana, co-founder of Folsom Labs and the HelioScope modeling and design tool, for an in-depth look at PV system performance modeling in four Parts: Introduction and System Design Environment Assumptions and Irradiance Calculations Module Modeling and System Behavior Simulation Results and Model Comparison