EAS-SG

Solar Charging Course

The Solar Charging Course is a hands-on design and installation course for understanding the basic principals of a working photovoltaic (PV) system.

Training Goal: To educate students in the design and installation of PV systems. The course describes both grid-interactive and stand alone designs.

The class will learn the techniques used in designing and installing solar electric equipment and their interface with the existing electrical grid.

Students will use basic mechanical and design skills and knowledge, supplemented by the Electric Auto Shop Solar Course, to complete the training. No special engineering skills are necessary.

The format for this course is 23 specific lesson plans in a four module format with test questions and additional activities for each section. Video on DVD is used to demonstrate the hands-on activities taking place in the training. The timeline to complete the class is one school semester.

Objectives: Electric Auto Shop Solar Design Course will help students understand the design and installation of basic solar charging technology. Students will emerge will skills necessary to become solar installation technicians.

Students will be able to identify the major components of a photovoltaic system.
Students will design a project-specific photovoltaic system.
Students will understand the electrical grid interface of photovoltaics.
Students will be able to maintain and repair the photovoltaic system.
At the conclusion of the course the class will have skills necessary to advance to further photvoltaic training or perform as system installation technicians.

Materials included in the curriculum:

Working Photovoltaic System
23 Educational Units in 4 Modules with Lesson Plans
Instructional DVD with 44 video segments
55 Slide PowerPoint Presentation
Training Evaluation Form

Module 1: Introduction to Solar Photovoltaic Technology

Unit A: Basic Principles in System Design
Unit B: Installation Sequence

Module 2: System Design Considerations

Unit C: Typical Designs and Options
Unit D: Grid Interactive Design without Battery Backup
Unit E: Grid Interactive Design with Battery Backup
Unit F: Mounting Option Considerations
Unit G: Roof Mounting
Unit H: Shade Structure Mounting
Unit I: Building Integrated Array
Unit J: Estimating System Output
Unit K: Installation Labor Estimating
Unit L: Using Incentives for Cost Reduction
Unit M: Energy Savings Calculations
Unit N: Supplier and System Qualifications

Module 3: Project Coordination

Unit O: Utility Considerations
Unit P: System Permitting and Acceptance
Unit Q: Performance Evaluation
Unit R: System Documentation
Unit S: System Monitoring

Module 4: System Installation

Unit T: Materials Recommendations
Unit U: Equipment Recommendations
Unit V: Final Design and Installation Sequences
Unit W: System Maintenance

Appendix A: Safety Checklists

Appendix B: Tools

Appendix C: MSDS Sheets

Appendix D: Tests

Appendix E: Schematics

Single school license of the Electric Auto Shop Solar Charging Course with working components is $3,500. Please call or email for details 888-881-8404. View a video sample.