Lesson 1Sizing and specifying cables and protection: voltage drop, Ampacity, derating, and standards to referenceThis part teaches how to size and specify PV cables and protective devices using ampacity, voltage drop, and derating factors. Learners reference key standards and match conductors with fuses, breakers, and installation settings in Gambia.
Conductor materials and insulation typesAmpacity, grouping, and temperature deratingVoltage drop limits and cable lengthFuse and breaker selection for stringsRelevant IEC and NEC cable standardsLesson 2PV module types and characteristics: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, bifacial, temperature coefficients and power toleranceThis part reviews crystalline and bifacial PV module technologies, focusing on efficiency, temperature behaviour, power tolerance, and reliability. Learners compare datasheets and select suitable module types for different climates and sites in Gambia.
Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline modulesBifacial modules and albedo conditionsTemperature coefficients and hot climatesPower tolerance and binning strategiesDegradation rates and warranty termsLesson 3Module electrical parameters: Vmp, Imp, Voc, Isc, STC vs NOCT, IV curves and implication for string designThis part explains key module electrical parameters and IV curves, contrasting STC and NOCT ratings. Learners use Vmp, Imp, Voc, and Isc to predict array behaviour and make informed string design and inverter matching decisions in Gambia.
STC vs NOCT ratings and test conditionsVoc, Vmp, Isc, and Imp definitionsReading and interpreting IV curvesEffect of irradiance and temperatureImplications for string and inverter designLesson 4Earthing and lightning protection basics and local regulatory checklist for rooftop PVThis part introduces earthing, bonding, and lightning protection for rooftop PV in Gambia. Learners review equipotential bonding, surge paths, air-termination systems, and a practical checklist aligned with local regulations and standards.
Functional vs protective earthingBonding of modules and mounting railsLightning risk assessment basicsAir terminals, down conductors, and SPDsRegulatory and inspection checklistsLesson 5String sizing: maximum input voltage, MPPT voltage window, number of modules per string, and cold-temperature correctionThis part details string sizing using module and inverter limits, including maximum DC voltage, MPPT window, and cold-temperature effects. Learners calculate safe module counts per string for various climates and grid codes in Gambia.
Reading inverter DC input specificationsUsing module Voc and temperature dataCold-temperature voltage correctionMPPT window and operating marginsTools and spreadsheets for string sizingLesson 6Inverter options and tradeoffs: central/string inverters, string inverters with DC optimizers, and microinvertersThis part compares central, string, and module-level inverter options, highlighting efficiency, reliability, O&M, and layout flexibility. Learners evaluate tradeoffs for residential, commercial, and utility-scale PV applications in Gambia.
Central inverters for large ground-mountsString inverters for rooftop systemsString inverters with DC optimizersMicroinverters for module-level ACRedundancy, availability, and serviceabilityLesson 7Balance-of-System (BOS): DC wiring, fuses, combiners, DC disconnect, AC breaker, AC combiner, earthing/grounding and protective devicesThis part covers DC and AC balance-of-system components, including wiring, combiners, disconnects, breakers, grounding, and surge protection. Learners relate device functions to safety, code compliance, and long-term reliability in Gambia.
DC cable routing and segregation rulesString combiners and overcurrent protectionDC disconnects and isolation requirementsAC breakers, panels, and labelingEarthing, bonding, and fault pathsSurge protective devices for PV arraysLesson 8Choosing inverter topology considering partial shading, mismatch, monitoring, and costThis part explains how inverter topology affects shading tolerance, mismatch losses, monitoring detail, and lifecycle cost. Learners compare central, string, and module-level approaches using quantitative performance and cost metrics for Gambia.
Mismatch and partial shading loss mechanismsCentral vs string vs module-level layoutsMonitoring granularity and data needsCAPEX, OPEX, and LCOE comparisonsDesigning for future expansion and retrofitsLesson 9Module-level power electronics: optimizers and microinverters—installation, performance, wiring complexity and failure modesThis part examines module-level power electronics, including optimizers and microinverters. Learners study installation practices, wiring complexity, monitoring benefits, efficiency, reliability, and typical failure modes in residential and C&I systems in Gambia.
Optimizer vs microinverter architecturesLayout and mounting best practicesAC and DC wiring topologiesMonitoring, diagnostics, and shutdownCommon failure modes and mitigation
