Lesson 1Sizing and specifying cables and protection: voltage drop, Ampacity, derating, and standards to referenceDis section teach how fi size an specify PV cables an protective devices usin ampacity, voltage drop, an deratin factors. Learners reference key standards an coordinate conductors wid fuses, breakers, an installation environments.
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 toleranceDis section review crystalline an bifacial PV module technologies, focusin on efficiency, temperature behavior, power tolerance, an reliability. Learners compare datasheets an select appropriate module types fi different climates an sites.
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 designDis section explain key module electrical parameters an IV curves, contrastin STC an NOCT ratings. Learners use Vmp, Imp, Voc, an Isc fi predict array behavior an make informed string design an inverter matchin decisions.
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 PVDis section introduce earthing, bondin, an lightning protection fi rooftop PV. Learners review equipotential bondin, surge paths, air-termination systems, an a practical checklist aligned wid typical local regulations an 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 correctionDis section detail string sizin usin module an inverter limits, includin maximum DC voltage, MPPT window, an cold-temperature effects. Learners calculate safe module counts per string fi various climates an grid codes.
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 microinvertersDis section compare central, string, an module-level inverter options, highlightin efficiency, reliability, O&M, an layout flexibility. Learners evaluate tradeoffs fi residential, commercial, an utility-scale PV applications.
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 devicesDis section cover DC an AC balance-of-system components, includin wirin, combiners, disconnects, breakers, groundin, an surge protection. Learners relate device functions fi safety, code compliance, an long-term reliability.
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 costDis section explain how inverter topology affect shadin tolerance, mismatch losses, monitorin detail, an lifecycle cost. Learners compare central, string, an module-level approaches usin quantitative performance an cost metrics.
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 modesDis section examine module-level power electronics, includin optimizers an microinverters. Learners study installation practices, wirin complexity, monitorin benefits, efficiency, reliability, an typical failure modes in residential an C&I systems.
Optimizer vs microinverter architecturesLayout and mounting best practicesAC and DC wiring topologiesMonitoring, diagnostics, and shutdownCommon failure modes and mitigation
