Lesson 1Sizing and specifying cables and protection: voltage drop, Ampacity, derating, and standards to referenceThis part teaches how to size and pick PV wires and safety tools using current carry, voltage fall, and reduce factors. Learners check key rules and match wires with fuses, breakers, and fit places.
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 looks at crystal and two-side PV panel tech, focusing on work rate, heat act, power allow, and trust. Learners compare sheets and pick right panel types for different weathers and spots.
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 panel electrical parts and IV lines, comparing STC and NOCT marks. Learners use Vmp, Imp, Voc, and Isc to predict array act and make good string plan and inverter match choices.
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 brings in grounding, joining, and lightning safety for rooftop PV. Learners check equal ground joining, surge paths, air-end systems, and a useful list matched with usual local rules and marks.
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 panel and inverter limits, including max DC voltage, MPPT range, and cold heat effects. Learners calculate safe panel counts per string for various weathers and grid rules.
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 big, string, and panel-level inverter choices, showing work rate, trust, care, and setup ease. Learners check trade-offs for home, business, and big PV uses in South Sudan.
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 other-system parts, including wires, joiners, cuts, breakers, ground, and surge safety. Learners link tool works to safety, rule keep, and long trust.
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 setup affects shade bear, mismatch loss, watch detail, and life cost. Learners compare big, string, and panel-level ways using number work and cost marks.
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 looks at panel-level power tools, including better-makers and small inverters. Learners study fit ways, wire hard, watch good, work rate, trust, and usual fail ways in home and work systems.
Optimizer vs microinverter architecturesLayout and mounting best practicesAC and DC wiring topologiesMonitoring, diagnostics, and shutdownCommon failure modes and mitigation
