Lesson 1Sizing and specifying cables and protection: voltage drop, Ampacity, derating, and standards to referenceThis section teaches how to size and specify PV cables and protective devices using ampacity, voltage drop, and derating factors. Learners reference key standards and coordinate conductors with fuses, breakers, and installation environments in SA.
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 section reviews crystalline and bifacial PV module technologies, focusing on efficiency, temperature behaviour, power tolerance, and reliability. Learners compare datasheets and select appropriate module types for different climates and sites in South Africa.
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 section 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 locally.
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 section introduces earthing, bonding, and lightning protection for rooftop PV. Learners review equipotential bonding, surge paths, air-termination systems, and a practical checklist aligned with typical local regulations and standards in South Africa.
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 section 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 SA.
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 section 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 South Africa.
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 section 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 local installs.
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 section 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 SA.
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 section 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 SA.
Optimizer vs microinverter architecturesLayout and mounting best practicesAC and DC wiring topologiesMonitoring, diagnostics, and shutdownCommon failure modes and mitigation
