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This course provides 60 cumulative hours of training, that may be used towards NABCEP certification purposes

Learn how to design a complete solar electric (photovoltaic) power system without leaving your home. A six-week, Internet-based, online course of instruction with text, CD-ROM reference materials and Internet resource links. The course is self-paced and there is no set time to be online. Individuals have six weeks to complete all course requirements and can work on the course material whenever they have time. Assignments can be submitted day or night and during the weekends, etc... See computer system requirements.

This course is for anyone who is interested in learning how to produce their own electricity from the sun. The course will be useful to people seeking employment in the solar energy industry as well as for those seeking to apply solar electricity for their own home. This course starts out with the very basics of electricity, and incrementally accelerates students to safely design and install a code compliant solar-electric (PV) system. PV Design Online provides a strong foundation in grid-tied, grid-tied with battery backup, and stand-alone systems.

PV Design Online participants will learn system sizing, site analysis, hardware specification and component selection. They will also look at the costs of PV systems, learn the importance of energy efficiency, as well as compare economics of alternative PV-Generator hybrid designs. The course covers typical applications and case study examples. Those who are serious about designing their own system or working in the solar industry should also plan to follow this course with Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance. Advanced PV is intended to follow our first tier of workshops with the next level of design criteria, wire sizing calculations, maintenance issues, troubleshooting skill, and more information on batteries, charge controllers and hybrid system.

The Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technologies (CERET) offers certificates in Renewable Energy to provide students with the theoretical knowledge necessary to begin a career in energy management and renewable energy technology. Certificates are granted through Madison Area Technical College (MATC). SEI's online courses qualify for college credits through MATC and towards a Renewable Energy Certificate. Click here for more information on CERET's Renewable Energy Certificates."

Course Materials: Participants will receive a copy of SEI's Photovoltaic Design and Installation Manual, and DVD-rom from Home Power Magazine that contains 20 years of HP articles. Participants (residing in the US and Canada) will also receive a Kill A Watt meter, an electricity usage monitor. This meter allows you to measure how much electricity your appliances consume and how efficient they really are ($60 value). Students residing outside the United States and Canada do not receive a Kill-A-Watt meter with their course materials.

Time Requirements: It will generally take between 8 - 15 hours per week to complete the course. However this is an average/estimate and will vary based on user's computer/internet connection and previous experience/understanding of the subject matter.

Upon successful completion of this course, a participant will be able to:

• Describe the function and performance characteristics of each of the 6 basic components of a photovoltaic power system.
• Determine the energy requirements for any desired application(s).
• Determine the capacity and specifications for each of the components required in a solar electric power system.
• Evaluate the initial cost and comparative economics of alternative system designs.

Topics Include

• PV Applications
• Basics of Electricity
• PV System Components
• Efficient Appliances
• Solar Site Analysis
• PV System Wiring and Over current Protection
• Stand-Alone PV System Sizing
• Grid-Tie System Sizing
• Component Specification
• System Costs and Economics

Photovoltaics: Design & Installation Manual by SEI

2008 National Electric Code by the National Fire Protection Agency

Code Check: Electrical by Redwood Kardon, Douglas Hansen, and Mickeal Casey

Related Workshops:

• PV Design and Installation
• Grid-Tied PV
• Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance
• Advanced PV: Design Criteria and NEC Compliance (online)
• PV Lab Week
• Solar Water Pumping
• Solar Sales, Marketing and Economics
• Solar Electricity for the Developing World

Quotes from Past Participants

Thanks so much for a valuable course! I would highly recommend this course, and have gained much practical information that I can immediately apply.
-- 2007 PV Design Online Course Participant

Great introduction to the world of Photovoltaics! Lots of good information contained in the 6 weeks course! I definitely learned more from this class than in eight months of surfing the internet trying to learn about renewable energy. Thanks SEI!
-- 2007 PV Design Online Course participant

Workshops begin at 9 am unless otherwise noted. Please show up at 8:30 am the first day.