Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Introduces the considerations for Solar Photovoltaic panel array installations. Successful completion ofthis course does not replace licensing requirements by local, state, and city authorities. Completeinstallation of Solar Photovoltaic modular arrays requires the correct Oregon Electrical License.

Upon successful completion students should be able to:Site and align Solar Photovoltaic modular arraysApply different mounting options to Solar Photovoltaic modular arraysApply the practices of the National Electric Code and state and city building codes, to the installation and wiring of Solar Photovoltaic modular arraysWork safely on and around Solar Photovoltaic modular arrays

After an introduction to basic electrical theory, power generation and distribution, safety guidelines, and licensing requirements, students will explore the principles of site assessment, solar window, array angle, array mounting options, grid tie, grid tie with battery, and stand-alone Solar Photovoltaic modular arrays and their components coupled with appropriate hands on opportunities in the classroom/lab.

Students will complete a whole class project working a site scenario from start to finish of a residential grid-tie Solar Photovoltaic system that includes assessing the site, designing the system, choosing an appropriate mounting option, and applying the National Electrical, Code, state and city codes to the installation and wiring of the system.

1. Basic electrical theory and power distribution2. Types of Solar Photovoltaic systems and renewable electrical energy sources3. Electrical and construction safety4. Overall site assessment and array angle5. Grid tie, Grid tie with battery backup, and stand-alone systems6. Solar Photovoltaic system components7. Array mounting options8. Residential systems9. Requirements of the National Electrical Code and state and local codes10. Whole class Solar Photovoltaic project