Solar Panel Installation Course

Lesson 1 • Solar System Configurations

Introduces grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid system architectures. Provides context for understanding installation scope and component selection.

Lesson 2 • Market Trends and Growth Drivers

Examines residential, commercial, and utility-scale market segments and adoption trends. Contextualises the economic opportunity behind professional solar installation.

Lesson 3 • Industry Roles and Career Pathways

Maps the solar workforce from installers to engineers and project managers. Helps students position their training within real career trajectories.

Lesson 4 • Types of Solar Technologies

Compares monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film panel technologies. Enables informed product selection decisions throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Reading Electrical Diagrams

Trains students to interpret single-line diagrams and wiring schematics. Essential for following installation plans and communicating with engineers.

Lesson 2 • Core Electrical Concepts

Teaches voltage, current, resistance, and power using Ohm's Law. Forms the mathematical backbone for all system sizing and wiring decisions.

Lesson 3 • Test Equipment and Measurements

Introduces multimeters, clamp meters, and insulation testers used on solar jobs. Students gain confidence measuring live and de-energised circuits accurately.

Lesson 4 • Electrical Safety Principles

Covers shock hazards, arc flash risks, and lockout/tagout procedures. Establishes non-negotiable safety behaviours before any hands-on work begins.

Lesson 1 • Inverters and Power Conversion

Compares string, microinverter, and power optimizer topologies and their trade-offs. Guides inverter selection based on shading, layout, and monitoring needs.

Lesson 2 • Solar Panels and Datasheets

Decodes panel datasheets including STC ratings, temperature coefficients, and IV curves. Enables accurate performance prediction and string sizing.

Lesson 3 • Racking and Mounting Systems

Covers roof-mount, ground-mount, and ballasted racking options and their structural requirements. Connects mounting choice to roof type, load limits, and aesthetics.

Lesson 4 • Wiring, Conduit, and Overcurrent Protection

Specifies wire gauges, conduit types, fuses, and breakers for PV applications. Ensures students select code-compliant conductors and protection devices.

Lesson 1 • Design Documentation and Permit Packages

Assembles site plans, electrical diagrams, and equipment specifications into a permit package. Prepares students to submit complete applications to authorities having jurisdiction.

Lesson 2 • Load Analysis and System Sizing

Calculates customer energy consumption and sizes the PV array to meet production goals. Balances system size against roof space, budget, and utility constraints.

Lesson 3 • String Sizing and Array Layout

Applies inverter voltage windows and temperature-corrected string calculations to design arrays. Produces a compliant string configuration and panel layout drawing.

Lesson 4 • Roof and Structural Assessment

Evaluates roof material, age, pitch, orientation, and structural capacity for panel loading. Identifies conditions requiring remediation before installation proceeds.

Lesson 1 • Permitting and Inspection Process

Walks through the permit application, plan review, and field inspection workflow. Prepares students to interact professionally with inspectors and resolve corrections.

Lesson 2 • Fall Protection and Roof Safety

Establishes OSHA-aligned fall protection requirements for rooftop solar work. Covers harness systems, anchor points, and ladder safety protocols.

Lesson 3 • Fire Safety and Rapid Shutdown

Explains fire department access requirements and rapid shutdown system design and testing. Protects first responders and satisfies fire code compliance.

Lesson 4 • Electrical Code Requirements for PV Systems

Covers PV-specific wiring methods, disconnects, labelling, and earthing requirements from electrical codes. Ensures every installation decision has a code basis.

Lesson 1 • Earthing, Bonding, and Labelling

Installs equipment earthing conductors, bonding jumpers, and all required code labels. Finalises the installation for inspection readiness.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Installation Planning and Layout

Translates the approved design into field measurements, chalk lines, and attachment point locations. Prevents costly errors before any hardware is installed.

Lesson 3 • DC Wiring and String Connections

Guides MC4 connector assembly, string wiring, and combiner box terminations. Produces a correctly wired DC array with verified polarity before inverter connection.

Lesson 4 • Roof Penetrations and Flashing

Demonstrates waterproof lag bolt installation and flashing techniques for various roof materials. Prevents water intrusion, the most common post-installation complaint.

Lesson 5 • Inverter and AC Wiring Installation

Covers inverter mounting, DC input connection, AC output wiring, and disconnect installation. Completes the power path from panels to the utility interconnection point.

Lesson 1 • Fault Diagnosis and Correction

Applies systematic troubleshooting to identify earth faults, arc faults, and string imbalances. Builds diagnostic confidence before students encounter real-world faults.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Energisation Inspection

Performs a systematic visual and electrical check of all components before applying power. Catches wiring errors and mechanical defects that could damage equipment.

Lesson 3 • Inverter Startup and Configuration

Guides inverter power-up sequence, grid connection verification, and parameter configuration. Ensures the inverter operates within utility-required settings from day one.

Lesson 4 • Performance Verification and Testing

Measures actual system output and compares it to modelled production expectations. Identifies underperforming strings or components requiring correction.

Lesson 1 • System Expansion and Upgrade Planning

Evaluates existing systems for capacity to add panels, storage, or EV charging. Guides students through compatibility checks and upgrade design considerations.

Lesson 2 • Advanced Fault Diagnosis

Applies IV curve tracing, thermal imaging, and drone inspection to locate hidden faults. Addresses complex failures that basic multimeter testing cannot resolve.

Lesson 3 • Performance Monitoring and Analysis

Uses monitoring data to detect degradation, soiling losses, and equipment failures over time. Enables proactive service before customer complaints arise.

Lesson 4 • Component Replacement Procedures

Covers safe replacement of panels, inverters, optimisers, and connectors in the field. Ensures replacements restore full system performance without introducing new faults.