Solar PV Maintenance Course

Lesson 1 • Solar Resource and Site Basics

Introduces irradiance measurement, sun path concepts, and shading impact on output. Grounds technicians in environmental factors that affect system performance.

Lesson 2 • System Architecture Overview

Maps the major components of grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid systems. Provides a structural framework for understanding how components interact.

Lesson 3 • Solar Panel Types and Technologies

Examines monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film panel technologies and their efficiency trade-offs. Enables technicians to identify panel types on any job site.

Lesson 1 • DC Circuit Principles

Reviews voltage, current, resistance, and power relationships in direct-current circuits. Forms the electrical foundation for all PV wiring and measurement tasks.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Safety Fundamentals

Covers shock hazards, arc flash risks, lockout/tagout procedures, and personal protective equipment. Establishes non-negotiable safety habits before hands-on work begins.

Lesson 3 • AC Circuit Basics for Inverters

Explains alternating current waveforms, frequency, and power factor relevant to inverter output. Connects AC theory to grid-tied system operation.

Lesson 1 • Thermal and Optical Inspection Tools

Introduces infrared thermography cameras and visual inspection aids for detecting panel defects. Connects non-contact diagnostics to fault identification workflows.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Measurement Instruments

Covers multimeters, clamp meters, and insulation resistance testers used in PV diagnostics. Accurate instrument use is the core skill linking theory to field practice.

Lesson 3 • Hand Tools and Mechanical Equipment

Reviews torque wrenches, cable crimpers, conduit tools, and fall-protection gear. Proper tool use prevents mechanical damage and ensures code-compliant installations.

Lesson 1 • Mounting Structure Inspection

Addresses corrosion, fastener torque verification, rail alignment, and wind-load integrity checks. Structural failures are a leading cause of catastrophic system damage.

Lesson 2 • Inverter and BOS Preventive Care

Details filter cleaning, firmware update checks, ventilation clearance, and combiner box inspection. Balance-of-system components require equal attention to panels.

Lesson 3 • Scheduled Inspection Routines

Defines inspection intervals, checklists, and pass/fail criteria for all major system components. Systematic inspection is the primary tool for preventing unplanned failures.

Lesson 4 • Maintenance Records and Reporting

Establishes record-keeping standards, digital log formats, and client reporting templates. Accurate records support warranty claims and performance trend analysis.

Lesson 1 • Diagnostic Methodology

Introduces structured fault-finding frameworks, symptom-to-cause mapping, and elimination logic. A repeatable methodology reduces diagnostic time and misdiagnosis risk.

Lesson 2 • Inverter Fault Diagnosis

Interprets inverter error codes, grid-fault events, MPPT failures, and communication errors. Inverter faults account for the majority of system downtime events.

Lesson 3 • Battery Storage System Faults

Addresses state-of-charge errors, cell imbalance, BMS alarms, and thermal runaway indicators. Storage faults require additional safety awareness due to chemical hazards.

Lesson 4 • Panel-Level Fault Identification

Covers hotspot detection, bypass diode failure, delamination, and micro-crack diagnosis. Panel faults are the most frequent source of underperformance in mature systems.

Lesson 1 • Inverter Replacement and Commissioning

Covers inverter removal, mounting, AC/DC wiring reconnection, and recommissioning steps. Proper commissioning ensures grid compliance and optimal MPPT operation.

Lesson 2 • Battery Module Replacement

Covers safe battery module swap procedures, BMS reconfiguration, and capacity verification testing. Battery replacement requires strict chemical and electrical safety compliance.

Lesson 3 • Connector and Cable Repair

Teaches MC4 connector replacement, cable splicing standards, and conduit repair techniques. Cable integrity is critical for both safety and long-term system performance.

Lesson 4 • Overcurrent and Protection Device Replacement

Addresses fuse, breaker, and surge protection device replacement with correct ratings. Mismatched protection devices create fire and equipment damage risks.

Lesson 1 • Alarm Management and Response

Establishes alarm priority tiers, response time standards, and escalation workflows. Effective alarm management minimises energy loss from undetected faults.

Lesson 2 • Key Performance Indicators

Defines performance ratio, specific yield, capacity factor, and availability metrics. KPIs translate raw data into actionable insights for maintenance decisions.

Lesson 3 • Degradation Analysis

Covers annual degradation rate measurement, LID effects, and long-term yield forecasting. Identifying degradation early enables proactive intervention before significant losses occur.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring System Architecture

Explains data loggers, communication protocols, and cloud-based monitoring platform structures. Understanding data flow is prerequisite to interpreting performance data accurately.

Lesson 1 • I-V Curve Analysis

Uses I-V curve tracers to identify shading, mismatch, and degradation signatures at string level. I-V analysis provides the most detailed panel-level diagnostic data available.

Lesson 2 • String-Level Optimisation Strategies

Addresses module-level power electronics, re-stringing for mismatch reduction, and shade mitigation. Optimisation interventions directly increase annual energy yield.

Lesson 3 • Long-Term Asset Management Planning

Develops component replacement schedules, capital expenditure forecasts, and end-of-life strategies. Asset planning extends system economic life and maximises return on investment.

Lesson 4 • Thermographic Survey Techniques

Covers systematic aerial and ground-based thermal surveys, image analysis, and defect classification. Thermography enables rapid fleet-wide fault detection across large installations.