Solar Energy System Designer Course

Lesson 1 • PV Module Construction and Types

Compares monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film technologies by efficiency and cost. Prepares students to select appropriate module types for given applications.

Lesson 2 • Core System Components Overview

Introduces inverters, batteries, charge controllers, and balance-of-system parts. Provides a component map used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 3 • Photovoltaic Cell Physics

Explains the p-n junction, photon absorption, and electron-hole pair generation. Connects semiconductor behaviour to measurable electrical output.

Lesson 1 • Shading Analysis Techniques

Teaches horizon profiling, near-shading object identification, and shading loss quantification. Directly feeds into energy yield and array layout decisions.

Lesson 2 • Site Survey and Data Collection

Covers on-site measurement protocols, roof assessment, and documentation standards. Produces the verified site data package required for system design.

Lesson 3 • Irradiance Data Sources and Tools

Surveys satellite-derived databases, ground measurement stations, and simulation software. Students learn to retrieve and validate site-specific irradiance datasets.

Lesson 1 • Electrical Safety and Protection Devices

Introduces overcurrent protection, grounding, arc-fault detection, and rapid shutdown. Connects safety device selection to applicable electrical safety standards.

Lesson 2 • Wire Sizing and Conduit Selection

Applies ampacity tables, temperature correction, and conduit fill rules to PV wiring. Produces code-compliant wire and conduit specifications for system drawings.

Lesson 3 • AC Electrical Concepts

Covers RMS values, frequency, power factor, and single- vs. three-phase systems. Prepares students to design grid-tied inverter output connections correctly.

Lesson 4 • DC Circuit Principles

Reviews voltage, current, resistance, and power relationships in DC circuits. Forms the mathematical backbone for all PV string and array calculations.

Lesson 1 • Commercial and Utility-Scale Configurations

Introduces central inverters, combiner boxes, medium-voltage transformers, and SCADA basics. Bridges residential design knowledge to large-scale project requirements.

Lesson 2 • Hybrid and Battery Backup Systems

Examines grid-tied systems with battery storage, critical load panels, and transfer switching. Addresses growing demand for resilient solar-plus-storage installations.

Lesson 3 • Off-Grid System Architecture

Covers load-based sizing, battery bank design, and generator backup integration. Prepares students to design fully autonomous power systems for remote sites.

Lesson 1 • Load Analysis and Consumption Profiling

Teaches energy audit methods, appliance load inventories, and demand profile construction. Provides the consumption baseline that drives all sizing decisions.

Lesson 2 • Array and Inverter Sizing Calculations

Covers DC-to-AC ratio, string sizing windows, and inverter clipping analysis. Produces optimised array and inverter specifications for the design package.

Lesson 3 • Energy Simulation Software Application

Guides students through simulation tool setup, loss factor entry, and results interpretation. Validates sizing decisions with software-generated annual energy output reports.

Lesson 4 • Performance Ratio and Loss Analysis

Defines performance ratio, identifies loss categories, and benchmarks system quality. Enables designers to diagnose underperformance and improve design efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Carport and BIPV Applications

Examines canopy structural requirements, building-integrated PV facade systems, and aesthetic constraints. Expands design capability to non-traditional mounting contexts.

Lesson 2 • Rooftop Mounting System Design

Covers rafter attachment, flashing details, rail layout, and module clamp selection. Ensures weatherproof, structurally adequate rooftop installations.

Lesson 3 • Ground-Mount System Design

Addresses pile foundation types, tracker vs. fixed-tilt frames, and inter-row spacing. Prepares students to design ground arrays from foundation to module level.

Lesson 1 • Permit Application Preparation

Covers required drawing types, calculation submittals, and authority-having-jurisdiction expectations. Produces a permit-ready documentation package for a sample project.

Lesson 2 • Utility Interconnection Process

Explains application steps, technical screens, and agreement types for grid connection. Prepares students to manage the interconnection timeline and utility requirements.

Lesson 3 • Applicable Codes and Standards Overview

Maps electrical, building, and fire safety standards relevant to PV installations. Establishes the compliance framework used in all design documentation.

Lesson 1 • Construction Handoff and Project Closeout

Covers design-to-installation handoff documents, as-built drawing requirements, and warranty records. Ensures a smooth transition from design to field execution and owner acceptance.

Lesson 2 • System Cost Estimation

Covers equipment, labour, permitting, and soft cost categories for accurate project budgeting. Provides the cost baseline for all financial performance calculations.

Lesson 3 • Client Proposal and Design Documentation

Structures a professional proposal with system summary, financial model, and design drawings. Integrates all prior course outputs into a client-ready deliverable.

Lesson 4 • Financial Performance Metrics

Calculates simple payback, NPV, IRR, and LCOE for residential and commercial projects. Enables designers to present compelling, data-driven investment cases to clients.