Solar PV Technician Course

Lesson 1 • Types of Solar Cells and Panels

Compares monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film technologies by efficiency and cost. Guides appropriate panel selection for lighting applications.

Lesson 2 • Photovoltaic Effect Explained

Explains electron excitation, p-n junctions, and current generation. Links atomic-level physics to observable panel output.

Lesson 3 • Solar Panel Electrical Characteristics

Introduces I-V curves, maximum power point, and temperature effects. Enables technicians to interpret panel datasheets accurately.

Lesson 1 • Wire Sizing and Cable Selection

Explains ampacity, voltage drop, and insulation ratings for DC wiring. Ensures safe, efficient current delivery in solar lighting installations.

Lesson 2 • Core Electrical Concepts

Defines voltage, current, resistance, and power with practical examples. Forms the quantitative language used throughout all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 3 • Series and Parallel Circuits

Analyzes how components behave in series vs. parallel configurations. Directly applies to wiring panels, batteries, and loads in solar systems.

Lesson 4 • Using Electrical Test Instruments

Covers multimeter, clamp meter, and solar analyzer operation. Equips technicians to take accurate field measurements safely.

Lesson 1 • Battery Technologies and Selection

Compares lead-acid, lithium-ion, and LiFePO4 batteries by cycle life, depth of discharge, and temperature performance. Guides safe battery selection for lighting duty.

Lesson 2 • LED Light Fixtures and Drivers

Covers LED efficacy, color temperature, CRI, and constant-current driver operation. Links fixture selection to illumination quality and energy efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Charge Controllers

Explains PWM and MPPT controller operation, protection features, and settings. Ensures students can configure controllers to protect batteries and maximize harvest.

Lesson 4 • Control and Monitoring Devices

Introduces PIR sensors, timers, dimmers, and remote monitoring modules. Shows how controls reduce energy consumption and extend battery autonomy.

Lesson 1 • Solar Resource Assessment

Uses peak sun hour data and tilt angle optimization to quantify available solar energy. Ensures panel sizing accounts for worst-month conditions.

Lesson 2 • Panel Array Sizing

Applies energy budget and solar resource data to calculate required panel wattage. Covers series-parallel array configurations for target voltage.

Lesson 3 • Load Analysis and Energy Budgeting

Calculates daily watt-hour demand from fixture wattage and operating hours. Establishes the energy budget that drives all subsequent sizing steps.

Lesson 4 • Battery Bank Sizing

Determines battery capacity from autonomy days, depth of discharge, and temperature derating. Produces a correctly sized storage bank for reliable nighttime operation.

Lesson 1 • Photometric Fundamentals

Defines lumens, lux, candela, and luminous efficacy with practical measurement context. Provides the vocabulary for specifying and verifying lighting performance.

Lesson 2 • Lighting Standards for Common Applications

Reviews recommended illuminance levels for roads, pathways, parking areas, and security zones. Enables technicians to verify compliance with project specifications.

Lesson 3 • Field Illuminance Measurement

Covers light meter calibration, grid measurement technique, and result documentation. Provides objective evidence that installed systems meet design targets.

Lesson 1 • Site Survey and Preparation

Assesses shading, soil conditions, structural supports, and cable routing paths. Prevents installation errors by identifying site constraints before work begins.

Lesson 2 • Battery and Controller Installation

Details enclosure selection, ventilation, battery terminal connections, and controller wiring sequence. Prevents damage from incorrect connection order.

Lesson 3 • Luminaire and Wiring Installation

Covers conduit routing, connector types, luminaire mounting, and sensor positioning. Ensures weatherproof, mechanically secure, and correctly aimed fixtures.

Lesson 4 • System Commissioning

Performs pre-energization checks, initial charge controller programming, and functional testing. Confirms the system operates as designed before handover.

Lesson 1 • Battery and Controller Faults

Identifies sulfation, cell imbalance, overcharge, and controller alarm codes. Guides correct remediation or replacement decisions for storage components.

Lesson 2 • Common Solar Panel Faults

Diagnoses hotspots, delamination, soiling, and shading losses using visual and electrical tests. Enables accurate panel condition assessment in the field.

Lesson 3 • Systematic Fault-Finding Approach

Introduces a structured diagnostic process: symptom, hypothesis, test, and repair. Prevents random part replacement and reduces mean time to repair.

Lesson 4 • Luminaire and Control Faults

Diagnoses LED driver failure, sensor malfunction, and wiring faults in the load circuit. Restores lighting function with minimal downtime.

Lesson 1 • Installation Scheduling and Coordination

Creates work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, and crew assignments for field teams. Keeps multi-site projects on schedule and within budget.

Lesson 2 • Quality Assurance and Inspection

Applies inspection checklists, photometric verification, and non-conformance reporting. Ensures every installation meets design specifications before client acceptance.

Lesson 3 • Client Handover and Documentation

Prepares as-built drawings, operation manuals, and warranty records for client delivery. Establishes a professional handover that builds client confidence and reduces callbacks.

Lesson 4 • Procurement and Logistics

Covers supplier evaluation, lead time management, and on-site material staging. Ensures components arrive on time and in correct condition for installation.