Solar Energy Design Course

Lesson 1 • Industry Standards and Safety Basics

Surveys electrical safety codes, equipment certification standards, and utility interconnection requirements. Establishes the compliance framework applied throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Key System Components Overview

Introduces inverters, racking, wiring, and monitoring as a system. Provides a component map that later chapters explore in depth.

Lesson 3 • Photovoltaic Effect and Cell Physics

Explains semiconductor physics, the p-n junction, and how photons generate electron flow. Connects cell-level physics to module-level electrical behaviour.

Lesson 4 • Solar Radiation and the Sun

Covers solar irradiance, the electromagnetic spectrum, and seasonal sun path variation. Establishes the physical basis for all subsequent energy yield calculations.

Lesson 1 • Roof and Structural Suitability

Evaluates roof type, age, orientation, pitch, and load capacity for PV installation. Structural suitability determines mounting strategy and engineering requirements.

Lesson 2 • Site Survey Methods and Tools

Covers on-site measurement techniques, aerial imagery, and digital survey tools. Accurate surveys are the input data for all design decisions that follow.

Lesson 3 • Compiling the Site Assessment Report

Guides students through organising survey data, shading results, and resource data into a professional report. The report becomes the design brief for subsequent chapters.

Lesson 4 • Shading Analysis Techniques

Teaches shade source identification, sun path diagrams, and shading simulation tools. Shading analysis directly determines array layout and energy loss estimates.

Lesson 1 • Energy Yield Simulation

Introduces simulation software workflows, input parameters, and output interpretation. Simulation results form the production basis for financial and utility analyses.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Load Analysis

Teaches consumption data collection, load profiling, and demand pattern identification. Load analysis sets the energy target that drives system sizing decisions.

Lesson 3 • Array Sizing Fundamentals

Covers DC capacity calculations, DC-to-AC ratio selection, and module quantity determination. Correct array sizing balances energy production with inverter capacity.

Lesson 4 • Battery Storage Sizing Basics

Covers energy storage capacity, depth of discharge, and round-trip efficiency for paired storage systems. Storage sizing extends system design beyond grid-tied applications.

Lesson 1 • Overcurrent Protection and Disconnects

Covers fuse and breaker sizing, rapid shutdown requirements, and disconnect placement. Protection devices safeguard equipment and enable safe emergency response.

Lesson 2 • Grounding and Bonding

Explains equipment grounding, system grounding, and bonding conductor sizing. Proper grounding protects personnel and equipment from fault currents and lightning.

Lesson 3 • String Configuration and Inverter Matching

Covers series and parallel string design, voltage window compliance, and inverter input matching. Correct string design ensures inverter operation within safe voltage limits.

Lesson 4 • Wire Sizing and Voltage Drop

Applies ampacity tables, conduit fill rules, and voltage drop calculations to select conductors. Proper wire sizing prevents overheating and maintains system efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Ground-Mount Racking and Trackers

Covers fixed-tilt ground mounts, single-axis trackers, and foundation types. Ground-mount design requires site-specific structural and geotechnical inputs.

Lesson 2 • Array Layout and Tilt Optimisation

Optimises module tilt, azimuth, and row spacing to maximise energy yield and minimise shading. Layout decisions directly affect annual production and land use.

Lesson 3 • Rooftop Racking Systems

Compares flush-mount, ballasted, and penetrating racking for various roof types. Racking selection drives structural load calculations and waterproofing strategy.

Lesson 4 • Mechanical Drawing and BOM Production

Covers plan-view layout drawings, elevation details, and bill of materials creation. Mechanical drawings guide installation crews and support permit applications.

Lesson 1 • Building and Electrical Permit Process

Covers permit application requirements, plan check processes, and inspection stages. Understanding permit workflows prevents project delays and rework.

Lesson 2 • Preparing the Permit Package

Guides assembly of electrical drawings, structural calculations, and equipment specifications into a submission-ready permit package. A complete package minimises review cycles.

Lesson 3 • Solar Incentive Programs

Surveys investment tax credits, production incentives, grants, and rebate programmes. Incentive stacking can substantially reduce project cost and improve returns.

Lesson 4 • Net Metering and Tariff Structures

Analyses net metering, time-of-use rates, and export compensation mechanisms. Tariff structure selection significantly affects project financial performance.

Lesson 1 • Revenue and Savings Quantification

Calculates electricity bill savings, export revenue, and incentive cash flows. Revenue quantification translates energy yield into financial value for stakeholders.

Lesson 2 • Building the Financial Model

Guides construction of a multi-year cash flow spreadsheet integrating costs, savings, and financing. The completed model supports client proposals and lender presentations.

Lesson 3 • Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Covers equipment, labour, soft cost, and contingency estimation methods. Accurate cost estimates are the foundation of all financial performance calculations.

Lesson 4 • Financial Return Metrics

Applies payback period, net present value, and internal rate of return to evaluate projects. Return metrics enable comparison across competing investment opportunities.

Lesson 1 • System Startup and Functional Testing

Guides inverter startup, MPPT verification, and AC output measurement. Functional testing confirms the system operates as designed before handover.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Commissioning Inspections

Covers visual inspection checklists, torque verification, and polarity testing before energisation. Pre-commissioning checks prevent equipment damage and safety incidents.

Lesson 3 • Preventive Maintenance Procedures

Covers scheduled cleaning, electrical connection inspection, and inverter maintenance tasks. Preventive maintenance preserves energy yield and extends equipment life.

Lesson 4 • Fault Diagnosis and Troubleshooting

Applies diagnostic tools and fault trees to identify underperformance causes. Systematic troubleshooting minimises downtime and restores production quickly.