Solar Energy Auditor Course

Lesson 1 • Photovoltaic Technology Overview

Explains how PV cells convert light to electricity using semiconductor physics. Connects cell-level behavior to module and array performance.

Lesson 2 • Solar Radiation and Energy Basics

Covers solar irradiance, insolation, and spectral properties of sunlight. Establishes the physical basis for all subsequent solar calculations.

Lesson 3 • Key System Components Identification

Catalogs inverters, charge controllers, meters, and balance-of-system parts. Enables accurate component documentation during field audits.

Lesson 4 • Solar Thermal System Fundamentals

Introduces flat-plate and evacuated-tube collectors and their heat transfer mechanisms. Distinguishes thermal from PV applications for audit scoping.

Lesson 1 • Shading Analysis Techniques

Introduces tools and methods for quantifying shading from trees, chimneys, and adjacent structures. Shading data is critical for accurate energy yield modeling.

Lesson 2 • Site Documentation and Photography

Establishes standards for annotated photos, sketches, and measurement logs. Accurate documentation supports defensible audit reports.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Audit Research and Preparation

Covers utility bill analysis, satellite imagery review, and permit record retrieval. Reduces on-site time by resolving knowable data before arrival.

Lesson 4 • Electrical Infrastructure Evaluation

Assesses service panel capacity, wiring condition, and interconnection points. Identifies upgrade requirements before system sizing begins.

Lesson 1 • Interval Data and Smart Meter Analysis

Uses 15-minute interval data to reveal peak demand periods and load shapes. High-resolution data improves sizing accuracy beyond monthly averages.

Lesson 2 • Reading and Interpreting Utility Bills

Decodes demand charges, time-of-use rates, and consumption trends from billing data. Accurate bill interpretation anchors all financial projections.

Lesson 3 • Establishing the Audit Baseline

Synthesizes consumption data into a normalized annual baseline for comparison. The baseline is the reference point for all savings calculations.

Lesson 4 • Load Inventory and Profiling

Catalogs all electrical loads by wattage, usage hours, and operational schedule. Load profiles determine optimal system size and storage requirements.

Lesson 1 • Yield Validation and Uncertainty

Compares modeled output against measured data from comparable installed systems. Quantifying uncertainty builds credibility in audit deliverables.

Lesson 2 • System Performance Simulation

Operates industry-standard simulation software to model annual energy production. Simulation outputs feed directly into financial and sizing analyses.

Lesson 3 • Solar Resource Databases and Tools

Introduces publicly available irradiance databases and their data sources. Selecting the right database reduces modeling error for a given location.

Lesson 4 • Loss Factor Analysis

Quantifies soiling, wiring, mismatch, and inverter losses that reduce real output. Accurate loss modeling prevents overestimation of client savings.

Lesson 1 • Battery Storage Sizing

Determines storage capacity based on backup duration, critical loads, and depth of discharge. Storage sizing integrates load profiles developed in earlier chapters.

Lesson 2 • Inverter Selection and Sizing

Matches inverter capacity and topology to array size and site conditions. Correct inverter selection maximizes energy harvest and system reliability.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Design Considerations

Reviews wire sizing, overcurrent protection, and disconnect requirements for safe design. Electrical design must comply with applicable safety standards.

Lesson 4 • PV Array Sizing Methodology

Calculates required array capacity from load baseline and solar resource data. Sizing methodology links directly to consumption analysis from prior chapters.

Lesson 1 • Savings Calculation Methods

Calculates avoided energy costs using rate structures and modeled production data. Savings projections must account for rate escalation and degradation.

Lesson 2 • Financing Options and Structures

Compares cash purchase, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements for client suitability. Financing structure affects net savings and ownership outcomes.

Lesson 3 • System Cost Estimation

Builds cost models from equipment, labor, permitting, and soft cost benchmarks. Accurate cost estimates are the foundation of all financial metrics.

Lesson 4 • Key Financial Metrics

Computes simple payback, NPV, IRR, and LCOE for project evaluation. Multiple metrics give clients a complete picture of investment performance.

Lesson 1 • Field Inspection of Installed Systems

Conducts visual and electrical inspections to identify physical degradation and faults. Field findings corroborate or explain monitoring data anomalies.

Lesson 2 • Performance Monitoring Data Review

Retrieves and interprets inverter and monitoring platform data for installed systems. Monitoring data is the primary evidence base for performance audits.

Lesson 3 • Fault Diagnosis and Root Cause Analysis

Applies diagnostic tools and logic to trace underperformance to specific causes. Root cause identification prevents recurring issues after corrective action.

Lesson 4 • Performance Ratio and Metrics

Calculates performance ratio, specific yield, and capacity factor for benchmarking. Standardized metrics enable fair comparison across different system sizes.

Lesson 1 • Data Visualization for Reports

Applies charts, graphs, and diagrams to communicate consumption and savings data. Visual aids accelerate client comprehension of complex technical content.

Lesson 2 • Client Presentation Techniques

Structures verbal presentations to address client concerns and decision criteria. Effective presentation skills convert audit findings into client commitments.

Lesson 3 • Recommendations and Prioritization

Frames system and efficiency recommendations by cost-effectiveness and feasibility. Prioritized recommendations guide clients toward the highest-value actions.

Lesson 4 • Quality Assurance and Peer Review

Establishes checklists and review workflows to catch errors before report delivery. QA processes protect auditor credibility and client trust.