Solar Design and Install Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory and Safety Framework

Introduces electrical safety standards, building codes, and permitting requirements governing solar installations. Grounds students in compliance obligations before hands-on work.

Lesson 2 • How Solar Energy Works

Covers the physics of sunlight conversion to electricity via the photovoltaic effect. Establishes the scientific basis for all subsequent design and installation topics.

Lesson 3 • Solar Industry Landscape

Maps the current solar market, key stakeholders, and career pathways. Provides professional context for technical skills developed throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Inverter Types and Selection

Covers string, microinverter, and power optimizer topologies along with their trade-offs. Connects inverter choice to shading conditions, system size, and monitoring needs.

Lesson 2 • Balance-of-System Components

Identifies wiring, combiners, disconnects, meters, and monitoring hardware that complete a PV system. Reinforces how each component supports safety, performance, and code compliance.

Lesson 3 • Racking and Mounting Systems

Reviews roof-mount, ground-mount, and ballasted racking options and their structural requirements. Links mounting choice to roof type, load calculations, and local wind and snow conditions.

Lesson 1 • Solar Resource Measurement

Teaches use of irradiance data, peak sun hours, and solar pathfinder tools to quantify available solar resource. Directly informs energy production estimates in the design phase.

Lesson 2 • Site Assessment Documentation

Standardizes data collection forms, photo documentation, and report writing for site assessments. Produces professional deliverables used directly in the permitting and design workflow.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Service Evaluation

Assesses existing electrical service capacity, panel condition, and interconnection feasibility. Connects site electrical findings to system sizing and interconnection design decisions.

Lesson 4 • Shading Analysis Techniques

Covers manual and software-based shading analysis methods to identify obstructions affecting energy yield. Prepares students to recommend optimal panel placement and layout.

Lesson 1 • Energy Production Modeling Software

Demonstrates use of industry-standard simulation tools to model annual energy output and financial returns. Validates manual sizing calculations and produces client-ready production reports.

Lesson 2 • String and Inverter Sizing

Determines optimal string configurations using module and inverter voltage and current specifications. Ensures electrical compatibility and maximizes inverter efficiency across temperature ranges.

Lesson 3 • Customer Load Analysis

Calculates annual and monthly energy consumption from utility bills and appliance inventories. Establishes the energy offset target that drives all subsequent sizing decisions.

Lesson 4 • Battery Storage Sizing

Sizes battery systems for backup, self-consumption, and off-grid applications using load and autonomy requirements. Extends core sizing skills to storage-integrated system designs.

Lesson 1 • Layout and Placement Drawings

Creates roof plan and site plan drawings showing panel layout, setbacks, and equipment locations. Completes the permit package alongside the single-line diagram.

Lesson 2 • Single-Line Diagram Fundamentals

Teaches the symbols, conventions, and required elements of PV single-line diagrams. Produces the primary electrical document required for permitting and inspection.

Lesson 3 • Wire Sizing and Conduit Design

Applies ampacity tables, voltage drop calculations, and conduit fill rules to specify conductors and raceways. Ensures safe, code-compliant wiring throughout the system.

Lesson 4 • Grounding and Bonding Design

Designs equipment grounding conductors, grounding electrode systems, and module bonding for safety and code compliance. Prevents shock hazards and equipment damage from fault currents.

Lesson 1 • Solar Incentives and Financing

Surveys federal tax credits, state rebates, renewable energy certificates, and financing products. Equips students to present accurate financial benefits to prospective customers.

Lesson 2 • Inspection and Final Approval

Prepares students for building department and utility inspections by reviewing common inspection checklists. Closes the permitting loop from design through final permission to operate.

Lesson 3 • Net Metering and Billing Structures

Explains net metering, time-of-use rates, and export compensation mechanisms affecting system economics. Enables accurate financial modeling and customer education on billing impacts.

Lesson 4 • Building Permit Process

Outlines permit application requirements, plan check procedures, and common correction responses. Prepares students to submit complete packages and resolve reviewer comments efficiently.

Lesson 1 • Jobsite Safety and PPE

Establishes fall protection, electrical safety, and tool handling requirements for solar installation work. Grounds all subsequent hands-on instruction in a safety-first culture.

Lesson 2 • Roof Penetration and Flashing

Demonstrates proper lag bolt placement, flashing installation, and waterproofing techniques for roof-mount systems. Prevents water intrusion, the most common post-installation complaint.

Lesson 3 • Inverter and AC Wiring Installation

Covers inverter mounting, AC wiring to the main panel, and interconnection breaker installation. Completes the electrical installation and prepares the system for commissioning.

Lesson 4 • DC Wiring and Combiner Installation

Guides string wiring, connector crimping, combiner box wiring, and DC disconnect installation. Builds the DC electrical backbone of the system safely and to code.

Lesson 1 • Fault Diagnosis and Troubleshooting

Develops a systematic approach to diagnosing underperformance, ground faults, and inverter alarms. Reduces system downtime and protects revenue for system owners.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Testing and Measurements

Applies multimeter, clamp meter, and insulation resistance testing to verify system electrical performance. Provides quantitative data to confirm design intent and detect faults.

Lesson 3 • System Startup and Commissioning

Executes the energization sequence, inverter commissioning, and monitoring system activation. Validates that the system operates within design specifications from day one.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Commissioning Inspection

Conducts a systematic visual and electrical inspection before energizing the system. Catches installation errors that could cause equipment damage or safety hazards at startup.