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Adjunct Professor: Steve Geiger
Phone: 916-484-8354
Email: geigers@arc.losrios.edu

Prerequisite: ENERGY 141 with grade of “C” or better
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This advanced course in solar photovoltaic (PV) energy includes preparation for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam. Topics include hardware and software tools used for determining percent of shade and orienting solar panels, the effect of PV panel orientation on system power and efficiency, and the load analysis. Additionally, it covers calculating PV panel string sizing when working with grid tie inverters as related to the NABCEP test. National Electrical Code (NEC) and fire code wire sizing, fusing, and other safety instructions and procedures are reviewed. The successful completion of this course and ENERGY 141 meets the requirements to take the NABCEP certified solar photovoltaic installers and service technicians entry level certificate of knowledge of PV systems test. Field trips may be required. This course may be taken two times for credit using different software.

ARC Energy Website: http://www.arc.losrios.edu/Programs_of_Study/Technical_Education/Energy.htm

ARC Energy Classes - Catalog: http://web.arc.losrios.edu/catalog/Energy.pdf

For This Class: Course Syllabus Homework: Assignments List Day One Math and Measure Homework Electrical Problems Part 2 Electrical Problems Part 4 Student Term Project: NA Study Guides: PV Study Sheet How to Take Multiple Choice Tests NABCEP Website Down NABCEP Website Study Guide - Resources Sec. NABCEP Study Guide - From Brooks Watt Hour Problems - Breakdown PowerPoints: PV Modules Inverters Mounts & Rails Electricity Basics: Basic Electrical Theory Watts Definitions Using Watts Law The Power Pyramid How to Calculate Electric Costs Design Loads Appliance Watt Chart Kill-A-Watt Manual Safety: Safety - Lethal Shock Safe Meter Usage FPA-70E-Compliance-Guide OSHA Electrical Safety OSHA Fall Safety OSHA Green Job Hazards OSHA PPE Assessment OSHA PPE Guide for Small Business Hard Hat Classes Career Lesson: Taking Notes 10 Steps - Note Taking Resume Resources SOLAR JOB LINKS Solar Job Resources Sample Installer Resume Cover Letter Info Cover Letter Template E-Portfolio Portfolio Sites Sample Interview Questions Sample Interview Questions to Ask Doing an Informational Interview True Colors - What is your Personality Profile? True Colors Personality Test (Link) DISC Profile Info (Link) DISC Basics Local Industry Articles Green Job Websites Other Helpful Info: Solar Industry Related Links PV Magazines, Trade Show Search PV Industry News Sources (World & Local) Cal Fire Solar PV Installation Guideline (Link to ) Basic Tools for Installers Sample Three Line Drawing - Enphase Sun Orientation Design Spreadsheet (Link) How To Do PV Design Great PV Drawing Resource: Brooks Engineering (Link) Orientation & Pitch Excerpt from - A GUIDE TO PV SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION by the CEC Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion Chart Spacing Between Rows NEC 2008 - 690 NEC 2008 Tables 310.16 - 17 NEC 2008 Chp 9 - Tables 8-9 Other Helpful Website Links: Brooks Solar Jim Dunlop Solar Grid Alternatives

Class Lecture Notes: Class 1 Safety Components Measuring Electricity Basics Residential Wiring Site Surveys System Sizing System Sizing 2 Solar Energy Fundamentals PV Module Fundamentals PV Markets and Applications Electrical Design Electrical Design 2 and Financial PV Mechanical Design Performance, Maintenance, Troubleshooting Final Review Battery Articles: Top 10 Battery Blunders - Home Power Magazine Battery Box Basics - Home Power Magazine PV Done Right - Grid Tie, Battery Backup, and System Monitoring - Home Power Magazine Flooded Lead Acid Battery Maintenance - Home Power Magazine Other Articles: PV Grounding - John Wiles - Home Power - CC103 (Link) PV String Sizing - Home Power Magazine String Sizing Tools and Choosing an Inverter - Civic Solar