Join us for the Small- & Large-Scale Solar PV Systems: Design, Component Selection, Installation, Commissioning & Maintenance course and become a leader in the renewable energy sector! This comprehensive program will provide you with the critical skills needed to design, install, and maintain efficient solar PV systems for a sustainable future.

With 2 CPD points accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), this course not only enhances your professional credentials but also positions you at the forefront of the green energy revolution.

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your expertise and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable world. Enroll today and be part of the solution!

Accreditation No.: ICMEESA335-25

MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION

•        Overview of PV standards: SAN10142-1:2021Section 7.12; SANS 60364-7-712:2018 edition 2         

•        Energy from the sun
•        Solar power plants
•        Solar heating: Active and passive systems
•        Photovoltaic cells
•        Major Uses of Solar Energy
•  
• SOLARPHOTOVOLTAIC THEORY
• Mechanism of generation
  • The direction of current inside PV cell
  • Current-Voltage ( I-V) Curve
  • I - V curve and P-Max control
  • Estimating obtained power by I - V curve
  • I / V curve vs Insolation intensity
  • Effects of Temperature
  • Temperature and efficiency
  • Various type of PV cell/ PV Cell Technologies
  • Types and Conversion Efficiency of Solar Cell
    • Single-crystal or Mono-crystalline Silicon
    • Polycrystalline orMulti-crystalline Silicon
    • Thin-film: Amorphous silicon or Cadmium Telluride
  • Generations of PV Cell Technologies
  • Photovoltaic (PV) Hierarchy
  • Photovoltaic (PV) Hierarchy
  • Effects of Shading/Low Insolation
  • Shading on Modules
  • Exercises
  •  
• MODULE 2: SMALL SCALE / ROOFTOP PV SYSTEM COMPONENTS, SELECTION ANDINSTALLATION
•        PV System Components
•        Solar Module or Array
• Selecting the Correct Modul
• Calculating the correct panel size
• Calculating total watt-hours needed from the panels each day
• Estimating the energy output from a solar panel
• Panel Generation Factor
• Adjusting the generation factor for different climates
• Finding the number of panels needed
•  
•        Batteries
• Battery Basics
• Battery Capacity
• Batteries in Series and Parallel
• Rate of Charge or Discharge
• Terms Associated with Standby Batteries
• Types of batteries commonly used in PV systems
• Battery Safety
• BATTERY Sizing

•      Controllers

• Controller Basics
  • Additional Controller Features
  • Other Controller Considerations
  • Controller sizing

 Inverters

• • Inverter Basics
  • Single-phase full-bridge inverter
  • Three-phase full-bridge inverter
  • Pulse-width modulation
  • Specifying an Inverter
  • Brands of inverters in South Africa
  •  

•      PV Wiring and installation requirements

• • Tools
  • Series Connections
  • Parallel Connections
  • Wire Components
  • Wire Sizing
  • Safety Equipment
  • Overcurrent Protection
  • Grounding
  •  

  ·        SANS10142-1 compliance requirements

• DC conductors and battery protection methodso  Additional requirements for PV installations as an alternative to the main supply
• o  additional requirements for PV off-grid or on-grid installations

•      Solar Site & Mounting

• • Altitude and Azimuth
  • Solar Pathfinder
  • Site Selection – Tilt Angle
  • Solar Access
  • General Considerations
  • Basic Mounting Options
  • Pole Mount Considerations
  • Tracking Considerations
  • Passive Vs. Active
  • Roof Mount Considerations

•      Categories of PV systems

• • Autonomous / Off-Grid system
  • hybrid and
  • grid-connected / Grid-Tied system

•      Installation example
•      Exercises

MODULE 3

Large-scale (Solar Farm) Design consideration

•    Selection of site
•    Solar farm design
•    PV simulation and design softwares
•    PV plant layout design
•    General layout
•    Tilt angle
•    PV module configuration
•    Inter-row spacing
•    Orientation
•    Technology selection
•    Modules
•    Inverters
•    Transformers
•    Mounting structures
•    Dc system design
•    PV array design
•    Inverter sizing
•    Cable selection and sizing
•    Cable management
•    Module and string cables
•    Main dc cable
•    Combiner boxes & connectors
•    String fuses/miniature circuit breakers (MCBs)
•    DC switching
•    Ac system design 
•    AC cable selection
•    AC switchgear
•    Sizing and selecting transformers
•    Plant substation
•    Earthing and surge protection
•    Grid connection

MODULE 4

PV System Commissioning & Maintenance

•      Commissioning of the PV system
•      Commissioning Checklist
•      A general start-up procedure
•      Walkthrough

•      Degradation of a PV Module

o  Hot spots

o  Corrosion of a PV Module

o  Discoloration of a PV Module

o  Delamination of a PV Module

o  Cracks and Breakage of PV Modules

o  PID

o  Bubbles

o  Junction Box Failure

•      Visual module inspections
•      Cleaning Solar PV
•      PV Battery maintenance
•      PV Operation & Maintenance (O&M) plan
•      Maintenance plan task and recommended intervals
•      Classifications Involving PV O&M Costs