Welcome to...

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

Prerequisite: ENERGY 141, Electrical & Mechanical Applications for Solar Installers and ENERGY 142, NABCEP Entry Level Test Review with grades of “C” or better
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Course Description: This advanced course in solar photovoltaic (PV) energy offers the opportunity for hands-on experience designing, installing, and troubleshooting grid-tie and stand alone PV systems. Topics include hardware and software tools used in the solar PV industry, blueprint reading, calculating component size and capacity, and personal safety. Additionally, it covers calculating PV panel string sizing when working with grid tie inverters and battery sizing when designing stand alone PV systems. National Electrical Code (NEC) and fire code wire sizing, fusing, and other safety instructions and procedures are reviewed. Field trips are required. This course may be taken two times for credit using different hardware. 10 Hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training provided. Students must pay the OSHA required fee in order to obtain the OSHA safety card.

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 Wire Sizing Quiz Voltage Drop Quiz Wire Sizing Example Word Problem Class LAB Projects: Create-A-Lab Student Project Inventory List Ground Trac - Ground Mount System Study Guides: How to Take Multiple Choice Tests PowerPoints: PV Modules Inverters Mounts & Rails 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 NEC 2008 - 690 NEC 2008 Tables 310.16 - 17 NEC 2008 Chp 9 - Tables 8-9 Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion Chart Square Root of 3 3 Phase Delta and WYE Orientation & Pitch Excerpt from - A GUIDE TO PV SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION by the CEC Other Helpful Website Links: Brooks Solar Jim Dunlop Solar Grid Alternatives

Class Lecture Notes: Class 1 Site Assessment Wire Sizing 1      Wire Sizing 1 - Example Problem Wire Sizing 2 Conduit Voltage Drop Intro to 3 Phase Midterm Review 3 Phase Review Final Review Class Presentations: Common Breaker Sizes Common Fuse Sizes NEC 240.6 Fuse and Breaker Sizes Conduit Bending Basics Transformer Chart Battery/Off-Grid 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 Design: Design Spreadsheet (Link) Great PV Drawing Resource: Brooks Engineering (Link) Solar Quotation Software How To Do PV Design Sample Jurisdiction Submission Requirements - City of Roseville Article 1 - String Sizing Tools and Choosing an Inverter Article 2 - String Sizing - Ask the Experts Other Articles: PV Grounding - John Wiles - Home Power - CC103 (Link)