PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DESIGN & INSTALLATION

***This Independent Study Course Gives The User 127 Days To Complete The Course***

This online course will provide the student technician with the fundamental knowledge of photovoltaic system design and installation. This course will be suitable for a supervised, entry level position with a dealer/installer or other photovoltaic industry company. Student technicians will learn the practical design criteria,installation guidelines,safety issues,maintenance, and legal considerations of photovoltaic systems. Instructor mentored. Manuals included.

The essential training objective of this course is to provide the entry level photovoltaic installer/technician with fundamental technical knowledge on photovoltaics in order that the technician may acquire and advance in design, installation and servicing responsibilities as the market for photovoltaic power systems progresses.

Upon completion of this course, the student technician should be able to:

-Recognize the various types of photovoltaic systems and components currently in use.
-Understand safe working practices.
-Properly design and size residential photovoltaic power systems.
-Assist in the planning and installation of photovoltaic arrays and components.
-Understand the types of codes and standards that apply to the proper installation of photovoltaic systems.
-Understand the types of permits, warranties, and the customer relations required for completion of the overall solar project.
-Assist in the servicing of common photovoltaic systems.
-Improve the quality of installations.

LEARN ONLINE
The material will be taught in an online coursehost medium using web links and text reading assignments. This will be an instructor-facilitated course. Weekly online threaded discussions will allow students and instructor to communicate and share ideas with each other.

COURSE PREREQUISITES
A basic understanding of AC and DC electricity is necessary in order to fully comprehend photovoltaic power systems. Basic industrial math skills, including arithmetic and basic mathematics, metric measurements, and calculator fundamentals are also recommended.

REQUIRED COMPUTER SKILLS
You should have some experience and familiarity with navigating and using the internet as an information and communication resource, knowing how to download files, attach document files to e-mail, use word processing software are necessary skills to achieving academic success in an online course environment.
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BROWSER REQUIREMENTS
Internet Explorer or other equivalent browser and internet connection is all that are required to take this course.

EVALUATION
Mastery of these training objectives will be demonstrated by successful completion of fifteen online unit quizzes and a final examination. The student must obtain a minimum of 65% overall to receive a Certificate of Completion.

DISCLAIMER
Successful completion of this course does not qualify or certify you to install photvoltaic systems, nor does it replace any local or state licensing or other requirements. Student technicians are encouraged to obtain additional hands on training and supervised on the job experience.

GETTING STARTED
Register and log into course site. Locate Orientation. Your first week will cover orientation and go over how the course is run and what you can expect from your instructor and the course. You will then proceed to Lesson One, Introduction to Photovoltaics.
Thank you for your participation and your dedication to the renewable energy industry!