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Study at your own pace
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Study from any location
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Our video-based course brings our classroom experience to you
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Our web-based learning platform provides quizzes, tutorials, online chat and email support and remote instructor support
This course provides you with basic knowledge of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, modules, and system components; electrical circuits; PV system design, estimation, and code requirements; solar electric products and applications; an understanding of energy conversion from sunlight to electricity, and how to work with solar conversion equipment.
The course is designed for anyone interested in solar energy, those in career change who are interested in working in the solar energy industry, and contractors and business owners who want to expand into solar energy system design and installation. No prior knowledge or experience with solar energy is required.
The course follows the Institute for Sustainable Power Quality® (ISPQ) standards and the NABCEP® photovoltaic learning objectives and task analysis. The course focuses on real-world, site-specific knowledge and consists of 13 Lessons.
3>In addition to the online lessons, you will receive two books, and an Ontility branded binder:
- Photovoltaic Systems by Jim Dunlop
- Photovoltaic System Design and Installation Manual by Solar Energy International
(These are the most widely used and most well-respected texts in the industry – included at no additional charge).
- ONTILITY branded binder and course documents.
Register now - Begin solar training this week!
After you complete a quick, simple registration, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your payment. The e-mail will also contain instructions about when you can expect to receive your books and your login information. You should receive your books within 48 hours of completing registration – your login will be activated at that time.
Become Certified Upon Course Completion
Become an ONTILITY Certified Partner!
Most students complete the online portion of Entry Level Solar Electric Training in about 4 weeks. Then you are eligible to attend a 2-day ONTILITY Solar Installation Lab (S106). When you complete the online course (S105), you will be entitled to become an ONTILITY Certified Partner.
Become an ONTILITY Certified Partner
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Become a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer!
ONTILITY is not only the leading solar and green jobs trainer in the US. ONTILITY also provides the solar industry most complete end-to-end platform for solar business success. Our platform not only provides a quick launch into the industry, our platform also insures repeatable success project after project. ONTILITY offers a program called our Quick Launch Solar Program dedicated to a quick launch as well as sustainable success.
Course Pricing and Packaging Discounts
- Online class alone (S105) - Register now!
$800
(Become an ONTILITY Certified Partner)
- Online class and Lab (S105 + S106) - Register now!
$1,300
(Become an ONTILITY Certified Installer and Become Eligible to sit for the NABCEP Entry Level PV Exam)
- Online class, lab and COK test (S105 + S106 + EX100 + Learning Objectives Test) - Register now!
$1,450
(Become an ONTILITY Certified Installer and Become Eligible to sit for the NABCEP Entry Level PV Exam)
- Quick Launch Solar Program - Become "Powered by ONTILITY" - Register now!
$2,995
Includes:
- Online Class (S105)
- Solar Install Lab (S106)
- NABCEP Entry Level Solar PV Exam Prep (EX100)
- NABCEP Entry Level Solar PV Test
- Solar Pathfinder
- Day Star Solar Meter
- Discounted Dealer Prices for Products
- Flexible Dealer Finance Program
- Retained Services Agreement for Marketing Support, Sales Support, Design Support and Field Support.
- Sales Leads and Network Support
- Much Much More – Inquiry for more details
Entry Level Solar Electric Training – Online includes the following lessons.
| PV Markets & Applications | |
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| Description |
A general overview of photovoltaic energy production and how it is applied. |
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| Objectives |
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history and background of the solar PV industry.
- Describe advantages and challenges associated with PV.
- Describe various common system configurations and applications.
- Describe various types of PV equipment and systems including emerging technologies.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 1, Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 1 & 4 |
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| Topics |
PV history, system configurations, applications, markets, advantages and challenges. |
| Recommended Safety Practices | |
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| Description |
Overview of required and recommended practices for safe installation of solar PV systems. |
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| Objectives |
- Describe OSHA requirements regarding safe working conditions on construction sites.
- Demonstrate understanding of safety practices for working at heights.
- Describe safety hazards related to PV installation.
- Describe personal protective equipment and demonstrate proper use.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 16; Article: Working Safely with Photovoltaic Systems |
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Safety standards, personal protection equipment, ladders and roofs, safety harnesses and fall protection, electrical safety. |
| Solar Energy Fundamentals | |
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| Description |
A comprehensive presentation of the solar resource. |
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| Objectives |
- Describe the sun’s path across the sky during the course of a day and throughout the year.
- Define basic terms related to earth’s orbit, the sun’s path and the orientation of positions on earth relative to the sun.
- Describe various aspects of solar energy and related terms.
- Demonstrate understanding of array orientation and its effect on production.
- Demonstrate understanding of the effect of shading on array production.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 3; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 2 |
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| Topics |
Earth orbit and rotation, sun path, solar window, solar radiation, array orientation, daily solar energy resource, effects of shading on solar energy production. |
| Electricity Basics | |
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| Description |
Overview of basic electrical concepts, terminology, calculations and considerations specific to PV systems. |
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| Objectives |
- Describe electrical concepts including voltage, current, power and resistance.
- Define terms related to electrical concepts.
- Calculate values for voltage, current and power in various electrical circuits.
- Demonstrate understanding of series and parallel wiring and how it applies to PV systems.
- Describe the difference between power and energy and how they are measured.
- Describe common electrical components found in PV systems.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 2 |
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Electrical concepts, terminology and circuits; formulas and calculations. |
| Solar Module Fundamentals | |
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| Description |
Presentation of how solar cells produce electricity, how they are arranged in modules and how arrays are configured; various types of solar PV material and how it is manufactured. |
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| Objectives |
- Describe the photovoltaic effect.
- Describe the differences between cells, modules, panels and arrays.
- Describe rating systems used to evaluate PV production.
- Describe PV performance parameters and the I-V curve.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 5; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 5 |
| PV System Mechanical Design | |
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| Description |
An overview of factors related to the physical installation of PV systems. |
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| Objectives |
- Define various types of physical loads and how they impact PV system installation.
- Describe mechanical design considerations for mounting PV systems.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 12; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 10 |
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Structural considerations related to mechanical design, various types of physical loads, roof, ground and pole mounting. |
| Conducting a Site Survey | |
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| Description |
An in-depth look at conducting a successful site survey. |
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| Objectives |
- List the tools used during a site survey and the information which should always be gathered.
- Describe an appropriate sequence of tasks related to conducting a cost-effective site survey.
- Demonstrate proper use of shading analysis tools.
- Describe the information required regarding job site access and safety.
- Describe site survey information needed regarding electric service and balance of system.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 3 |
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| Topics |
Site survey checklist and tools, initial analysis; shading analysis; structural inspection; access and job site safety; array layout; balance of system location. |
| Balance of Systems: Inverters | |
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| Description |
A thorough introduction to inverters and how they function in a PV system. |
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| Objectives |
- Define inverter and describe how it functions.
- Describe various waveforms and associated inverters.
- Describe inverter input and output characteristics and specifications.
- Discuss NEC related to inverters.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 8; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 8 |
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| Topics |
Purpose and function of inverters; types of inverters and how each is used; inverter-grid interconnection; NEC related to inverter. |
| Balance of Systems: Charge Controllers & Batteries | |
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| Description |
A thorough explanation of batteries used and charge controllers, how they function and their use in PV systems. |
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| Objectives |
- Describe what a battery is and how it stores and provides electricity.
- Describe battery components and their function.
- Describe battery life-cycle and maintenance issues and procedures for maximizing battery life.
- Describe battery capacity and how it is measured.
- Describe the purpose of various types of charge controllers and how they work.
- Describe hazards related to batteries and how to work safely with various types of batteries.
- Define MPPT and describe its purpose in a PV system.
- Describe battery charging and discharging characteristics.
- Describe battery bank configurations as applied to PV systems.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 6 & 7; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 6 & 7 |
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| Topics |
Charge controller types and function; battery types, construction and characteristics; battery charging, discharging, capacity, life-cycle and maintenance; battery system configurations, stand-alone and grid-interactive; battery safety. |
| Racking | |
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| Description |
A detailed presentation of PV array mounting components and installation techniques. |
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| Objectives |
- Describe types of array mounting systems and where they are used, including advantages and disadvantages for each type.
- Describe mounting components and how they are used.
- Describe structural considerations and attachment methods for roof mounted PV arrays.
- Describe materials and methods for sealing roof penetrations.
- Describe the procedure for common installation on a wood-frame house with a shingled roof.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 10; Resource PV Array Installation Manual |
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| Topics |
Ground and pole mounting systems, BIPV systems, roof mounting systems, mounting and racking components, roof penetrations and sealing, common roof attachments, aesthetics. |
| PV System Sizing | |
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| Description |
A detailed explanation of how to calculate and specify PV system sizes and capacities. |
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| Objectives |
- Analyze expected load demand for stand alone and grid interactive service.
- Given a particular site, estimate the output the PV system peak output (DC and AC).
- Calculate size of grid interactive systems.
- Describe relationship of MPPT on sizing systems.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 10 & 11; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 9 |
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| Topics |
Solar energy estimation, energy consumption estimation, battery backup systems, load profile, multi-wire branch circuits. |
| PV System Electrical Design | |
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| Description |
A detailed presentation of PV system electrical design and wiring considerations. |
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| Objectives |
- Describe the steps for completing a PV system electrical design.
- Calculate array and system voltages and currents.
- Specify wire, conduit, disconnect, over-current protection devices and other components.
- Describe and apply how temperature affects system electrical design and component specifications.
- Describe grid interconnection issues and methods.
- Describe system and component grounding requirements and methods.
- Demonstrate familiarity with appropriate NEC sections.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 9 & 11; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 11 & 12 |
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| Topics |
PV array output voltage and current, temperature deration, wire, conduit, disconnect and overcurrent protection device sizing, voltage drop, grounding, utility connections, line and load side connections, critical loads. |
| Maintenance & Troubleshooting | |
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| Description |
A presentation of PV system testing and commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting procedures. |
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| Objectives |
- List the steps for testing a newly installed PV systems.
- Describe the tools used for performing system tests.
- Describe each of the tests performed on PV systems and how test results are used.
- Describe the most common system faults and appropriate remedies.
- Demonstrate how to use a multi-meter to measure voltage, current and continuity – describe how these measurements are used to diagnose system faults.
- Describe how measures system efficiency.
- Outline maintenance procedures for various system types including those with batteries.
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| Resources |
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, SEI: Ch. 15; Photovoltaic Systems, ATP: Ch. 14 |
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Solar PV & Solar Thermal Courses 
