This course is part of the Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors Specialization

Gay E Canough

Offered By

University at Buffalo

The State University of New York

Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors SpecializationUniversity at Buffalo

About this Course

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This course supplies learners with the insights necessary for properly planning, and therefore successfully installing, a photovoltaic (PV) system per design specifications. It directs learners through the important steps of initial site inspection and evaluating appropriate locations for PV systems, and features unique elements of residential, small, industrial and utility-scale solar applications. The course probes key design concerns – including load, efficiency, and mechanical and electrical design – as well as aesthetics and tools for planning. Learners experiment with calculations needed to design a PV system, exercising newly gained knowledge about site selection, layout, code compliance, system components, and wire sizing.                
This course is targeted for engineers who have interest in entering the solar power sectors. It is also appropriate for HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors. Learners should have a basic grasp of electrical engineering, physics and mathematical concepts. Those who are unfamiliar with how PV works, the elements of a PV system, and/or solar power ROI should take the first course of the specialization, Solar Energy Systems Overview.

Material includes online lectures, videos, demos, hands-on exercises, project work, readings and discussions. This is the second course in the Solar PV for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors specialization. To learn more about the specialization, check out a video overview at https://youtu.be/XjkKzbXqA6s.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 3 in the

Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

Analyze advantages and disadvantages of various PV systems

Evaluate PV system requirements

Identify key PV design considerations and planning tools

Skills you will gain

Mechanical DesignElectrical DesignPV system sizingPV systemsPV system design

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 3 in the

Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors Specialization

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.66/5 (75 Ratings)

Gay E Canough

Partner, Direct Gain Consulting

Founder, ETM Solar Works

11,569 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) is a premier, research-intensive public university and the largest, most comprehensive institution of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. UB offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees and nearly 300 graduate and professional programs.

The State University of New York

The State University of New York, with 64 unique institutions, is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States. Educating nearly 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs both on campus and online, SUNY has nearly 3 million alumni around the globe.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(1,604 ratings)

Week

Week 1

4 hours to complete

PV Design Basics

Learners will explore site inspection considerations, shade calculations, roof assessments, solar panel location and spacing, floodplains, power line and battery locations, circuit boxes, pros and cons of rooftop and ground-mounted systems, and considerations related to commercial and utility scale solar applications.

4 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 38 min), 9 readings, 3 quizzes

11 videos

Initial Site Inspection1m

Shade Calculations8m

Roof Assessments4m

Solar Panel Location and Spacing5m

Floodplains1m

Power Line and Battery Locations2m

Circuit Boxes2m

Pros and Cons of Rooftop Systems3m

Ground Mounts and Building Integrated PV2m

Large Commercial, Community, and Utility-Scale Solar3m

Site Visit Summary46s

9 readings

Acknoweldgements2m

Shade Calculation Tools (Optional)30m

Guide to Structural Consideration (Optional)30m

Sun Path Chart Program (Optional)20m

U.S. Floodplain Data (Optional)10m

Ground Mount vs Rooftop Mounted Systems (Optional)10m

Ground Mounts and Off-Grid Systems (Optional)20m

Building-Integrated PV (Optional)20m

Land Requirements for Solar PV Systems 10m

3 practice exercises

PV Design Basics- Practice Quiz 120m

PV Design Basics Practice Quiz 220m

PV Design Basics30m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

PV Design Considerations

Students will learn about system loads and efficiency, wind and weight loading, how to calculate the proper size for lag bolts, measuring excess capacity, and considerations related to ballast systems.

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 28 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes

7 videos

Load3m

Efficiency4m

Wind Loading7m

Lag Bolt Calculations4m

Weight Loading2m

Measuring Excess Capacity2m

Ballast System1m

6 readings

System Sizing Calculation10m

Full Sun Hours Chart10m

Efficiency Calculation10m

Wind Map and ASCE 7 (Optional)20m

Wind Loading Calculation Formulas and Examples (Optional)15m

Wood Handbook10m

2 practice exercises

PV Design Considerations Practice Quiz20m

PV Design Considerations30m

Week

Week 3

5 hours to complete

Electrical System Design

Students will learn about system sizing considerations and calculations.

5 hours to complete

14 videos (Total 67 min), 14 readings, 3 quizzes

14 videos

Load and Size4m

Inverters and Solar Panels10m

Code1m

String Size, Pathways, and Module Curves6m

Temperature Coefficient7m

Inverter Capacity3m

System Design Calculation2m

Voltage Drop Overview4m

Wire Run and Voltage Drop3m

Ampacity5m

Conduits in Different Scenarios5m

Managing Current6m

Shut Off4m

Conclusion2m

14 readings

Evaluating Loads (Optional)20m

Types of Inverters (Optional)10m

U.S. National Electric Code20m

Trina Spec Sheet (Optional)10m

Temperature Coefficient Calculations (Optional)10m

SMA Inverter Capacity Spec Sheet (Optional)10m

Calculating Voltage Change (Optional)10m

Voltage Drop Calculation - Part I (Optional)10m

Voltage Drop Calculation - Part II10m

Ampacity Table 310.15(B)(16) (Optional)5m

De-Rating Calculations (Optional)10m

Ambient Temperature Adjustments (Optional)20m

Ampacity Calculation10m

Micro-Inverter Spec Sheet10m

3 practice exercises

Electrical System Design Practice Quiz 115m

Electrical System Design Practice Quiz 220m

Electrical System Design30m

Week

Week 4

4 hours to complete

Recommendation Options

Students will learn about aesthetics considerations and tools for PV planning

4 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 34 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

PV Aesthetics7m

Codes, Clean Energy Goals, and Costs4m

Design Considerations5m

PV Planning15m

7 readings

Solar Shingles, Tiles, and Solar Roofs (Optional)20m

PV Aesthetics (Optional)20m

Codes (Optional)40m

Solar PV Costs (Optional)20m

Design Considerations (Optional)30m

Planning Calculations (Optional)10m

Planning Tools (Optional)30m

2 practice exercises

Recommendation Options Practice Quiz30m

Recommendation Options30m

About the Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors Specialization

This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems, considerations for designing a PV system, and fundamental code compliance. Materials primarily focus on solar PV in the United States. To learn more, view an overview at https://youtu.be/XjkKzbXqA6s.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Solar Energy and Electrical System Design