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 equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements. 
This course is for anyone interested in entering the solar power sector, and is especially appropriate for building and code inspectors, engineers, HVAC installers and architects. It assumes that the learner has a basic grasp of electrical engineering 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. Learners seeking a greater understanding of the anatomy and function of PV systems should take the second course, Solar Energy and Electrical System Design.  

Material includes online lectures, videos, demos, hands-on exercises, project work, readings and discussions. This is the third 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 3 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. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

Articulate PV system building code essentials

Describe the site inspection process

Identify code and zoning rule considerations

Explain key design elements and points for inspection

Skills you will gain

Building CodesPermittingPV systemsSite inspection

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 3 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. 13 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

5/5 (6 Ratings)

Gay E Canough

Partner, Direct Gain Consulting

Founder, ETM Solar Works

11,607 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

Week

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Code and Inspection Requirements

Students will gain an understanding of the many codes impacting solar system design, installation and operation.

3 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 18 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

3 videos

Building Codes for Residential PV Systems5m

Codes for Commercial Roof Systems3m

Site Inspections9m

4 readings

Acknowledgements2m

International and United States Codes (Optional)40m

Code Adoption (Optional)20m

State-Level Code Amendments (Optional)20m

2 practice exercises

Code and Inspection Requirements Practice Quiz30m

Code and Inspection Requirements30m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Inspection Methods and the Permitting Process

Students will review to the types of codes and zoning rules inspectors consider when reviewing PV systems.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 18 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Code and Zoning Rules7m

Permitting3m

Planning Documents2m

Streamlining the Permitting Process3m

5 readings

International Codes (Optional)40m

U.S. National Electrical Code (Optional)10m

Uniform Building Code Updates for New York State (Optional)10m

Unified Solar Permit (Optional)10m

Solar Foundation Solar APP (Optional)10m

2 practice exercises

Inspection Methods and the Permitting Process Practice Quiz20m

Inspection Methods and the Permitting Process30m

Week

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Inspection Considerations

Students will explore key PV system design elements and points for inspection.

4 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 20 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Code Inspection Overview3m

Load Considerations7m

What to Inspect3m

Electrical Code Inspection6m

6 readings

Code Inspection Resources (Optional)30m

Hazard Maps (Optional)20m

Snow Load Information (Optional)20m

Flashing (Optional)10m

Inspection Resources (Optional)30m

Disconnects and Rapid Shutdown (Optional)30m

2 practice exercises

Inspection Considerations Practice Quiz30m

Inspection Considerations30m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Labeling Requirements

Students will learn about PV system labeling requirements for small and large systems.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 13 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

2 videos

System Labeling8m

Labeling and Inspecting Large Systems4m

3 readings

PV System Labeling Resources (Optional)20m

Power Optimizers (Optional)20m

Bonding and Grounding PV Systems (Optional)10m

2 practice exercises

Labeling Requirements Practice Quiz30m

Labeling Requirements30m

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 Codes, Permitting and Zoning