This course explores the design and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and their applications both off-grid and on-grid. Both centralized solar power plants and distributed topologies will be considered.

Course Prerequisites:
Other Courses:

CETT 1403 – DC Circuits
CETT 1405 – AC Circuits
ELMT 2441 – Electromechanical Systems (not required but highly recommended)

Student Knowledge and Experience Assumptions:

No solar industry experience is assumed.
Basic skills required: add, subtract, multiple, divide, fractions, decimals, algebra, percentages, trigonometric functions, geometry, use of formulas, & word problems.
Use of a scientific calculator
Use of the internet and internet based tools
Use of a volt, ohm and ammeter
Fundamental principles of electricity (i.e. Ohm’s law, Watt’s law, Joule’s law, Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws, and efficiency)
Required Texts/Materials:

Required Textbook:

Photovoltaic Systems Second Edition, an American Technical Publishers, INC. publication; Author Jim Dunlop, PE; Copyright 2010 by National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry. ISBN# 082691308-1, American Technical Publishers, Inc. 1155 W. 175th Street, Homewood, IL 60430

Supplemental Textbook:

National Electrical Code® Handbook (NFPA 70), 2011 Edition; Authors: Mark W. Earley, Jeffrey S. Sargent, Joseph V. Sheehan, and E. William Buss; Published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).Copyright © 2010 by National Fire Protection Association®, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-7471. ISBN# 978-087765914-3

Materials:
Scientific Calculator
Flash Drive
COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

Course Outline/Calendar:
Topics covered in week number:

1. Course introduction and chapter 1
2. Chapters 2
3. Chapter 3, Quiz – chapters 1 and 2
4. Chapter 4 and 5
5. Chapter 5 class exercise, Quiz chapters 3 and 4,
6. Chapter 6, Labs 1 and 2,
7. Chapter 7, Quiz – chapters 5 and 6
8. Chapter 8, Labs 3, 4, 5 and 6
9. Chapter 9, Quiz – chapters 7 and 8
10.Chapter 9 class exercises, Mid-term exam
11.Chapter 9 class exercises (cont.), Chapter 10
12.Chapter 11
13.Chapter 14, Quiz 9, 10 and 11
14.Lab 7 & 8, Semester project presentations
15.Semester project presentations
16.Final exam

READINGS

Required Textbook:
Photovoltaic Systems Second Edition, an American Technical Publishers, INC. publication; Author Jim Dunlop, PE; Copyright 2010 by National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry. ISBN# 082691308-1, American Technical Publishers, Inc. 1155 W. 175th Street, Homewood, IL 60430

Supplemental Textbook:
National Electrical Code® Handbook (NFPA 70), 2011 Edition; Authors: Mark W. Earley, Jeffrey S. Sargent, Joseph V. Sheehan, and E. William Buss; Published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).Copyright © 2010 by National Fire Protection Association®, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-7471. ISBN# 978-087765914-3

COURSE SUBJECTS
Course Subjects: (from the textbook)

Chapter 1 – Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
Chapter 2 – Solar Radiation
Chapter 3 – Site Surveys and Preplanning
Chapter 4 – System Components and Configurations
Chapter 5 – Cells, Modules, and Arrays
Chapter 6 – Batteries
Chapter 7 – Charge Controllers
Chapter 8 – Inverters
Chapter 9 – System Sizing
Chapter 10 – Mechanical Integration
Chapter 11 – Electrical Integration
Chapter 14 – Commissioning, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting

 
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Course Rationale/Objective:
The course follows the requirements of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners task analysis and students will be able to sit for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) entry-level certificate of knowledge exam upon completion of this course.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to sit for the NABCEP Entry-Level Certificate of Knowledge exam upon completion of this course. This exam is designed for those individuals wanting to get into the solar field and will be a way for them to show that they have achieved basic knowledge, comprehension and application of key terms and concepts of photovoltaic (solar electric) systems operations. Taking the NABCEP exam at the end of the course is optional. There is an additional fee for the NABCEP exam.

Course Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to…

Describe markets and applications for photovoltaic systems.
Identify safety hazards of photovoltaic systems.
Identify practices and protective equipment used for PV systems installation and maintenance.
Define and demonstrate solar energy fundamentals
Conduct site assessments and planning for PV systems installations
Explain the characteristics of different PV system configurations
Explain and calculate PV module parameters using module specifications
Explain the differences between various PV technologies.
Describe the purpose and operation of PV balance-of-system (BOS) components
Calculate photovoltaic array and BOS component sizing
Conduct PV systems electrical design/integration per National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements
Conduct photovoltaic system mechanical design/integration
Calculate and analyze photovoltaic system performance
Understand proper installation and troubleshooting procedures
Understand and use the tools and online calculators for PV system design and installation

Instructional Methodology:
The methods of instruction include hands-on training as well as classroom instruction.

Labs will be performed during class time.

Classroom instruction will consist of interactive lectures, class discussions, exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and video illustrations. It will be based on the assumption that you have done the reading assignments before class.

Computers with internet access are available in the classroom for in-class exercises. Homework will primarily be reading assignments with the option of additional problem sets and internet research. Some classes my involve field trips within the City of FLORIDA.

Grading System:
Participation, Team work, Attendance 5%
Labs/Homework/pop quizzes 20%
Semester Project 10%
Chapter Exams (5 @ 7%) 35%
Mid-Term – Comprehensive 15%
Final Exam – Comprehensive 15%
Based on the total course score calculation above, your final course grade will be as follows:

90 ≤ “A” ≤ 100
80 ≤ “B” < 90
70 ≤ “C” < 80
60 ≤ “D” < 70
0 ≤ “F” < 60

COURSE POLICIES

Course Policies:

Attendance/Participation:
Attendance is very crucial and may make the difference between passing and not passing this class. You are expected to show up to every class and be on time. More than three unexcused absences from the class may result in you being dropped from the class.

There are a number of in-class exercises and labs where working in groups is key to the successful outcome. In these settings team work, cooperation, and patience is essential for success.

Dress Code:
During lab, students are required to wear close �toed shoes at all times. If you show up to lab in flip �flops or any open �toed footwear you will be asked to leave and you will be considered absent for that lab.

Cell Phones and IPods
Students must turn off or mute all cell phones during lab and class time. No IPods or other MP3 type devices are allowed in class. No text messaging is allowed in class.

Food and Beverages
Other than sealable bottles of water, food and beverage items are prohibited in the classroom and laboratory.

Withdrawal:
If circumstances arise such that you cannot complete this course, it is to your advantage to drop the class by the deadline to avoid getting an unsatisfactory grade on your permanent school record. Student or instructor may initiate withdrawals anytime during the semester before the official withdrawal deadline.

Students may be withdrawn from the course by the instructor. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to initiate the withdrawal process if they are unable to attend or complete their coursework as required. Failure to withdraw by the established deadline will result in a grade of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “F”, based on the student’s recorded performance in the course. Withdrawal forms are available from campus Admissions and Records offices.

Missed or Late Work
– Missed or late chapter review questions will contribute zero credit towards the final grade. The answers to the chapter review questions appear out on black board immediately following the due date and as such can no longer be valid for a grade.

– Late lab write up reports will be discounted by 50%. Lab reports must be turned in prior to sitting for the final exam to obtain any credit.

– Semester project reports/presentations are typically presented during the last two weeks of class. Once the time has been announced and presentations start, any student that is not ready to present when called upon will be given a grade of zero for this assignment.

– Missed mid-term exam or quizzes can be made up assuming that a proctor can be scheduled to administer the exam.

– Missed pop quizzes will not be made up and the grade assigned will be zero.

– A missed final exam will not be made up and the grade assigned will be zero. All remaining homework and assignments must be turned in prior to sitting for the final exam.

Incomplete:
A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (incomplete) at the end of the semester only if the following conditions are satisfied:

The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstance beyond their control. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed to earn a “C” by the end of the semester.

Arrangement for an incomplete must be made with the instructor.

A “Report of Incomplete Grade” form must be completed by the instructor and filed with the Program Coordinator.

To convert the incomplete “I” into a grade, the student must submit for grading all work required to complete the course to the instructor by a date specified by the instructor within the next immediately following semester, but absolutely no later than 2 weeks prior to drop date of the that semester. Incompletes not completed by the date specified automatically become a letter grade of “F” for the course.

Scholastic Dishonesty:
Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiary and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group, classroom presentations, and homework. The penalty for any violation of this policy is withdrawal from the course.

Academic Freedom:
Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Student Discipline:
All students are under terms and conditions of fasan general contractors policy.

Statement on Students with Disabilities:
Each fasan contractors campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.

Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations. Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at www.12bbs.org

Safety Statement:
FASAN FURNISHING ACADEMY is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with FFA environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow fasan contractors safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.fasancontractors.com/policy Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency ProcedColleges and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for FFA Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at: http://www.fasancontractors.com/policy

You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Use of ACC Email Communications:
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their fasanmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an fasanmail account can be found at http://www.fasancontractors.com/policy

Student and Instructional Services:
Fasan contractors strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at http://www.CHARIFEINNOVATIONACADEMY.com

Links to many student services and other information can be found at our Facebook page.

CHARIFE INNOVATION academy Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at: http://www.charifeinnovationacademy.com

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any fasan furnishing academy Learning Lab: http://www.charifeinnovationacademy.com

DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM
Students in the electronics department who are seeking a degree or certificate in any specialty, should visit with the electronics student advisor, Student Services, if they haven’t already for a degree audit.

All Electronics students must check their CHARIFE INNOVATION ACADEMY GMAIL ACCOUNT regularly throughout the semester. We will be sending pertinent information about scholarships, the course scheduling needs survey, job opportunities, MSDNAA free student software program, career fairs, special events, and etc. through the student gmail system.

All degree and certificate seeking students should declare their major at the Admissions and Records Office if they have not done so already.