AE 868
Commercial Solar Electric Systems

Overview

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Lesson 6 Scenario

You work as a solar system designer for a solar company. You have two potential clients who want to install PV systems. The first client is interested in a grid-connected system, while the other wants an off-grid system. After reviewing data collected by the sales representative from the site, your task is to accurately size these systems.

What do you look for when deciding the system size in regard to the load demand? Is there a difference between grid-connected and off-grid PV system design? What are the steps to designing each system?

In this lesson, we will find answers to these questions, and we will discuss topics ranging from load analysis to PV system design. This lesson prepares solar professionals to become PV system designers. Sizing PV systems is similar to art, where using the right tools ensures the PV system is sized to function properly.

Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this lesson, students should be able to:

  • Compare sizing strategies and methodologies for different PV system types.
  • List factors that affect sizing a PV system.
  • Calculate load requirements for different PV system types.
  • Apply tools for sizing grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems.

What is due for Lesson 6?

Lesson 6 will take us one week to complete. Please refer to the Calendar in Canvas for specific time frames and due dates. Specific directions for the assignments below can be found within this lesson and/or in Canvas.

Complete the following Lesson Assignments:

Questions?

If you have lesson specific questions, please feel free to post to the Lesson 6 Questions discussion forum in Canvas. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help a classmate with a question. If you have questions about the overall course or wish to share and discuss any "extra" course related commentary (interesting articles, etc.), please feel free to post to the General Questions and Discussion forum.