AE 868
Commercial Solar Electric Systems

Overview

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Lesson 10 Scenario

Imagine this scenario: you are assigned the role of project manager at the solar firm you work for, which designs PV systems for different market sectors. You have three new contracted PV projects that require planning for all logistics, the construction schedule, and the installation process. Your role is to get all of the systems installed in time by coordinating with different parties.

Assuming the first project is a small residential rooftop PV system, what are the considerations and planning process you should propose? In addition, you have another commercial pole mount PV system. Are the construction requirements any different from the rooftop system? Finally, you have a ground mount large scale PV system. Does the size affect the construction and logistics strategies?

In this lesson, we will disclose some construction considerations for these different systems and, in addition, we will discuss with our solar professionals the OSHA safety issues related to PV systems. This lesson helps our solar professionals, employees, and business owners get prepared to manage any solar project and understand the bigger picture of the design and installation process.

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Identify procurement and contracting strategies for project teams
  • Identify electrical safety hazards associated with operating and non-operating to PV systems and components.
  • List types of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and how they relate to PV installations and maintenance.
  • Demonstrate how to apply OSHA regulations as they relate to specific safety hazards.

What is due for Lesson 10?

Lesson 10 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:

*Students who register for this Penn State course gain access to assignments, all readings, and instructor feedback, and earn academic credit. Information about registering for this Penn State course is available through the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems Online Masters and Graduate Certificate Programs Office.

Questions?

If you have lesson specific questions, please feel free to post to the Lesson 10 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.