Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/20/2020 - 02/23/2020
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Oberlin College
February 20th – 23rd: at ETA Headquarters, Greencastle, IN
This course is designed for individuals who have already completed the ETA PV Level 1 Certification, or the NABCEP Photovoltaics Associate certificate and wish to advance their knowledge in the design and installation of photovoltaic systems. It goes into depth on differences between residential and commercial system design, installation and management. It also deals with project management and the financial aspects surrounding a solar installation.
Course Content Includes:
- Photovoltaics Updates
- State of the Industry
- Changes in the 2020 NEC
- Status of incentives
- Future trends/ products
- How the Grid Works
- Single phase/three phase variations
- Grid management
- Real power, Apparent power, Reactive power
- Understanding Power Factors and their effect on PV
- Maintaining power quality
- Electricity pricing schemes
- Determining the Customer’s Needs
- Load assessments
- Integrating electric vehicles
- Determining system configuration
- Calculating system cost and return on investment
- Ownership options
- Authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) and utility restrictions
- Completing the application package
- Conducting a Site Survey
- Locating the system on the site
- Mounting options
- Shading issues
- Balance of systems issues
- Evaluating existing electrical equipment
- Load side, supply side connections
- Integrating generators into the system
- Site hazard assessment
- Selecting the Components
- Rapid shutdown requirements
- Setback requirements
- Terminal temperature limits
- Integrating multiple inverters, combiner boxes
- Selecting components for residential and commercial systems
- Sizing the Array
- Futureproofing
- Calculating space required
- Wiring the System
- Voltage drop and voltage rise issues
- Wiring multiple inverter systems
- Six handle rule, 10-foot Tap rule, 25-foot Tap rule
- Raceways and conduit
- Grounding and bonding
- Energy Storage Systems
- Types of battery systems available
- Sizing, installing and testing battery bank systems
- Rapid shutdown issues with battery banks
- Electric Vehicle charging stations
- PV Mounting Systems
- Rooftop mounting structural and load concerns
- Ground mount site preparations and restrictions
- Conductor accessibility issues
- Managing the Project
- Preparing bid packages
- Coordinating project schedule
- Managing the project budget
- Permits and contracts
- Project documentation
- Customer interaction and orientation
- Project Safety
- OSHA requirements
- Safety policies and procedures
- Work site hazard assessments
- Testing and Troubleshooting
- Testing mechanical connections
- Testing electrical connections
- Inverter startup sequence
- System function tests
- Verifying energy production
- Testing the grounding and bonding system
- Troubleshooting
- Commissioning the System
- Final inspection checklist
- Verifying code compliance
- Labeling the system
- Maintaining the System
- Monitoring performance
- System maintenance
This course prepares you to sit for the ETA Photovoltaic Installer (PV2) Level 2. It is the second level of ETA’s certifications designed to assess renewable energy professionals.
This course assumes you have hands-on experience in the field. As part of the ETA PV2 certification, you will be asked to fill out an “on the job” checklist of tasks completed in the field. The checklist and the complete application process can be found here. There is a lot to cover in this four day class, so there will be no “hands on” component to the training (you get enough of that practice in the field).
The PV Level 2 certification does require that you also pass the ETA Customer Service Specialist certification (CSS). On the Thursday morning of the course (Feb 20th) we will do a quick review (a study guide for this certification will be sent to you when you register) and then we will conduct the certification exam. So if you already have your CSS, then the PV portion of the class will begin at noon on Thursday and you can use the morning for travel (or just relax). The CSS certification examination and study guide is included as part of this course registration.
The PV Level 2 certification also requires you obtain your OSHA 10 certificate. You can obtain that online from any number of vendors (that is not integrated into this training course but must be completed prior to the ETA Level 2 Certification being awarded.
The fee for this four-day course is $970 and includes: Instruction, textbook, CSS study guide, ETA PV2 examination fee, and the CSS examination fee. It also includes lunches (which will be catered in). This course is also eligible for VA and Americorps funding. Scholarships may also be available based on need. Contact us at 740-674-4300 for further details regarding the management of fees.
Early Registration Fee: $970 *
(by registering, you agree to the terms outlined in the Waiver of Liability)
*Give us a call regarding multi-registration discounts