Produced by Conergy
Presented by American Solar Energy Society
Testimonials from 2009

Solar Success! Pro-Technical Track
Advanced Technical Topics

In-depth description and agenda

• Day One details
• Day Two details
• Instructor Bios

Dates

Monday, May 17 – Tuesday, May 18, followed by Solar Success Fast Track sessions on Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20

Training Time

Two days of exclusive content plus two days of 5-6 concurrent business/product training tracks

Training Partner

SolarPro Magazine

Target Audience

This program is designed for experienced solar system designers, project managers, engineers, and experienced field technicians seeking to advance their technical skills. It is particularly suited to those who are presently working in the grid-tie and battery-based residential markets and who intend to enter the small-commercial (10kW-1Mw) market. This training is also suited to commercial-only electrical contracting businesses interested in operating in the commercial solar market.

Topics Covered

Introduction
The technical training specialists at SolarPro magazine will bring together some of the country's premiere PV experts, developing a comprehensive slate of advanced system design and installation workshops. The program is intended for experienced (NABCEP or equivalent level) PV designers, engineers and installers currently working at or aspiring to the 1 MW project size. Subject matter focus is progressive, moving logically from pre-design to design to installation, permitting to inspection, commissioning to O&M. Technical emphasis will be placed on optimization at all stages of project development and deployment with special attention given to safety concerns and code compliance.

Course Objectives
It is the goal for the participants of the Pro Track to feel comfortable scaling up from large residential and small commercial projects to systems in the 100s of kW and approaching 1MW. The information presented shall allow installers and designers to immediately apply the techniques and processes given throughout the sessions. Participants will also be exposed to resources to help them further after leaving the classroom and encountering specific situations on the job. Each training session is aligned with the NABCEP Job Task Analysis to assist those seeking education toward their NABCEP Certification.

Day One

Session One: Site Evaluation

A site evaluation is the first step in establishing a good overall PV design. Information that is incorrect or missing results in return trips to the site or additional time tracking down the required information. This session will focus on the best practices used in developing a complete site survey for a commercial application. An emphasis will be placed on establishing a process to gather information, shading analysis, structural components to look for, electrical service considerations and roof evaluation. (1.25 hours)

Session Objectives

Session Two: System Design: DC Side Components

Designing the PV array will involve numerous components. It is important for the designer and installer to understand the requirements and limitations of all the components involved. This session will focus on specifying the components used on the DC side of the system. Methods involved in choosing PV modules, racking systems, combiners and disconnects will be explained. Roofing considerations, especially roof penetrations and proper sealing methods, will be included. (1.75 hours)

Session Objectives

Session Three: System Design: DC Side Calculations

In order to ensure a smooth installation, the up-front calculations need to be done efficiently and correctly. This session will continue with the DC side focus be examining the calculations required. Methodologies used to comply with NEC voltage and current requirements will be presented. Participants will have a better understanding of the calculations used, how to apply them and methods to properly size conductors and OCPD. Safety and code considerations for field crew will be identified and discussed. (1 hour)

Session Objectives

Session Four: System Design: AC Side and Interconnection

The AC side of the system has very specific considerations when compared to the DC side. Inverter selection (central vs. string vs. micro), inverter location, the point of common connection (POCC) with the utility and voltage drop considerations are some of the design elements this session will evaluate. The importance of array to inverter matching will be examined in addition to properly matching the inverter(s) to the utility service available. Some of the safety issues that are commonly found in larger commercial systems will be addressed. (2.25 hours)

Session Objectives

Session Five: PV Plan Sets

The diligence used to properly design the AC and DC sides of a PV system need to be shown though the use of proper plan sets. Plan sets will be used in the permitting process, construction and inspection. This requires attention to many details so that all parties can properly perform their tasks as it relates to the PV system. This session will establish the required levels of information needed in order to convey the design to all parties. (1 hour)

Session Objectives

Day Two

Session One: Permitting and Inspection

A project's success can very well be judged by the ability to move through permitting and inspection. While they are very different processes that occur at different ends of the project's time line, they are very much connected. This session will focus on the work done with the Solar ABCs and their efforts to streamline the permitting process. Topics will include information to compile for jurisdictions, how to properly obtain and report information and field inspection guidelines. (2 hours)

Session Objectives

Session 2: Code Violations

In an effort to minimize unexpected costs and performing redundant tasks, every effort should be made up front to minimize code violations (NEC and IBC). This session will cover commonly seen code violations and steps installers can take to avoid such mistakes. Issues such as wire management, proper labeling, grounding, equipment selection and location will be covered. System design issues that can help mitigate in the field problems will also be covered. (1 hour)

Session Objectives

Session Three: Commissioning and Acceptance

Proper commissioning allows integrators to establish a known baseline for the installation on day one. This information can be used to validate future production from the array under a variety of conditions. This session will allow integrators to establish a plan for project commissioning. Topics will include how to identify proper tests to perform, proper commissioning sequences, methods to record data and ways to validate the data taken. (2 hours)

Session Objectives

Session Four: Troubleshooting and O&M

Operation and maintenance can be an overlooked component of the PV system. With no maintenance a PV system is susceptible to poor production and unhappy clients. This session outlines the required O&M procedures that need to be followed and points that should be considered to establish a good O&M contract. When issues do arise, proper methods for troubleshooting will be introduced including tracking down ground faults and safety issues to be aware of. (1 hour)

Session Objectives

Session Five: Q&A with all presenters

As a way to wrap up all the sessions, all the presenters will be on stage for the final session. This moderated panel will allow the participants to follow up with any questions that have come up since the presentations. (1.25 hours)

Session Objectives

schedule

Certification

Conergy certificate of completion; NABCEP continuing education units (TBD). This course is designed in accordance with the NABCEP job task analysis used for the Solar Installer Certification Exam.

Additional Benefits

10% SEI training discount

Receive a 10% discount off of any non-branded SEI 2010 in-person workshop or online course, from when you register for the conference until June 30, 2010. Only one discount per person. Conergy will provide all registered participant's with a discount code as part of their confirmation information. Just call 970-963-8855 to register. Available for Solar Success! Training Event participants only. This is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash or equivalent.

Instructor Biographies

David Brearley is the senior technical editor for PV at SolarPro magazine. His solar education began at the San Juan College Renewable Energy Program in Farmington, New Mexico. David became NABCEP certified in 2004, and after working for a national distributor, he transitioned to commercial and residential PV system integration in Austin, Texas. He serves as co-chair of the Solar Electric and Distributed Generation subcommittee for the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association.

Bill Brooks has worked with utility-interconnected systems since the late 80's. He is a consultant to the industry on a variety of performance, troubleshooting, and training topics. Over the past nine years, his training workshops have helped over 3,000 inspectors and over 4,000 electricians and installers understand PV systems and how to properly install them. Mr. Brooks has written several important technical manuals that are now widely used in California and beyond. His experience includes work on technical committees for the NEC, Article 690, and IEEE utility interconnection standards for PV systems. He holds Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from N.C. State University and is a Registered Professional Engineer in both North Carolina and California.

Blake Gleason manages the engineering department at Sun Light & Power, a 33-year-old solar design/build firm where he previously was a foreman and built more than 100 residential and commercial PV systems. He possesses an MS in mechanical engineering, a California professional engineer license and a California C-10 electrical license. He is a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer and a California-certified journeyman electrician.

Marvin R Hamon, P.E. is a Principle with Hamon Engineering and has been involved with renewable energy since the late 1970s helping friends with off grid systems. In 1994 he graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering focused on power. He began providing engineering services to the PV industry in 2004 and has designed numerous systems ranging in size from 1kW to multi-megawatt systems for commercial, institutional, and wholesale clients. He teaches PV classes at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill CA and is a licensed electrical engineer in the states of California, Arizona, and Oregon. He volunteers with the IEEE Power & Energy Society, Northern California Solar Energy Association, Engineers Without Borders, and NABCEP.

Ryan Mayfield is a technical editor for PV at SolarPro magazine and has been working in the renewable energy field since 1999. He is also the principal of Renewable Energy Associates, a consulting firm in Corvallis, Oregon that provides design, support and educational services. Ryan is an ISPQ Certified Master Trainer for Lane Community College's Energy Management Program. Ryan holds a Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) license in Oregon, is a NABCEP Certified PV installer and chairs the state's LRT apprenticeship committee.

Phil Undercuffler enjoys life off the grid near Madrid, New Mexico, in an ever-evolving project of a home. Phil installed that first system in 1995 as an owner-builder, proceeded on to become a licensed Electrical Contractor and Journeyman Electrician specializing in both standalone and grid connected PV, and now serves as Product Manager for Conergy. When not busy keeping up with his wife and twin daughters, Phil is a proud member of the Madrid Volunteer Fire Department.