Advanced PV Systems

Engineering · about 8 hours · 12 lessons and builds · for installers moving to grid-tie, hybrid and three-phase work

Design strings against the cold-morning window, protect and ground an array to PEC 6.90, choose between grid-tie, hybrid and AC-coupled topologies, and commission the result.

Strings and the cold window, shading, OCPD, grounding and SPDs, grid-tie / hybrid / AC-coupled / three-phase, commissioning, code.

Before you start: Solar PV Systems

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Module 1: 1 · Strings and the cold-morning window

• A string against the controller: the cold-morning Voc
• Cold mornings raise Voc; hot noons cut power

Module 2: 2 · Shading, bypass and blocking

• Shading and bypass diodes: a shadow costs more than its size

Module 3: 3 · Overcurrent protection for arrays

• Wiring, fuses and breakers for an array: the 1.25 and 1.56 rules

Extra practice:

• Fuses and fault current

Module 4: 4 · Grounding, bonding and surge

• Grounding, bonding and surge protection: the two jobs of earth

Extra practice:

• RCD protection: someone touches a live wire

Module 5: 5 · Grid-tie

• Grid-tie solar in a brownout: why the lights go out even at noon

Module 6: 6 · Hybrid and AC-coupled

Module 7: 7 · Three-phase

• Three-phase star (Y)
• Three-phase delta (Δ)

Module 8: 8 · Commissioning and the code

• Commissioning and troubleshooting: the checklist and the fault
• Code and safety: PEC 2017 and NEC 690 in one page