SUS6007 - Battery-based Photovoltaic Design
Course Description
Students will work through step-by-step design process for battery-based applications, including stand-alone (off-grid), grid-tied with battery back-up, and hybrid systems. Apply the National Electrical Code (NEC) to battery-based systems.Learner Outcomes
This course will build upon the core concepts from the PV Associate course (enroll concurrently), with a specific emphasis on battery-based system design. Students will work through step-by-step design process for battery-based applications, including stand-alone (off-grid), grid-tied with battery back-up, and hybrid systems.
- Diagram a battery bank in series and parallel configurations
- Identify the proper safety protocols for working with batteries
- Draw a three-line schematic of a residential battery-based system, including the array, controller, batteries, inverter, disconnects, overcurrent protection, and grounding (including the equipment grounding conductors, ungrounded conductors, grounded conductors, the grounding electrode(s), and the system grounds)
- List the pros, cons, and applications of hybrid and AC and DC coupled systems
- Define depth of discharge, days of autonomy, equalization, and efficiency of a battery
- Create a maintenance schedule for batteries
- Calculate maximum charge rates for batteries and determine state of charge
- Identify the pros and cons of using valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) verses flooded batteries in specific system designs
- Specify either a PWM or MPPT charge controller depending on system parameters
- Specify a battery-based inverter given electrical load and surge requirements
- Evaluate a client’s electrical load and size a stand-alone system (including inverter, controller, battery bank, and array)
- Perform sizing calculations for their battery-based system
- Size a grid-tied with battery back-up system (including inverter, controller, battery bank, and array)
- Calculate and diagram appropriate series fusing for a battery-based system
- Identify appropriate disconnect and overcurrent protection placement
- Provide all NEC required labeling for a battery-based system
- List the order of commissioning and decommissioning, as well as potential safety hazards, for battery-based systems