Overview of Solar Technologies and Solar Construction
CEUs: ICC 0.2, RESNET 2
This course is designed to be an introduction to passive and active solar systems that includes a history of how solar features were included in ancient dwellings up to the present time. This quick but comprehensive course includes:
- How solar photovoltaic (PV) collectors are manufactured, the types of PV collectors available, and their efficiencies.
- The difference between passive and active solar systems and an examination of their components.
- How to size and determine the cost of a solar electric (PV) system.
- How to calculate the federal tax credit incentives for residential renewable energy systems.
- How to find additional rebates, incentives, funding, and other programs for residential renewable energy systems.
Course Outline
| Module 1 | Introduction | |
|---|---|---|
This module provides an introduction to this online, on-demand course and the course materials. | ||
| Unit 1 | Introduction and Course Materials | |
| Module 2 | Solar Basics | |
This module consists of a quick overview of solar system terminology and types of solar systems. | ||
| Unit 1 | Solar System Primer | |
| Unit 2 | Solar System Primer Quiz | |
| Unit 3 | Passive Solar Sunrooms-Solariums-Greenhouses | |
| Unit 4 | Passive Solar Sunrooms-Greenhouse-Solariums Quiz | |
| Unit 5 | History of Solar Construction | |
| Unit 6 | History of Solar Construction Quiz | |
| Module 3 | Passive and Active Solar | |
The features and components of active and passive solar are explored in this module. | ||
| Unit 1 | Principles of Passive Solar Design | |
| Unit 2 | Principles of Passive Solar Design Quiz | |
| Unit 3 | Solar Thermal System Types | |
| Unit 4 | Solar System Thermal Types Quiz | |
| Module 4 | Solar Electricity | |
Solar electric systems, also known as Photovoltaic or PV systems, are being installed in record numbers. This module delves into how these systems work to produce electricity. | ||
| Unit 1 | Photovoltaic Solar Cells, Modules, and Arrays | |
| Unit 2 | Photovoltaic Solar Cells, Modules and Arrays Quiz | |
| Unit 3 | Grid Connected and On-Site Power Production | |
| Unit 4 | Grid Connected and On-Site Power Production Quiz | |
| Unit 5 | The Role of the Solar Inverter | |
| Unit 6 | The Role of the Solar Inverter Quiz | |
| Unit 7 | Utility Metering of Solar | |
| Unit 8 | Utility Metering of Solar Quiz | |
| Unit 9 | Size and Cost of PV Systems | |
| Unit 10 | Size and Cost of PV Systems Quiz | |
| Module 5 | Solar Incentives | |
There are tax benefits involved when installing solar energy systems plus other incentives and rebates may also be available. This unit provides insight into determining the available incentives and how they factor into the total solar system cost. | ||
| Unit 1 | Incentives for Solar | |
| Unit 2 | Incentives for Solar Quiz | |
| Module 6 | Overview of Solar Technologies and Solar Construction Final Exam | |
This module contains the final exam required to obtain the credits or CEUs for this course. | ||
| Unit 1 | Overview of Solar Technologies and Solar Construction Final Exam | |
