Solar Energy Basics
CEUs: 0.7 ICC
Solar energy is one of the few options that a person can use to offset rising conventional heating, cooling, and electricity costs. Basic building science research has shown that adding more insulation, making a residence more air-tight, and installing higher efficiency HVAC* equipment can reduce the cost of the monthly energy bills. Every one of these energy efficiency upgrades can lessen the use of conventional energy but none of them provides an alternative energy source.
Solar energy systems provide energy production independent from traditional energy sources that are based upon fossil fuels or nuclear energy. The potential to disconnect from the electric grid and/or other energy pipelines is highly appealing to many people.
This course represents a comprehensive overview of how solar energy systems, specifically solar electric or Photovoltaic (PV) systems, work. You will learn about the components of solar electric systems, the sizing of solar electric installations and energy storage options. You will also learn the financial aspects of cost/benefit and payback analysis.
*HVAC: Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (Cooling)
Course Objectives
- Learn about solar electric systems, their components, and the terminology used to describe them.
- Understand the difference between grid-connected versus off-grid solar systems. Gain knowledge about battery storage benefits and drawbacks.
- Become familiar with system sizing and cost considerations for solar electric systems.
Course Outline
| Module 1 | Getting Started and Course Materials | |
|---|---|---|
| This "Solar Energy Basics" course includes passive and active solar systems with emphasis on solar electric systems, aka; Photovoltaic or PV systems. Your instructor for this online, on-demand course is Dan Chiras, author of more than 40 books about clean energy, sustainability, greenhouses, and more. This course is based upon Dan's book entitled "Basic Solar Energy". We hope that you enjoy taking this course and look forward to your feedback. | ||
| Unit 1 | Getting Started - Course Materials | |
| Unit 2 | Meet Your Instructor | |
| Module 2 | Common Questions | |
Common questions | ||
| Unit 1 | Common Questions | |
| Unit 2 | Common Questions Quiz | |
| Module 3 | Introduction to Solar Energy | |
Introduction to Solar Energy | ||
| Unit 1 | Introduction to Solar Electricity | |
| Unit 2 | Introduction to Solar Electricity Quiz | |
| Module 4 | Renewable Energy Options | |
Renewable Energy Options | ||
| Unit 1 | Introduction to Renewable Energy Options | |
| Unit 2 | Solar Technologies Quiz | |
| Unit 3 | Introduction to Renewable Energy Options: Passive Solar Heating & Cooling | |
| Unit 4 | Renewable Energy Options Passive Solar Quiz | |
| Unit 5 | Introduction to Renewable Energy Options: Wind and Water | |
| Unit 6 | Introduction to Renewable Energy Options: Wind and Water Quiz | |
| Module 5 | Connecting to the Grid or Not | |
Grid Related | ||
| Unit 1 | Primer on Grid-tied Solar Electric Systems | |
| Unit 2 | Primer on Grid-tied Solar Electric Systems Quiz | |
| Unit 3 | Primer on Grid-tied Solar Electric Systems with Battery Backup | |
| Unit 4 | Primer on Grid-tied Solar Electric Systems with Battery Backup Quiz | |
| Unit 5 | Primer on Off Grid Solar Electric Systems | |
| Unit 6 | Primer on Off-Grid Solar Electric Systems Quiz | |
| Module 6 | Common Misconceptions About Solar Electric Systems | |
Common Misconceptions About Solar Electric Systems | ||
| Unit 1 | Common Misconceptions About Solar | |
| Unit 2 | Common Misconceptions Regarding Solar Quiz | |
| Module 7 | Which System Makes the Most Sense | |
Which System Makes the Most Sense | ||
| Unit 1 | Which System Makes the Most Sense? | |
| Unit 2 | Quiz - Which System Makes the Most Sense? | |
| Module 8 | Mounting Options | |
| Mounting Options | ||
| Unit 1 | Mounting Options - Roof | |
| Unit 2 | Mounting Options - Ground | |
| Unit 3 | Mounting Options Quiz | |
| Module 9 | Sun Path and Solar Window | |
Sun Path and Solar Window | ||
| Unit 1 | Understanding the Path of the Sun | |
| Unit 2 | Understanding the Path of the Sun Quiz | |
| Unit 3 | How much Solar is available at your Site? | |
| Unit 4 | How much Solar is Available Quiz | |
| Unit 5 | How to Assess a Site | |
| Unit 6 | How to Assess a Site Quiz | |
| Module 10 | How to Size a Solar Electric System | |
How to Size a Solar Electric System | ||
| Unit 1 | Sizing a Solar Electric System Part 1 | |
| Unit 2 | Sizing a Solar Electric System Part 2 | |
| Unit 3 | Sizing a Solar System Quiz | |
| Module 11 | Net Metering | |
Net Metering | ||
| Unit 1 | Monthly Net Metering | |
| Unit 2 | Monthly Net Metering Quiz | |
| Unit 3 | Annual Net Metering | |
| Unit 4 | Annual Net Metering Quiz | |
| Unit 5 | More on Net Metering | |
| Unit 6 | More on Net Metering Quiz | |
| Module 12 | Does Solar Electricity Make Sense | |
Does Solar Electricity Make Sense | ||
| Unit 1 | Comparing the Cost of Electricity | |
| Unit 2 | Return on Investment | |
| Unit 3 | Does Solar Electricity Make Sense Quiz | |
| Module 13 | Next Steps | |
Next Steps | ||
| Unit 1 | Next Steps | |
| Unit 2 | Next Steps Quiz | |
| Module 14 | Insuring a Solar Electric System | |
Insuring a Solar Electric System | ||
| Unit 1 | Insuring a Solar Electric System | |
| Unit 2 | Insuring a Solar Electric System Quiz | |
| Module 15 | Final Exam | |
In order to complete this course and receive a "Certificate of Completion" you will need to take this exam. Your certificate will be ready to download as a PDF upon completion of this exam. | ||
| Unit 1 | Final Exam Solar Energy Basics Course | |
