Solar Energy Basics
CEUs: 0.7 ICC | RESNET: 7 PDUs
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 |
| This first lesson of the Solar Energy Basics online, on-demand course covers common questions that homeowners have on whether a solar system makes sense as a good investment. These questions include how to determine if you have a good solar site, what size system would you need, how much would this system cost, and how to figure if your system makes economic sense. Future lessons include EMERGENCY POWER and GOING OFF-GRID. | |
| Unit 1 | Common Questions |
| Unit 2 | Common Questions Quiz |
| Module 3 | Introduction to Solar Energy |
| In this lesson we will study the components of a typical solar electric system, including solar panels aka modules, solar cells, solar arrays, how solar modules are wired, inverters, mounting options, how solar systems work, batteries, electric utility connections, and more. | |
| Unit 1 | Introduction to Solar Electricity |
| Unit 2 | Introduction to Solar Electricity Quiz |
| Module 4 | Renewable Energy Options |
| This unit will introduce you to the many types of renewable energy systems that are used to provide electricity and heat and cool homes and businesses. | |
| Unit 1 | Introduction to Renewable Energy Options |
| Unit 2 | Renewable Energy Options 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 |
| A person considering the installation of a solar electric system needs to decide if they want to connect to the electrical grid or not. There are many factors to consider regarding connecting to the grid, including whether to install batteries with the solar system or not. The following units describe the primary configurations for including batteries with the solar installation, which are: Grid-tied solar electric systems without batteries, grid-tied systems that include backup batteries for temporary emergency power or an off grid system containing enough batteries to power a home or small business for a reasonable period of time. | |
| 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 |
| There are many common misconceptions that get repeated enough that they appear to be true. This module delves into what some of this misinformation is about and explains the actual facts. | |
| Unit 1 | Common Misconceptions About Solar |
| Unit 2 | Common Misconceptions Regarding Solar Quiz |
| Module 7 | Which System Makes the Most Sense |
| This module covers how to determine which solar system and related components make the most sense, based upon economics and other factors. | |
| Unit 1 | Which System Makes the Most Sense? |
| Unit 2 | Quiz - Which System Makes the Most Sense? |
| Module 8 | Mounting Options |
| There are a variety of mounting options available to securely hold the solar system in place. This module showcases the pros and cons of different mounts. | |
| Unit 1 | Mounting Options - Roof |
| Unit 2 | Mounting Options - Ground |
| Unit 3 | Mounting Options Quiz |
| Module 9 | Sun Path and Solar Window |
| In order for a solar system to work properly all year there must not be objects that shade some or all of the solar array. The potential for shading that may occur on a solar array at any time of the year can be determined by the "Solar Window", which is the area in the sky that the sun will traverse in over the course of a year. | |
| 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 |
| It is important to know how large a solar system array or energy output will need to be to match the requirements of the building. A solar system that is too small will likely not produce the energy and monetary savings desired. Too large of a solar system can result in much of the generated energy from the solar system goes to waste or loses value. | |
| 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 |
| Connecting to the electric utility that provides power is mandatory for grid-tied solar electric systems. Most electric utilities have a net metering policy or program for their customers to use when connecting a solar energy system. The primary question is whether the electric utility is offering reasonable compensation for the energy they receive from their customers. | |
| 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 |
| The significant upfront cost for purchasing a solar energy system can make economic sense when compared with other investments. | |
| Unit 1 | Comparing the Cost of Electricity |
| Unit 2 | Return on Investment |
| Unit 3 | Does Solar Electricity Make Sense Quiz |
| Module 13 | Next Steps |
| What are the next steps required to make rational decisions regarding a solar system. | |
| Unit 1 | Next Steps |
| Unit 2 | Next Steps Quiz |
| Module 14 | Insuring a Solar Electric System |
| Insuring a solar electric system is not difficult when you have the details that insurance companies will require., | |
| 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 satisfactory completion of this exam. | |
| Unit 1 | Final Exam Solar Energy Basics Course |
