NABCEP PV Design Specialist Course

US Solar Institute’s NABCEP PV Design Specialist Certification Course – NABCEP Certified PV Design specialist course is simply the best, most robust solar PV design course in the country. It is designed by certified designers and it covers all of the topics mentioned in the NABCEP PV Inspector Job Task Analysis (JTA). Click here to download the JTA.

US Solar Institute is already the leader in design education; being the only licensed vocational college in Florida. We are proficient in our teaching methodologies. The NABCEP PV Designer Program provides a pathway for experts at configuring the electrical design of a project to earn a NABCEP Professional Certification. In assessing the project site, PV Design Specialists will be able to design both the mechanical and electrical design components with confidence, accuracy, and safety.

Applicants need at least 12 Project Credits for designs of completed installations for which they designed and drew the plans within the last two (2) calendar years prior to Applicant’s application submission date to sit for the exam.

Students will learn proper PV design techniques used for safe and code-abiding solar PV designs, while developing the knowledge and skill set in the following topics:

PVDS Task 1: Review Customer Expectations

Equipment location
Aesthetic concerns
Electric loads assessment (e.g., new construction, multi-modal and stand-alone systems)
System functionality and performance requirements
Value engineering

PVDS Task 2: Review Project Criteria

Authorities having jurisdiction criteria (e.g., codes, standards, covenants, and regulations)
Electric service provider criteria (e.g., utilities, co-ops, third-party providers)
Construction plan sets and project specification documents

PVDS Task 3: Assess Project Site

Characteristics of appropriate array locations
Characteristics of viable roof surfaces
Live and dead load characteristics of PV arrays
Common roof structural design
Drilling and trenching equipment capabilities
Characteristics of appropriate equipment locations
Types of electrical services
Point of interconnection
Raceway installation parameters
Effect of obstructions
Construction site hazards
Characteristics of appropriate staging/lifting/access locations
Shading analysis tools and techniques
Azimuth measurement tools
Magnetic declination
Slope tools and techniques
Building use and dimensions
Effects of wind exposure
Required site information documentation

PVDS Task 4: Configure Mechanical Design

PV system performance simulation software
Basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry calculations (e.g., area, slope, inter-row shading, withdrawal loads)
Characteristics of racking systems
Fastener selection criteria (e.g., types, sizes)
Structure attachment criteria (e.g., spacing, quantity, type)
Waterproofing and flashing methods and materials
Existing and allowable loads (e.g., snow load, seismic)
Design principles of ground mount foundations
Effect of PV module tilt and orientation
Characteristics of PV module technologies
Methods for equipment racking and/or installation
Criteria for placement of energy storage systems
Pathways and setbacks (e.g., walkways, clearances, accessibility)

PVDS Task 5: Configure Electrical Design

Inverter selection criteria (e.g., types of inverters, DC to AC ratio)
String size calculations and layout
DC circuit sizing formulas (e.g., PV source and output circuits, battery cables)
AC circuit sizing formulas (e.g., inverter output circuit, feeders)
Module level power electronics (MLPE)
Voltage drop calculations
Methods of interconnection (e.g., supply-side connection, load-side connection)
Conductor properties and types
Raceway selection criteria and calculations
Raceway installation methods
Source circuit combining methods (e.g., combiner boxes, wire harnesses)
Overcurrent protection selection criteria
Electrical enclosure selection criteria
Panelboard selection criteria
Disconnect selection criteria
Grounding system criteria and components
Rapid shutdown equipment and methods
Arc-fault protection equipment and methods
Characteristics of battery technologies
Characteristics of charge controllers
Characteristics and components of AC coupled systems
Energy storage system sizing and performance calculations
Power requirements of auxiliary systems (including backup power)

What sets US Solar Institute apart from the rest?

What truly sets US Solar Institute’s classes apart from the others is the amount of knowledge and techniques students are exposed to. By the end of the course, the students have been thoroughly explained all of the job task analysis topics.

The classes are fun, interactive, and informative to arm you with the tools to sell real solar systems. US Solar Institute’s training is one of a kind and will prepare you to work in the solar industry.

US Solar Institute is the first choice for many Fortune 500 corporations, electrical contracting, electricians, solar contractors and state of the art solar manufacturing corporations for all of their solar education and solar training needs. Those who want proven professional fast track educational results contract the US Solar Institute to train their students, employees, maintenance personnel, installers, manufacturing specialists, engineers, sales and service professionals because US Solar Institute knows what it takes to succeed in the solar industry.

Upcoming Courses

Note: This is an 24 hour course that runs from Friday to Sunday, from 8 am to 5 pm. It is intended to be the most comprehensive, informative solar PV Designer course in the country. This class exceeds any existing course or national standard for technical sales course. It will also educational requirements NABCEP has set forth for this certification. All lab materials and safety gear are included in the cost of the course.