International Off Grid Courses

Learn how to design off-grid systems connected as DC coupled, AC coupled, or hybrid systems with or without fuel generators. See the course description below to choose the best option for you.

All courses are fully online and self-paced with the option of completing system design projects.

Online Self-Paced Course

These courses include booklets, videos, online exercise quizzes, and online assessment quizzes. 

The course content and quizzes aim to train the individually to successfully design an off-grid system based on the completion of an energy assessment form. Upon completion of the quizzes the course attendee will be able to determine the: 

  • Size a PV array in Watts (or kW),
  • Required battery capacity,
  • Required inverter capacity in VA (W) or kVA(kW),
  • Fuel genset (if applicable),
  • Cable sizes, and
  • Ratings of switches and protection equipment

GSES Offers the following three Off-Grid courses:

1. Off-Grid DC Coupled Systems Course

Cost: AUD $200

Includes Course Resource E-book


The Off-Grid DC Coupled PV Systems course is aimed at those individuals who are only designing and installing small off grid systems for households or small businesses. The PV array in these systems interconnects with the battery via a solar controller. The loads could be DC or AC, supplied via an inverter.

A person who successfully completes this self-paced online course will have the skills and knowledge to design an Off-grid DC-coupled PV system. It provides knowledge on the installation requirements for an off-grid PV system in accordance with IEC standards and industry best practices.

This course is estimated to take 60 to 80 hours.

For more course information and to purchase the course click here


2. Off Grid PV/ Genset Hybrids Course

Includes AC Couple System

Option 1: For individuals who have compelted the DC Coupled Course. (Does not include resource e-book)

Cost: AUD $125

Option 2: For individuals who who have not undertaken the DC Coupled Course (Includes resource e-book)

Cost: AUD $240


This course is designed for individuals who have either completed the Off-Grid PV Systems DC Coupled course or has undertaken a similar course in the past and has been working in the field.

The Off-Grid PV Genset Hybrid Systems Course is aimed at those individuals who are designing and installing larger off-grid systems for large houses, tourist accommodation, public facilities like schools and health clinics, or even village systems. Where the system is either an AC coupled configuration (PV connects via PV, grid-tie, inverter) or is a hybrid system comprising a PV array (DC and/or AC coupled) and a fuel generator

Option 1 of this course is estimated to take  40 to 60  hours.

Option 2 of this course is estimated to take  60 to 80 hours.

For more course information and to purchase the course click here


3. Off Grid PV Systems Course Package

Includes DC and AC coupled systems and PV/Genset Hybrid systems

Includes resource e-book

Cost: AUD $320


Combines the above two courses.

This course is designed for individuals who will be designing various sizes of off-grid systems from small households to commercial-scale systems. Where the system is either an AC coupled configuration (PV connects via PV, grid-tie, inverter) or is a hybrid system comprising a PV array (DC and/or AC coupled) and a fuel generator.

This course is estimated to take 100-140 hours.

For more course information and to purchase the course click here


Design Projects

For those individuals who want to have their skills for undertaking a complete design assessed by a tutor. Students can undertake the Design Projects after they have completed any of the different course options.

This is optional and hence offered separately.

These design task require the individual to:

  1. Complete an energy assessment form and determining the maximum daily energy usage, maximum and surge demands.
  2. Determine the system configuration
  3. Determine the required rating of the battery inverter
  4. Determine the capacity of the battery (battery bank)
  5. Determine the required rating of the PV array
    • Select the appropriate solar controller or PV inverter
  6. Determine the required rating of a fuel genset (if applicable)
  7. Select the location of the equipment based on a site plan.
  8. Determine all cable sizes and ratings and undertaken voltage drop calculations.
  9. Select the correct ratings for protection and isolation equipment.
  10. Prepare system wiring diagrams.
  11. List the documentation that is to be provided to the client.

GSES offers the following three Off-Grid System Design Projects:

1. Off Grid DC Coupled PV Systems

Design Project

Cost: AUD $330

Includes two design tasks where students must complete full DC-coupled PV system designs.

The first design task requires preparing a complete design as per the above list (points 1 through to 11) for an Off-Grid DC Coupled PV System using a Pulse Width Modulated Controller.

The second design task requires redesigning the array configuration if a MPPT controller is used and matching that array to the appropriate MPPT controller.

For more course information and to purchase the course click here


2. Off Grid PV/ Genset Hybrids

Design Task

Cost: AUD $330

Includes two design tasks where students must complete full AC coupled PV system designs.

The first design task requires preparing a complete design as per the above list (points 1 through to 11) for an Off-Grid AC Coupled PV System including having a backup generator. 

The second design task involves sizing the battery inverter, battery back and capacity of an AC coupled PV array for a village system where a diesel generator operates for a specified number of hours each evening. 

For more course information and to purchase the course click here


3. Off Grid PV Systems

Design Project

Cost: AUD $620

Includes completing the four design tasks listed above for both DC coupled and AC couples PV systems.

Discount is automatically applied when both Off Grid DC Coupled Design Project and Genset Hybrid Design Project are added to the cart.

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