Off-Grid Solar & Generator Hybrid Systems

GSES recommends that before registering for the course you should have either:

1. Undertaken the Off-Grid DC Coupled Solar PV Systems Course

Or

2. Undertaken a previous solar course and also have the following skills:

• Some knowledge of safe work practices;
• Minimum Senior Secondary School maths (or in-country equivalent) skills for solving standard problems; and
• Minimum Senior Secondary School English (or in-country equivalent) and reading skills.

All course attendees should be able to read and understand English.

.

Designer of Off-Grid PV/Fuel Generator Hybrids Systems

1. 1. Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety
   2. Understanding Energy Concepts
   3. Undertaking Energy and Site Assessment
   4. Understanding System Components
   5. Understanding System Design
   6. Interpreting Technical Standards and Regulatory requirements
   7. Undertaking Economic Analysis
   8. Developing Documentation

Installer of Off-Grid PV/Fuel Generator Hybrids Systems

1. 1. Working Safely with Off-grid PV/Fuel Generator Hybrids systems
   2. Understanding Energy Concepts
   3. Understanding System Cabling and System Protection Devices
   4. Understanding installation requirements of the different components of the system
   5. What Testing and Commissioning should be undertaken.

The learning outcomes are based on the following training unit standards that are accredited under the Pacific Islands Education Qualifications and Assessments Programme

• The AC coupled PV Systems sections of:
  • Designer of Solar Based Off-Grid Power Systems – (d.c. and a.c. loads)
  • Installer of Solar Based Off-Grid Power Systems (d.c. and a.c. loads)
• Designer of Solar Based Off-Grid Power Systems – (PV/Fuel generator hybrids)
• Installer of Solar Based Off-Grid Power Systems – (PV/Fuel generator hybrids).

However, the course does not include a practical hands-on installation session, it is only the theory of installation that is covered, and no assessment is undertaken on the practical skills of the student in installing a system.

This course is delivered online at students’ own pace. GSES has a team of tutors who mark the online work and as necessary supply feedback or additional technical information to the students. GSES’s tutors are also available to be contacted by phone during business hours or email.

The course is expected to take between 40-80 hours to complete, although this will vary between students and also whether you have undertaken the Off-Grid DC Coupled PV Systems course. Online course access is valid for 12 months and will expire afterward. The E-book does not expire.

A computer with internet connection and a free Adobe Account is required to access the materials. Refer to the E-Book Tab for more information.

Some of the booklets within the course are optional. The material had been covered in the Off-Grid DC Coupled PV Systems Course. The material has been included here for review and to assist when designing a system. Where the material is marked optional there are no exercises or assessment quizzes because these were part of the Off-Grid DC Coupled PV Systems Course.

1. Workplace Health & Safety
2. Solar Resources and Solar Modules (Optional)
3. Fuel Generators
4. Energy Storage (Optional)
5. Power Conversion Equipment – Some of the material included here is from the Off-Grid DC Coupled PV Systems Course however most is new material relevant to AC coupled systems and Hybrid systems.
6. General Design Principles – Some of the material included is identical to that on the Off-Grid DC Coupled PV Systems course. It is included to make the section complete when planning the design of a system.
7. Energy Assessment (Optional)
   • Load Assessment
   • Load Management
8. Sizing Battery and Battery Inverter
   • Using a Load (Energy) Assessment Table for Determining Battery and Inverter Capacity
   • Selecting and Sizing the Battery Inverter
   • Sizing a Battery
9. PV Array Sizing
   • PV Array Sizing General
   • Sizing PV Array – AC Coupled System
   • AC Coupled Systems – Matching Array & PV Inverter
   • Sizing a PV Array DC Coupled – PWM Controller
   • Sizing a PV Array DC Coupled – MPPT Controller
10. Designing PV – Fuel Generator Hybrid Systems
    • Incorporating a Fuel Generator into the System
    • Sizing a PV – Fuel Generator Hybrid System
11. System Wiring and Protection
    • Cable Selection and Sizing (Optional)
    • Protection and Disconnection (Isolation)
    • Earthing
12. Installation and Commissioning
    • Installation and Commissioning – Off Grid AC Coupled PV Systems and PV/Genset Hybrid Systems
    • Installation Off Grid DC Coupled PV Systems (Optional)
    • Commissioning and Documentation Off Grid DC Coupled PV System (Optional)
13. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
14. System Modelling
15. Economics

Online Quizzes (Assessments)

At the end of each session there are a few optional exercises for students to practical before attempting a quiz.

At the end of each session there are compulsory assessments. Each student is allowed four attempts of completing the quiz. The student must obtain 100% in each of these quizzes to complete the course.

Certificate

 After successfully completing the online quizzes the student will be awarded a certificate from GSES that states:

Name of Person

Had successfully completed the course titled

IEC Off-Grid Solar Systems: AC Coupled Design & Installation

And has been deemed competent in:

Design of Off-Grid PV Systems(Including PV/Fuel Generator Hybrids)

Cancellation of online training courses will be subject to the following conditions:

• Cancellation of online training courses made within fourteen (14) days of the date of payment AND before the online course has been accessed: the student will receive a full refund of the online course payment.
• Cancellation more than fourteen (14) days after the date of payment OR after the online course has been accessed (whichever occurs first): the student will receive no refund.
• All course refunds are exclusive of the price of the supplied course publication as advertised at the time of enrolment. GSES reserves the right to refuse a refund of the publication on the basis that goods are damaged or have been used prior to return.