Solar Energy On-grid and Off-grid Design Training

In an era marked by pressing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable energy sources, solar energy emerges as a shining star. Harnessing the power of the sun, solar energy has rapidly gained momentum as a viable and essential solution to our energy needs. This article aims to highlight the importance of solar energy, shedding light on its numerous advantages and implications for a greener and more sustainable future. 

Solar energy is a renewable and inexhaustible source of power, derived from the radiation emitted by the sun. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and deplete over time, solar energy offers a virtually unlimited supply. Moreover, solar power generation produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants, leading to cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint. By adopting solar energy, we can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and pave the way towards a more sustainable future. 

As the demand for solar power systems continues to rise, the need for skilled professionals in solar energy design becomes paramount. By providing individuals with the necessary expertise and skills, we empower them to design and implement efficient, safe, and high-performing solar energy systems. Through training, we promote innovation, create job opportunities, and contribute to a sustainable future. 

This course is ideal for:

• Electrical engineers, technicians, and project managers are working in renewable energy.
• Sustainability consultants and green building professionals.
• Entrepreneurs planning to start a solar installation business.
• Government or utility sector employees working in energy policy and solar grid integration.
• Anyone aiming to build a career in renewable energy design and solar engineering.

At the end of this course, you will learn. 

• Solar Energy Advantages & Fundamentals 
• PV Technologies 
• Solar Inverters and Benefits from PV 
• Systems and components in a Solar Energy system 
• Manual Design of a solar PV system: Off-grid and On-grid 
• Software Design of a solar PV system, Off-grid and On-grid, using PVsyst 

Course Outline 

Read the course outline below to discover the comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance your knowledge and skills.

Introduction 

• Why solar energy? 
• Sun energy per year and world energy use 
• Types of production ways of electricity from solar energy 
• Heliostat tower function 

Solar Fundamentals 

• Distribution of solar radiation 
• Solar Irradiance Concepts: DNI, DHI, GHI & GTI 
• Measuring solar radiation, angle of radiation, and energy per sqm 
• Solar declination and height (altitude) angle 
• air mass and solar energy 
• Spectral sensitivity of different solar panels 
• Solar path, Sun azimuth angle 
• The most important geometrical factors that affect calculations of solar radiation 
• Local time and solar time, PSH (peak sun hour) 
• Methods of determining radiation intensity 

PV Technologies 

• Advantages and disadvantages of PV 
• Cell –module- array, Photovoltaic panel structure  
• The difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells 
• Solar grade glass, stc, and noct test conditions 
• Voltage-current curve (I-V) ofa  solar cell 
• What is the fill factor in PV modules  
• Solar cell equivalent circuit 
• Types of solar cells and their comparison 
• The basis of silicone cells and the method of electricity production 
• Arrangement of cells in a panel 
• Effective factors in the output power of the solar panel 
• PV junction box 
• Checking the curve of solar panels in case of series or parallel connection 
• The role of the bypass diode in solar panels 
• Blocking diode rule in PV plant 
• Photovoltaic system design standards 
• Parallel connection of connectors 
• PID & LID losses 
• Lifespan of solar panels 
• Auto tracker system (single axis and dual axis) 
• DEWA mandatory standards 
• IEC 61215, IEC 61730, IEC 61701, IEC 61345, IEC 62716, IEC 60068-2-68 standards 
• Safety qualification of PV modules 
• Design qualification and type approval of PV modules 
• Net-metering system 
• Concentrator Photovoltaic 

Detailed explanation of Off-grid and On-grid systems and components 

• Types of solar systems (Off-grid – On-grid - Hybrid) 
• Characteristics of off-grid solar systems and applications 
• Off-grid Solar system components and schematics 
• On-grid Solar system components and schematics 
• Hybrid Solar system components and schematics 
• Solar batteries and battery types  
• Flooded/wet batteries characteristics -advantages and disadvantages 
• AGM batteries characteristics -advantages and disadvantages 
• GEL batteries characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages 
• Maintenance-free battery, SLA batteries, VRLA battery 
• Battery connections in series and parallel, Battery safety tips 
• Types of solar inverters Off-grid solar inverters 
• Full description of MPPT 
• Central inverter, Module inverter, String inverter , Micro inverter , Optimizer 
• Charge Controller - the difference between PWM and MPPT charge controllers 

Protection devices and wiring, and connectors 

• Protective equipment 
• Surge arrester 
• AC and DC SPD 
• Suitable cable for solar systems 
• About DEWA 
• Installation Plan of PV 
• Typical on-site mounting process 
• Checklist testing and inspection with interconnection to the grid 

Formulas required for solar systems 

• Electrical basics and mathematical formulas 

Manual design of an Off-grid system 

• Off-grid solar system design 
• Schematic of an Off-grid solar system 
• Obtaining the total energy value of electrical appliances 
• Energy of panels should produce 
• Obtaining the total power of the panels and the number of panels 
• Obtaining PSH using the geographical location of the solar power plant installation 
• Determining the charge size of the solar controller 
• Battery selection 
• Inverter calculation 
• AC and DC cable size calculation 
• Fuse protection sizing 

Manual design of an On-grid system 

• Getting the number of panels 
• Calculation of the number of strings 
• Calculation of the number of panels in each row 
• Calculation of the required inverter 
• DC fuse calculation and selection 
• AC fuse calculation and selection 
• Select AC and DC cable sizes 

Off-grid solar system design with PVSYST 

• Define a New project , find a location on the  map , and import data from different sources 
• Explain each data that is from meteo source(solar  path ,PSH,GHI,HDI, Temperature ,wind speed) 
• Define the best plane tilt and azimuth based on yearly,  summer, winter, and transposition factor 
• Define user needs, hourly distribution  
• System summery 
• Define storage –PV array-charge controller based on PLOL and autonomy 
• Define new system components 
• Explanation Stand-alone report 
• Near shading 

On-grid solar system design with PVSYST 

• How to define a project name 
• Define a new project , find a location on the map , and Import meteo data from different sources 
• Explain each data that is from the meteo source 
• Define the best plane tilt and azimuth based on yearly, summer, winter, and transposition factor 
• PV array sizing 
• Inverter sizing 
• Module layout 
• Detail loses 
• Advanced simulation 
• Define new system components 
• Explanation ongrid  report 
• Near shading 
• Horizon shading 

Upon completing this course, you will be equipped with the technical skills and practical knowledge to design both On-grid and Off-grid solar PV systems manually and using industry-standard software like PVSyst. You will gain a deep understanding of solar fundamentals, PV technologies, component selection, system sizing, protection mechanisms, and compliance with international standards. Whether you're an engineer, technician, entrepreneur, or sustainability professional, this course empowers you to implement efficient, reliable, and future-ready solar energy solutions, contributing meaningfully to a cleaner and more sustainable world.