Solar PV Design Considerations for Commercial Buildings
A guide for Architects, Engineers and Construction Professionals
This course has been approved for 1.5 hours towards CMP by the USGBC!
Come hear one of Kansas City’s experts on Solar Design speak about the latest developments in solar options, economics and practical solutions for incorporation of solar energy into building applications. Bob Solger of Solar Design Studio and previous founder/owner of The Energy Savings Store has a broad background in many alternate energy solutions for today’s buildings. He is an insightful speaker with a thorough knowledge of current solar design and implementation techniques that may help answer questions you have about the current & future options available for solar applications.
Purpose: Participants will develop an understanding of how a roof design impacts the design and deployment of a Solar PV system.
Objectives: At the completion of this course participants will have developed an understanding of the following:
- Roof types and compatibility with Solar PV systems
- Solar structural and wind loading requirements
- Solar PV system design considerations, 2011 National Electric Code and the 2012 International Fire Code
- Solar PV design factors that impact the financial justification of systems
- Applications options of Solar PV systems for commercial buildings
Course scheduled varies. Offered as custom training, through local USGBC chapters and community colleges.
All Solar PV classes are delivered by NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installers.
Introduction to Selling Solar Solutions
Course length 16 Hours
This course is targeted at individuals desiring to enter the field of solar sales. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Develop an understanding of how to educate clients on Solar PV solutions.
- Develop the value proposition for a prospective client.
- Develop an understanding of how to present the financial benefits of investing in a Solar PV system.
Solar Site Evaluations
Course length 8 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar sales consultants and designers, who will be engaged in conducting solar site surveys. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Develop an understanding of how to perform an accurate and complete site survey for a Solar PV system.
- Review use of site survey tools such as a Solar Pathfinder and Solarmetric’s SunEye.
- Complete a site survey form.
- Review key points to discuss with a prospective client for the purposes of properly setting expectations such as installed cost, based on survey findings.
Solar PV System Specification
Course length 4 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar designers, who will be engaged in developing specifications for clients that will be placed out to bid. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Develop an understanding of how to write a specification for a Solar PV system with information acquired from a site survey.
- Review a site survey form.
- Develop an understanding of utilizing Solar PV system performance calculators such as PV Watts and Solar Advisor Modeler (SAM).
- Develop an understanding of different Solar PV system components to propose for the specific project’s requirements.
Solar PV System Estimating
Course length 4 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar designers, who will be engaged in estimating the cost associated with installing systems. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Develop an understanding of estimating the cost of installing a Solar PV system with information compiled in the system specification training module.
- Develop an understanding of different Solar PV system installation tasks for the purposes of estimating.
Solar PV Proposal Preparation
Course length 4 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar sales representatives and designers, who will be engaged in estimating the cost associated with installing systems. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Develop an understanding of preparing and presenting a business winning proposal.
- Develop an understanding of pricing a system.
- Develop an understanding of how to prepare a financial analysis for the proposed system.
- Review key points to include in a proposal document for a client.
Solar PV System Design
Course length 24 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar designers, who will be engaged in designing solar pv systems. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Develop an understanding of designing a system.
- Develop an understanding of how to prepare a drawing package for permitting and utility interconnection.
- Review key items to include in a permitting package.
- Review key items in include in a utility interconnection package.
Solar PV Permitting and Interconnection
Course length 4 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar designers, who will be engaged in preparing permitting and interconnection packages for Solar PV systems. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Review the steps and process of obtaining a permit for a system.
- Review the steps and process to obtain utility interconnection approval for the proposed system.
Solar PV Project Management
Course length 8 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar project managers, who will be engaged in managing solar installation projects. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Review the steps and process of planning and managing the installation of a Solar PV system.
- Develop an understanding of the resources required to install a Solar PV system effectively and within budget.
Solar PV Installation
Course length 24 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar installers, who will be engaged in in installing systems. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Complete the installation of an actual system.
Solar PV Commissioning
Course length 8 hours
This course is intended for individuals, such as solar designers, project managers and installers, who will be responsible for commission Solar PV systems. The following is a summary of the course objectives:
- Complete the commissioning of an actual system and prepare it for both local inspection and utility inspection.Develop an understanding of the system commissioning checklist.
- Develop an understanding of how to train the customer in understanding how the system works.Review warranty and service process with customer.
- Prepare for the inspection.
- Complete the utility interconnection paper work.
The cost and schedule for these classes varies. Send an e-mail to bob@solardesignstudio.com for more information.
