KERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT – CERRO COSO COLLEGE

RET C121 COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD

  1. DISCIPLINE AND COURSE NUMBER:
    RET C121
  2. COURSE TITLE:
    Basics of Solar Photovoltaic Technology and Applications
  3. SHORT BANWEB TITLE:
    Basic Solar Photovoltaic
  4. COURSE AUTHOR:
    Buxamusa, Adnan
  5. COURSE SEATS:
    -
  6. COURSE TERMS:
    70 = Fall; 30 = Spring; 50 = Summer
  7. CROSS-LISTED COURSES:
  8. PROPOSAL TYPE:
    CC New Course
  9. START TERM:
    70 = Fall, 2012
  10. C-ID:
    N
  11. CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:
    This course provides the learner with the fundamentals to determine the best solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions primarily for residential and commercial installations. It covers estimating energy production, array orientation and tracking, equipment selection, and related siting and construction issues. This course is suitable for gaining knowledge leading to a supervised, entry-level position with a dealer/installer for photovoltaic systems.

  12. GRADING METHOD

    Default:
    S = Standard Letter Grade
    Optional:
    A = Audit;P = Pass/No Pass
  13. TOTAL UNITS:
    3

  14. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS / UNITS & HOURS:

    Method
    Min Units
    Min Hours
    Lecture
    2
    36
    Lab
    1
    54
    Activity
    0
    0
    Open Entry/Open Exit
    0
    0
    Volunteer Work Experience
    0
    0
    Paid Work Experience
    0
    0
    Non Standard
    0
    0
    Non-Standard Hours Justification:

  15. REPEATABILITY

    Type:
    Non-Repeatable Credit
  16. MATERIALS FEE:
    No
  17. CREDIT BY EXAM:
    No
  18. CORE MISSION APPLICABILITY:
    Associate Degree Applicable (AA/AS);Certificate of Achievement (COA);Career Technical Education (CTE)
  19. STAND-ALONE:
    No

  20. PROGRAM APPLICABILITY

    Required:
    Renewable Energy Technology (AS Degree Program)
    Renewable Energy Technology - Entry Level Wind Energy Technician (Certificate of Achievement)
    Elective:

  21. GENERAL EDUCATION APPLICABILITY

    Local:
    IGETC:
    CSU:
    UC Transfer Course:
    CSU Transfer Course:

  22. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to

    1. Compute the altitude for mounting a solar panel array based on geographic latitude.
    2. Design and generate a basic photovoltaic (PV) system schematic with components and wiring diagram sized according to expected power output.
    3. Prepare data sheet with pertinent cost-to-benefit PV scenario for a "customer" with at least two system options.
    4. Wire and assemble a working ground-mount PV system as cumulative outcome of the lab classes and as final graded project.
    5. Apply Ohm's Law to determine run resistance for a photovoltaic (PV) system to major circuit components.

  23. REQUISITES

    Advisory:

    RET C100
    and
    INSF C070

  24. DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE:

    Lecture:

    A.  Overall Project Planning for a solar Photovoltaic (PV) system installation
            1. Determination of client needs [annual energy usage, cost, lifestyle, etc.]
            2. Survey of the site [latitude, clear view of southern sky with no shady areas, etc.]
            3. Energy savings from efficiency implementation
            4. Cost analysis [type of photovoltaic panels and cost, tax and net-metering benefits, etc.]
            5. Zoning and permitting issues
            6. Proposing a photovoltaic system solution to client

    B.  Solar insolation
            1. Sun path
            2. Correction for magnetic declination
            3. Solar Pathfinder
            4. Local meteorological data on annual sunshine
            5. Shading analysis

    C.  System cost to benefit analysis
            1. Size of installation [number of photovoltaic panels]
            2. Fixed array or tracking system
            3. Ground or roof mount
            4. Stand-alone or grid-tie
            5. Battery back-up or not
            6. Summarize results as proposal to customer [include utility, local, state federal credits and tax subisidies available]

    D.  Physics and chemistry basics
            1. Photovoltaic technology and operational specifications
            2. Ohm's law, power, conductor sizing
            3. Safety [personal through personal protective equipment (PPE) and Hydrogen venting for battery storage]
            4. Power losses and cable runs
            5. Battery selection [deep cycle]

    E.  Commercial mount systems
             1. Fixed rack
             2. Solar tracking
             3. Typical site selection and assembly procedures

    F.  Residential and commercial solar photovoltaic installations
             1. Typical residential installations
             2. Typical commercial installations
             3. Client survey to determine system needs
     

     

     

    Lab:

    A.      Safety
                1. Safe usage of appropriate tools, test equipment and personal protective equipment
                2. Safe operating procedures (following all appropriate safety procedures)

    B.      Site Survey & Installation
                1. Sunpath determination and shading
                2. Equipment selection for selected site
                3. Installation and assembly
                4. System verification and inspection

  25. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION--Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

    1. Audiovisual;
    2. Demonstration;
    3. Discussion;
    4. Field trip;
    5. Group Work;
    6. Guest Lecturers;
    7. Instruction through examination or quizzing;
    8. Laboratory;
    9. Lecture;
    10. Library;
    11. Outside reading;
    12. Peer analysis, critique & feedback;
    13. Peer-to-peer instruction;
    14. Problem Solving;
    15. Project-based learning;

  26. OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: Out of class assignments may include but are not limited to

    • Study personal lecture notes taken during classroom lecture. • Study classroom handouts and material covered from the recommended textbooks. • Conduct individual research [Example: Use library, internet, etc.] • Locate solar noon for target geographical place on a particular calendar date. • Familiarize with usage of Solar Pathfinder instrument to determine optimum solar array placement at proposed customer site. • Class project. [Example: Apply classroom instruction and applicable individual research to select and propose a viable solar photovoltaic system to a potential customer.]

  27. METHODS OF EVALUATION: Assessment of student performance may include but is not limited to

    • Class discussion (Be active listener and participant in discussing lecture topics as needed for best learning comprehension.)
    • Quizzes on topics covered in class &/or assigned study topics.
    • Short reports on assigned topics or class project (Up to a single page report and oral presentation in class)—for example: "Describe how you would use a Solar Pathfinder to determine percentage of site shading," or "What considerations are important in siting a solar array for a residential or commercial customer," or "What are the major cost factors and the overall project cost estimate for installing a solar array that you might propose to a residential customer."

  28. TEXTS, READINGS, AND MATERIALS: Instructional materials may include but are not limited to

    Textbooks
    Kemp, W. H.. (2009) The Renewable Energy Handbook, 2, Aztext Press
    Dunlop, J. P.. (2010) Photovoltaic Systems, 2nd Ed., American Technical Publishers
    Manuals
    Periodicals
    Software
    Other
  29. METHOD OF DELIVERY:
    Online with some required face-to-face meetings (“Hybrid”);iTV – Interactive video = Face to face course with significant required activities in a distance modality ;Online course with on ground testing;Face to face;
  30. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
    Engineering (Masters Required);Engineering Technology (Masters Required);Industrial Technology;Technology (Masters Required);

  31. APPROVALS:

    Origination Date
    10/01/2011
    Last Outline Revision
    02/24/2012
    Curriculum Committee Approval
    02/24/2012
    Board of Trustees
    05/03/2012
    State Approval
    UC Approval
    UC Approval Status
    CSU Approval
    70 = Fall 2012
    CSU Approval Status
    Approved
    IGETC Approval
    IGETC Approval Status
    CSU GE Approval
    CSU GE Approval Status