Introduction to Plug-In Solar

In Introduction to Plug-In Solar, you'll learn ...

• The principles, operation, and components of plug-in solar photovoltaic systems
• The technical, financial, safety, and regulatory considerations associated with residential plug-in solar installations
• The comparison of plug-in solar systems with conventional rooftop solar PV systems
• How to evaluate the practical application of plug-in solar for reducing electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 1 PDH

Length: 18 pages

Introduction to Plug-In Solar is a short, concise course that reviews the technical and regulatory background of plug-in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. These systems, also known as “balcony” solar or “grid-tie” solar, typically range from 400 W to 1,200 W in size, and allow renters and homeowners to benefit from renewable energy without a large upfront cost.

Plug-in solar is not technically more advanced than typical solar PV systems, but changes in solar PV system cost and availability, increased electrical utility pricing, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goals have allowed for plug-in solar systems to become more popular. Because they connect to residential electrical systems through a standard 120 V outlet, they have the potential for widespread adoption due to low cost and ease of installation.

This course will describe the history and background of plug-in solar systems, the technical aspects behind its operation, as well as a comparison with typical net-metered rooftop or ground-mount solar PV systems. It will also detail the financial and safety considerations before installing plug-in solar and the changing regulatory environment in the United States and worldwide. It will also review the GHG emission reduction potential of typical plug-in solar systems.

This course will primarily focus on plug-in solar systems and regulatory concerns in the United States but is also relevant in other locations as well. Because plug-in solar is a relatively new development in the renewable energy field, this course is valuable for design professionals to get up to speed on this exciting field in renewable energy.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

• The history, development, and growing adoption of plug-in solar technology
• The operation of solar panels, microinverters, and residential electrical connections in plug-in solar systems
• The differences between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) and their role in photovoltaic systems
• The methods used to size plug-in solar systems based on electrical demand rather than annual energy consumption
• The application of battery storage, wiring configurations, and plug-in solar kits for residential installations
• The comparison of plug-in solar and rooftop solar with respect to cost, permitting, incentives, portability, and performance
• The calculation of energy production, electricity savings, simple payback, and return on investment
• The electrical safety requirements, NEC provisions, UL standards, and installation practices applicable to plug-in solar systems
• The regulatory requirements governing plug-in solar installations in the United States and internationally
• How to evaluate greenhouse gas emission reductions and the environmental benefits of residential plug-in solar systems

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 10 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.