Table Of ContentSolar Photovoltaic Basics: A Study
Guide for the NABCEP Entry Level
Exam
This book explains the science of photovoltaics (PV) in a way that most people can
understand using the curriculum which refects the core modules of the NABCEP
Entry Level Exam. Whether or not you are taking the NABCEP Entry Level Exam, learn-
ing the material covered in this book is the best investment you can make towards
your place in the solar industry.
Providing complete coverage of the NABCEP syllabus in easily accessible chapters,
the book addresses all of the core objectives that will aid in passing the PV Entry Level
Exam, including the ten main skill sets:
• PV Markets and Applications
• Safety Basics
• Electricity Basics
• Solar Energy Fundamentals
• PV Module Fundamentals
• System Components
• PV System Sizing Principles
• PV System Electrical Design
• PV System Mechanical Design
• Performance Analysis, Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
You will learn how to survey a site, how to use the tools that determine shading and
annual production, and the importance of safety on site. The text includes technical
math and equations that are suitable and understandable to those without engineer-
ing degrees, and are necessary in understanding the principles of solar PV.
This study guide is written by Sean White, an IREC-Certifed Solar PV Master Trainer,
Electrician, NABCEP-Certifed PV Installation Professional, Professor and Installer.
Sean has prepared thousands of students to take the NABCEP Solar PV Entry Level
Exam.
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Solar Photovoltaic Basics:
A Study Guide for the
NABCEP Entry Level Exam
Sean White
First published 2015
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2015 Sean White
The right of Sean White to be identifed as author of this work has been
asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identifcation and explanation without
intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
White, Sean (Electrical engineer)
Solar photovoltaic basics : a study guide for the NABCEP entry level exam / Sean White.
pages cm
1. Photovoltaic power systems--Examinations--Study guides. I. Title.
TK1087.W45 2015
621.31’244076--dc23
2014011466
ISBN: 978-0-415-71335-1 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-77011-6 (ebk)
Typeset in 11.5/11.5pt Rotis by
Servis Filmsetting Ltd, Stockport, Cheshire
Contents
Preface vi
Chapter 1 PV markets and applications 1
Chapter 2 Safety basics 11
Chapter 3 Electricity basics 21
Chapter 4 Solar energy fundamentals 39
Chapter 5 PV module fundamentals 59
Chapter 6 System components (defnitions) 77
Chapter 7 PV system sizing principles 83
Chapter 8 PV system electrical design 95
Chapter 9 PV system mechanical design 107
Chapter 10 P erformance analysis, maintenance and
troubleshooting 13
Special section: voltage temperature calculations 117
70 practice exam questions 123
v
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Preface
Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of making electricity from light with a semi-
conductor, usually silicon. Silicon is the same material from which a computer
chip is made.
The solar industry is growing at light speed and now is time to get involved, to
take part in reducing pollution and to take advantage of a great career oppor-
tunity.
By passing the NABCEP Entry Level Exam, you will have demonstrated that
you are solar PV smart and ready to work in the fastest growing industry in
the world.
This book is intended to help students learn the material on the exam in a rea-
sonable time, while not getting overloaded with too much information. We will
save the advanced material for another book, so you do not get overwhelmed.
Some of the more diffcult material, such as voltage temperature calculations,
will be covered multiple times in different ways throughout the book. This book
is intended to be read and retained. Reading this book will be the most effcient
time spent by busy people preparing to pass the NABCEP Entry Level Exam.
The NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam covers material, which is organized at www.
nabcep.org into ten learning objectives:
1. PV Markets and Applications
2. Safety Basics
3. Electricity Basics
4. Solar Energy Fundamentals
5. PV Module Fundamentals
6. System Components
vii
Preface
7. PV System Sizing Principles
8. PV System Electrical Design
9. PV System Mechanical Design
10. Performance Analysis, Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
The chapters in this book will match the ten learning objectives.
There will be a special section at the end of the book focusing on voltage and
temperature calculations, practice exam questions and defnitions.
viii
Chapter
PV markets and
1
applications
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PV
TECHNOLOGY
1839: Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect.
1905: Einstein described the photoelectric effect and how light (photons) can
excite electrons.
1922: Einstein received Nobel Prize for describing photoelectric effect.
1954: Bell Labs developed the “Bell Solar Battery”.
The “Bell Solar Battery” is what is technically called a solar module
today.
Often people incorrectly call a solar module a solar panel.
1958: First solar powered satellite sent into space by US Navy. The Vanguard 1
is currently the oldest man made object in space.
1999: World total installed PV capacity 1 GW
1 Gigawatt = 1000 MW (megawatts)
1 MW = 1000 kW (kilowatts)
1 kW = 1000 W (watts)
2012: World total installed PV capacity 100 GW, 31 GW of which was installed
in 2012.
