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Book Description

Photovoltaic Design and Installation For Dummies (9781119544357) was previously published as Photovoltaic Design and Installation For Dummies (9780470598931). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.

 

The fun and easy way to get a grip on photovoltaic design and installation

Designing and installing solar panel systems is a trend that continues to grow. With 'green collar' jobs on the rise and homeowners looking for earth-friendly ways to stretch their dollars and lesson their carbon imprint, understanding photovoltaic design and installation is on the rise.

Photovoltaic Design & Installation For Dummies gives you a comprehensive overview of the history, physics, design, installation, and operation of home-scale solar-panel systems. You'll also get an introduction to the foundational mathematic and electrical concepts you need to understand and work with photovoltaic systems. 

  • Covers all aspects of home-scale solar-power systems
  • Viable resource for professionals, students, and technical laymen
  • Can be used to study for the NABCEP exam

Whether you're a building professional looking to expand your business and skills to meet the growing demand for solar power installation or are seeking a career in this rapidly expanding field, Photovoltaic Design & Installation For Dummies has you covered!

Table of Contents

  1. Cover
  2. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Conventions Used in This Book
    3. What You’re Not to Read
    4. Foolish Assumptions
    5. How This Book Is Organized
    6. Icons Used in This Book
    7. Where to Go from Here
  3. Part 1: Here Comes the Sun: Shedding Some Light on PV Systems
    1. Chapter 1: The Photovoltaic Revolution
      1. Peeking into the Past, Present, and Future of PV Installations
      2. Introducing PV Components and Systems
      3. Knowing Your Electricity A-B-Cs
      4. Solar Resource 101
      5. Surveying a PV System Site
      6. Delving into PV System Details
      7. Sizing a PV System
      8. Bringing a PV System to Life
      9. Introducing the Sections of Code You Need to Know
    2. Chapter 2: Checking Out Common Components and Systems
      1. Introducing the Components That Make Up PV Systems
      2. Differentiating between PV System Types
      3. Figuring Out the Right System Type for Any Situation
    3. Chapter 3: Powering through Electricity Basics
      1. Going with the Flow: Current
      2. May the (Electromotive) Force Be with You: Voltage
      3. Making a Stop: Resistance
      4. Connecting Current, Voltage, and Resistance with Ohm’s Law
      5. Pondering Power and Energy
      6. Wrapping Together Current, Voltage, Resistance, Power, and Energy
      7. Another Electricity Concept: Circuit Configurations
    4. Chapter 4: Warming Up to the Solar Resource
      1. High (Or Low) Energy: Solar Radiation
      2. Examining the Effects of the Sun’s Path on the Earth
      3. Positioning PV Modules to Make the Most of the Solar Resource
    5. Chapter 5: Properly Selecting a Site for a PV System
      1. Setting the Stage for a Site Survey
      2. Picture This: Documenting Your Entire Site Survey with Digital Photos
      3. Collecting Basic Information during a Site Survey
      4. Measuring Information in Degrees
      5. Exploring Shading-Analysis Tools
      6. Interpreting the Data and Bringing It All Together
  4. Part 2: Digging into Complete System Details
    1. Chapter 6: PV Modules: From Sand to Electricity
      1. Creating Solar Electricity: It All Starts with a Cell
      2. Reviewing Common Types of PV Modules
      3. Pointing Out Electrical Specifications on PV Modules
      4. Surveying Test Conditions for PV Modules
      5. Relating Current and Voltage in IV Curves
    2. Chapter 7: The Basics of Batteries
      1. The Fundamentals of Battery Anatomy and Operation
      2. Comparing Different Types of Batteries
      3. Comprehending Battery Capacity
      4. Specifying Batteries
    3. Chapter 8: Keeping Current and Voltage in Check: Charge Controllers
      1. The Essentials of Charge Controllers
      2. Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology
      3. Pulse-Width Modulation Technology
      4. Specifying a Charge Controller
    4. Chapter 9: Inverters: AC (From) DC
      1. Getting the Goods on Grid-Direct Inverters
      2. Investigating Battery-Based Inverters
      3. Specifying Any Inverter
    5. Chapter 10: Staying Secure: Wiring and Safety Components
      1. Defining the Circuits in a PV System
      2. Checking Out Types of Conductors
      3. Considering Kinds of Conduit
      4. Delving into Disconnects
      5. Perusing Overcurrent Protection Devices
      6. Focusing on Ground Fault Protection
      7. Looking at the Basics of Labels
  5. Part 3: Sizing a PV System
    1. Chapter 11: Sizing a Grid-Direct System
      1. First Things First: Evaluating the Budget and the Available Array Area
      2. Estimating the Site’s Annual Energy Production
      3. Sizing the Array to Meet Your Client’s Energy Consumption
      4. Getting Ready to Match an Inverter to an Array
      5. Matching Power Values for an Array and an Inverter
      6. Coming Up with the Right Voltage Values for Your Array and Inverter
      7. Bringing It All Together: Combining Your Power and Voltage Information
      8. One Last Check: The Inverter’s Maximum Current Input
    2. Chapter 12: Sizing a Battery-Based System
      1. Get Loaded: Looking at Loads in a Battery-Based System
      2. Sizing the Battery Bank
      3. Sizing the PV Array
      4. Sizing the Charge Controller
      5. Sizing the Inverter
      6. Incorporating a Generator
    3. Chapter 13: Sizing Conductors, Conduit, and Safety Components
      1. Conductor Sizing 101
      2. Sizing Conduit
      3. Sizing Overcurrent Protection Devices and Disconnects
  6. Part 4: Installing a PV System
    1. Chapter 14: The Permitting Process
      1. Obtaining Permits before You Install a PV System
      2. Not Just Pretty Pictures: Creating Drawing Sets
    2. Chapter 15: Staying Safe Anytime You Work on a PV System
      1. Getting a Grip on General Construction Site Safety
      2. Looking at Ladder Safety
      3. Raising the Issue of Rooftop Safety
      4. Examining Electrical Safety
      5. Charging Ahead with Battery Safety
    3. Chapter 16: Assembling the Mechanical Parts
      1. Surveying PV Array Mounting Methods
      2. Considering Loading When You Mount an Array on a Roof
      3. Properly Attaching an Array to a Roof
      4. Supporting Ground and Top-of-Pole Mounting
    4. Chapter 17: Integrating the Electrical Elements
      1. Location Is Everything: Knowing Where to Place Electrical Equipment
      2. Working on Wiring
      3. Bonding Yourself to Grounding
      4. Connecting to the Utility
    5. Chapter 18: Commissioning, Inspecting, and Maintaining a PV System
      1. Making a List and Checking It Twice: Preparing for Commissioning
      2. Start ’Er Up: The Commissioning Process
      3. Arming Yourself for Inspection Issues
      4. Surveying System Maintenance
  7. Part 5: The Part of Tens
    1. Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Avoid Common Code Mistakes
      1. Providing Proper Working Clearance
      2. Supplying the Right Structural Support
      3. Keeping Water out of Buildings with Flashing
      4. Ensuring All Conductors Have the Necessary Ratings
      5. Managing the Conductors on Modules
      6. Selecting the Correct Conduit
      7. Locating the Disconnects
      8. Grounding the Equipment
      9. Grounding the System
      10. Labeling the System Properly
    2. Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Maximize Energy Production for Your Clients
      1. Select the Right Site
      2. Orient the Array Correctly
      3. Configure the Array Properly
      4. Work within the Limits of the Utility Voltage
      5. Choose the Correct Inverter
      6. Size Conductors Appropriately
      7. Keep the Components Cool
      8. Advise Clients to Monitor Their System
      9. Clean the Array Periodically
      10. Inspect the Array Annually
  8. Index
  9. About the Author
  10. Connect with Dummies
  11. End User License Agreement
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