Photovoltaic design & installation for dummies
By: by Ryan Mayfield
Series: --For dummies; --For dummies
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Hoboken, NJ
Language: eng
Number of pages: 366
ISBN-13: 9780470598931
Subjects: Design; Installation; Photovoltaic power systems
Other titles: Photovoltaic design and installation for dummies
Description: From the Publisher:  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!
Notes: Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: About this book; title: Conventions used in this book; title: What you're not to read; title: Foolish assumptions; title: How this book is organized; title: Part 1:  Here comes the sun:  shedding some light on PV systems; title: Part 2:  Digging into complete systems details; title: Part 3:  Sizing a PV system; title: Part 4:  installing a PV system; title: Part 5:  Part of tens; title: Icons used in this book; title: Where to go from here; title: Part 1:  Here Comes The Sun:  Shedding Some Light On PV Systems; title: Chapter 1:  Photovoltaic revolution; title: Peeking into the past, present, and future of PV installations; title: Acquainting yourself with typical PV applications; title: Checking out PV pros and cons; title: Looking into the future of PV; title: Introducing PV components and systems; title: Knowing your electricity A-B-Cs; title: Solar resource 101; title: Surveying a PV system site; title: Delving into PV system details; title: PV modules; title: Batteries; title: Charge controllers; title: Inverters; title: Wiring and safety devices; title: Sizing a PV system; title: Grid-direct systems; title: Battery-based systems; title: Conductors and safety devices; title: Bringing a PV system to life; title: Permitting; title: Staying safe; title: Putting together the mechanical parts; title: Adding the electrical parts; title: Commissioning, inspecting, and maintaining a system; title: Introducing the sections of code you need to know; title: Chapter 2:  Checking Out Common Components And Systems; title: Introducing the components that make up PV systems; title: PV modules and racking; title: Battery bank; title: Charge controller; title: Inverter; title: Loads; title: Load centers; title: Disconnects and over current protection; title: Utility interconnection; title: Differentiating between PV system types; title: Grid-direct systems; title: Battery-based systems; title: Figuring out the right system type for any situation; title: Customer is connected to the grid; title: Customer isn't connected to the grid; title: Chapter 3:  Powering through electricity basics; title: Going with the flow:  current; title: Understanding amps; title: Distinguishing between direct current and alternating current; title: Measuring current with a meter; title: May the (electromotive) force be with you:  voltage; title: Grasping the concept of voltage; title: Getting a grip on nominal voltage and operating voltage; title: Measuring voltage; title: Making a stop:  resistance; title: Introducing ohms; title: Measuring resistance; title: Connecting current, voltage, and resistance with ohm's law; title: Pondering power and energy; title: Recognizing the differences between power and energy; title: Relating power to current, voltage, and resistance with the power equation; title: Calculating energy in terms of watt-hours; title: Introducing amp-hours, a companion to watt-hours; title: Wrapping together current, voltage, resistance, power and energy; title: Another electricity concept:  circuit configurations; title: Series; title: Parallel; title: Series-parallel; title: Chapter 4:  Warming up to the solar resource; title: High (or low) energy:  solar radiation; title: Distinguishing between direct radiation and diffuse radiation; title: Determining the intensity of solar radiation:  irradiance; title: Calculating solar radiation energy:  irradiation; title: Just for a day:  peak sun hours; title: Examining the effects of the sun's path on the earth; title: Getting a grip on seasonal effects; title: Understanding the sun's relationship to your location:  altitude and azimuth; title: Ticking off solar time; title: Interpreting sun charts; title: Opening up to the solar window; title: Positioning PV modules to make the most of the solar resource; title: Introducing tilt angle; title: Orienting your array to the azimuth; title: Chapter 5:  Properly selecting a site for PV system; title: Setting the stage for a site survey; title: Putting aside enough time; title: Creating a standard site-survey form; title: Toting a site-survey bag; title: Picture this:  documenting your entire site survey with digital photos; title: Collecting basic information during a site survey; title: General site information; title: Structural and mechanical information; title: Electrical information; title: Measuring information in degrees; title: Understanding magnetic declination; title: Calculating the array's tilt angle and azimuth; title: Exploring shading-analysis tools; title: Interpreting the data and bringing it all together; title: Analyzing reports from you shading-analysis tool; title: Considering the total solar resource factor; title: Using other collected information to plan out the design and installation; title: Part 2:  Digging Into Complete System Details; title: Chapter 6:  PV modules:  from sand to electricity; title: Creating solar electricity:  it all starts with a cell; title: Getting a grip on cell construction and manufacturing; title: Connecting cell construction to the photovoltaic effect; title: Reviewing common types of PV modules; title: Checking out crystalline modules; title: Looking at thin film modules; title: Pointing out electrical specifications on PV modules; title: Current specifications; title: Voltage specifications; title: Maximum power point; title: Voltage temperature coefficient; title: Power tolerance; title: Series fuse rating; title: Surveying test conditions for PV modules; title: Standard test conditions; title: Environmental effects on standard test conditions; title: Relating current and voltage in IV curves; title: IV curve with varying temperature; title: IV curve with varying irradiance; title: Chapter 7:  Basics of batteries; title: Fundamentals of battery anatomy and operation; title: Constructing a battery, from cell to bank; title: Discovering how batteries charge and discharge; title: Comparing different types of batteries; title: Lead-acid batteries; title: Lead-calcium batteries; title: Nickel-cadmium batteries; title: Comprehending battery capacity; title: Considering the C rate for capacity; title: Recognizing factors that affect capacity; title: Specifying batteries; title: Specifying the type of battery to use; title: Specifying the battery bank size; title: Chapter 8:  Keeping current and voltage in check:  charge controllers; title: Essentials of charge controllers; title: Seeing how a charge controller works in stages; title: Surveying special effects provided by some charge controllers; title: Maximum power point tracking technology; title: How MPPT works; title: Pros and cons of MPPT controllers; title: Pulse-width modulation technology; title: How PWM works; title: Pros and cons of PWM controllers; title: Specifying a charge controller; title: Chapter 9:  Inverters:  AC (from) DC; title: Getting the good on grid-direct inverters; title: Basic operation; title: Standard features; title: Power output sizes; title: Importance of transformers; title: Investigating battery-based inverters; title: Utility-interactive inverter operation; title: Stand-alone inverter operation; title: Standard features for all battery-based inverters; title: Sizes of battery-based inverters; title: Low-frequency transformer technology; title: Specifying any inverter; title: Grid-direct; title: Battery-based; title: Chapter 10:  Staying secure:  wiring and safety components; title: Defining the circuits in a PV system; title: Checking out types of conductors; title: USE-2; title: PV wire; title: Building wiring; title: Battery wiring; title: Ground wiring; title: Considering kinds of conduit; title: Metallic conduit; title: Nonmetallic conduit; title: Delving into disconnects; title: Perusing over current protection devices; title: Circuit breakers; title: Fuses; title: Focusing on ground fault protection; title: Looking at the basics of labels; title: Part 3:  Sizing A PV System; title: Chapter 11:  Sizing a grid-direct system; title: First things first:  evaluating the budget and the available array area; title: Estimating the site's annual energy production; title: Sizing the array to meet your client's energy consumption; title: Determining annual energy consumption; title: Looking at contract options with the utility; title: Using consumption and contract options to select an array's needed power value; title: Getting ready to match an inverter to an array; title: Matching power values for an array and an inverter; title: Coming up with the right voltage values for your array and inverter; title: Establishing the inverter's AC voltage; title: Defining the inverter's DC voltage window; title: Calculating the modules' maximum DC voltage contribution; title: Figuring out the modules' minimum DC voltage contribution; title: Bringing it all together:  combining your power and voltage information; title: One last check:  the inverter's maximum current input; title: Chapter 12:  Sizing a battery-based system; title: Get loaded:  looking at loads in a battery-based system; title: Evaluating the loads that the battery bank must serve; title: Calculating the energy required during an outage for utility-interactive systems; title: Determining the average daily energy consumption for stand-alone systems; title: Sizing the battery bank; title: Inverter efficiency; title: Days of autonomy; title: Temperature used for battery operation; title: Depth of discharge; title: Nominal voltages; title: Figuring out the battery capacity you need; title: Strung along:  wiring the battery bank; title: Sizing the PV array; title: Sizing the array in a utility-interactive system; title: Sizing the array in a stand-alone system; title: Sizing the charge controller; title: Voltage specifications; title: Power or amperage specifications; title: Check before you move on:  comparing the size to the battery capacity; title: Sizing the inverter; title: Viewing voltage output; title: Calculating the power draw; title: Staying in charge; title: Looking at surge ratings; title: Evaluating inverter and array power output; title: Incorporating a generator; title: Generator features; title: Generator sizing; title: Chapter 13:  Sizing conductors, conduit, and safety components; title: Conductor sizing 101; title: Defining the PV circuits' maximum and continuous current; title: Calculating non-PV circuits' maximum current; title: Considering conditions of use with some handy tables; title: Putting together the details to determine conductor sizing; title: Accounting for voltage drop after you size your conductors; title: Sizing conduit; title: Sizing over current protection devices and disconnects; title: Beginning with a few basics; title: Placing protection PV circuits; title: Protecting inverter circuits; title: Part 4:  Installing A PV System; title: Chapter 14:  Permitting process; title: Obtaining permits before you install a PV system; title: In the beginning:  having the right licenses and certifications; title: Home grown:  permitting for residential systems; title: Big business:  permitting for commercial systems; title: Not just pretty pictures:  creating drawing sets; title: Calling out components clearly; title: Depicting equipment locations; title: Showing conductor-sizing calculations; title: Jotting down job notes; title: Chapter 15:  Staying safe anytime you work on a PV system; title: Getting a grip on general construction site safety; title: Identifying job-site obstacles and putting on protective gear right away; title: Safely working alone and with others; title: Taking in tips for tool safety; title: Limiting your exposure to the elements; title: Stowing a first-aid kit on the job site; title: Looking at ladder safety; title: Selecting your stash of ladders; title: Properly setting up any ladder; title: Raising the issue of rooftop safety; title: Restraining yourself with fall protection; title: Storing you tools; title: Maintaining safe walkways; title: Examining electrical safety; title: Staying aware of general shock hazards; title: Working with circuits; title: Charging ahead with battery safety; title: Chapter 16:  Assembling the mechanical parts; title: Surveying PV array mounting methods; title: Roof mounting; title: Ground mounting; title: Top-of -pole mounting; title: Building -integrated mounting; title: Considering loading when you mount an array on a roof; title: Following building codes; title: Accounting for additional dead load; title: Looking at live loads; title: Properly attaching an array to a roof; title: Making attachments with lag screws; title: Sealing roof penetrations with flashing; title: Supporting ground and top-of-pole mounting; title: Chapter 17:  Integrating the electrical elements; title: Location is everything:  knowing where to place electrical equipment; title: Manufacturer's requirements for equipment locations; title: Locations for disconnecting means; title: Combiner boxes and junction boxes and wiring, oh my!; title: Working on wiring; title: Seeing red (and green and white):  color-coding; title: Managing wires on PV modules; title: Protecting wires with conduit; title: Bonding yourself to grounding; title: Equipment grounding; title: System grounding; title: Connecting to the utility; title: Determining the utility's requirements; title: Making a load side or line side connection; title: Chapter 18:  Commissioning, inspecting, and maintaining a PV system; title: Making a list and checking it twice:  preparing for commissioning; title: Mechanical elements?  Check!; title: Electrical elements?  Check!; title: Start 'er up:  the commissioning process; title: Putting safety first; title: Gathering the gear you need; title: Commissioning different types of systems; title: Verifying that the system is working; title: Arming yourself for inspection issues; title: Not having "a neat and workmanlike manner"; title: Forgetting about aesthetics; title: Failing to manage conductors on the array; title: Neglecting to label the system; title: Surveying system maintenance; title: Mechanical maintenance; title: Electrical maintenance; title: Maintenance on a higher level:  taking care of battery banks; title: Part 5:  Parts Of Tens; title: Chapter 19:  Ten ways to avoid common code mistakes; title: Providing proper working clearance; title: Supplying the right structural support; title: Keeping water out of buildings with flashing; title: Ensuring all conductors have the necessary ratings; title: Managing the conductors on modules; title: Selecting the correct conduit; title: Locating the disconnects; title: Grounding the equipment; title: Grounding the system; title: Labeling the system properly; title: Chapter 20:  Ten ways to maximize energy production for your clients; title: Select the right site; title: Orient the array correctly; title: Configure the array properly; title: Work within the limits of the utility voltage; title: Choose the correct inverter; title: Size conductors appropriately; title: Keep the components cool; title: Advise clients to monitor their system; title: Clean the array periodically; title: Inspect the array annually; title: Index.