Solar Photovoltaic Basics

This book explains the science of photovoltaics (PV) in a way that most people can understand, using the curriculum that reflects the core modules of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Associate Exam. Whether or not you are taking the NABCEP Associate Exam, learning the material covered in this book is the best investment you can make in ensuring your place and moving up in the solar industry.

Providing complete coverage of the NABCEP syllabus in easily accessible chapters, this book addresses all of the core objectives required to pass the 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 the importance of surveying a site, how to carry out a survey and how to use the tools that determine shading and annual production, as well as the necessity of safety on site. This guide also includes technical math and equations that are suitable and understandable to those without engineering degrees but are necessary in understanding the principles of solar PV.

This new edition of Sean White’s highly successful study guide has been updated throughout and reflects recent changes in the industry.