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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 installationDesigning 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!
List of contents
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What You're Not to Read 3
Foolish Assumptions 3
How This Book Is Organized 3
Part 1: Here Comes the Sun: Shedding Some Light on PV Systems 4
Part 2: Digging into Complete System Details 4
Part 3: Sizing a PV System 4
Part 4: Installing a PV System 4
Part 5: The Part of Tens 5
Icons Used in This Book 5
Where to Go from Here 5
Part 1: Here Comes the Sun: Shedding Some Light on PV Systems 7
Chapter 1: The Photovoltaic Revolution 9
Peeking into the Past, Present, and Future of PV Installations 9
Acquainting yourself with typical PV applications 10
Checking out PV pros and cons 10
Looking into the future of PV 11
Introducing PV Components and Systems 11
Knowing Your Electricity A-B-Cs 12
Solar Resource 101 13
Surveying a PV System Site 13
Delving into PV System Details 14
PV modules 14
Batteries 14
Charge controllers 15
Inverters 15
Wiring and safety devices 15
Sizing a PV System 16
Grid-direct systems 16
Battery-based systems 16
Conductors and safety devices 17
Bringing a PV System to Life 17
Permitting 17
Staying safe 17
Putting together the mechanical parts 18
Adding the electrical parts 18
Commissioning, inspecting, and maintaining a system 19
Introducing the Sections of Code You Need to Know 20
Chapter 2: Checking Out Common Components and Systems 21
Introducing the Components That Make Up PV Systems 21
PV modules and racking 22
Battery bank 23
Charge controller 24
Inverter 24
Loads 25
Load centers 26
Disconnects and overcurrent protection 27
Utility interconnection 27
Differentiating between PV System Types 29
Grid-direct systems 29
Battery-based systems 31
Figuring Out the Right System Type for Any Situation 34
The customer is connected to the grid 34
The customer isn't connected to the grid 35
Chapter 3: Powering through Electricity Basics 37
Going with the Flow: Current 38
Understanding amps 38
Distinguishing between direct current and alternating current 39
Measuring current with a meter 40
May the (Electromotive) Force Be with You: Voltage 43
Grasping the concept of voltage 43
Getting a grip on nominal voltage and operating voltage 43
Measuring voltage 44
Making a Stop: Resistance 46
Introducing ohms 47
Measuring resistance 47
Connecting Current, Voltage, and Resistance with Ohm's Law 49
Pondering Power and Energy 50
Recognizing the differences between power and energy 50
Relating power to current, voltage, and resistance with the power equation 51
Calculating energy in terms of watt-hours 53
Introducing amp-hours, a companion to watt-hours 53
Wrapping Together Current, Voltage, Resistance, Power, and Energy 54
Another Electricity Concept: Circuit Configurations 55
Series 56
Parallel 57
Series-parallel 58
Chapter 4: Warming Up to the Solar Resource 59
High (Or Low) Energy: Solar Radiation 60
Distinguishing between direct radiation and diffuse radiation 60
Determining the intensity of solar radiation: Irradiance
