This course will allow participants to gain practical and theoretical knowledge about Grid-tied Photovoltaic Systems with a focus on Net Metering and current examples of the various approaches.

Participants in this course will upon completion of this course, be able to:

• Define & explain how Grid tied photovoltaic systems operate and the benefits of these systems
• Describe and Identify Accepted Equipment and Inappropriate Equipment
• Describe types of Interconnections
• Distinguish BTM from IFM Systems
• Recommend policies for creating Net Metering programs
• Explain the physical requirements for monitoring Net Metering systems
• Relate options for Clients participation in Net Metering programs
• Work within the changing RE Landscape
• Anticipate actions for working with Rising RE market penetration to the Utility grid
• Define and rank the goals for creating successful PV Net Metering programs
• Create the optimal policy and implementation for PV Net Metering programs

Any personnel desiring a good understanding of Grid-tied Photovoltaic Systems in a Net-metering Context:

• Government policy makers
• Utility Administrators and Engineers
• Energy Project developers and administrators
• Investors
• EPCs
• Project managers
• Designers
• Installers
• Educators
• Renewable Energy Industry Participants and Advocates

The VILT will be delivered online in 3 half-day sessions comprising 5 hours per day, with 1 x 15 minutes break per day, including time for lectures, discussion, quizzes and short classroom exercises.

Additionally, some self-study will be requested. Participants are invited but not obliged to bring a short presentation (10 mins max) on a practical problem they encountered in their work. This will then be explained and discussed during the VILT. A short test or quiz will be held at the end the course.

Our key expert is the CEO of Great Northern Solar, and is a NABCEP certified Photovoltaic Installation Professional. He has been an instructor with the Midwest Renewable Energy Institute since 1993 teaching advanced photovoltaic (PV) design and installation, and is an IREC Certified Master trainer (TM) in Photovoltaic Technologies. He was the primary curriculum developer for the MREI Photovoltaic courses at the institute’s inception.

A strong advocate for clean energy production, our key expert volunteers with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (board of directors member 2004-2014, Chair of the Nominations Committee – current), and with the Northern Futures Foundation.

Our key expert has been designing, specifying, installing and operating battery based solar electric
systems (PV) for over 30 years’. He has lived “off-grid” for over 26 years’, where he runs his business Great Norther Solar. He has been training contractors, administrators and officials in the operation of PV systems including those employing storage for over 26 years’. In the last 5 years, he has been investigating and developing training’s for the application of energy storage in commercial and other large applications.

With the development of lithium-ion and other advanced battery technologies, he has begun to consult and present training’s in battery design and deployment for the commercial market.
In 2016, our key expert developed a hands-on seminar for retro-fitting a LiOn storage and energy arbitrage system for a commercial building in Duluth Minnesota. The Hartley Solar Storage Retrofit Seminar walked participants through the design and implementation of the advanced storage system to provide for building resiliency and peak demand load shaving as well, and potential ancillary services for the Hartley Nature Center and Minnesota Power – the site utility.

Most recently, our key expert has presented “Energy Storage into Renewable Energy Systems” for the North Central Electrical League in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area of Minnesota.

To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized “One to One” coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster.
Request for further information about post training coaching support and fees applicable for this.