Solar Thermal Boot Camp - 5-Days
Learn the fundamentals of design & installation of solar water heating systems in the nation's most comprehensive solar thermal Boot Camp. Our blended learning approach incorporates Instructor-led lectures and hands-on labs (about a 60/40 class time ratio) including the use of site-assessment tools for solar systems design.
Who?
This course is optimized for Plumbing, Swimming Pool, HVAC & General Contractors looking to add solar-thermal systems to their existing service offerings. Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Contractors, Architects and Engineers with piping / plumbing experience are also welcome. All students should have good mechanical aptitude.
Course Includes
Your tuition fee includes instruction, materials, text book, examination fee, labs and daily catered lunch on all 5 days. All students receive a course completion certificate on the last day. Students who pass the certification exam on the last day are also awarded the Certified Solar Thermal Professional certification.
Prerequisites
This course is optimized for Plumbing, Swimming Pool, HVAC & General Contractors. Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Contractors, Architects and Engineers with piping / plumbing experience are also welcome. All students should have good mechanical aptitude.
Testimonials
If I was asked to rate my experience, training, & education quality on a scale from one to ten, ten being the best, I would give it a 20. Without a doubt this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. In six days I feel I have gone from a solar dummy to a solar pro. Really, the quality of education at all levels has been exemplary. If a student is thinking about a course in solar then this is the Stanford of Solar. Real hands on experience coupled with great instructors is a win
-win for all. Thank you. Jay A.
Syllabus
DAY 1
- Solar Insolation
- Collector Orientation
- Solar Pathfinder description & operation
- Lab - use of Solar Pathfinder
- Solmetric SunEye description & operation
- Lab - use of SunEye
- Heat flow properties
- Flat plate collector design
- Low, medium, and high temperature collectors
- Single and dual tank systems
- Types and comparison of solar water heating systems (i.e. active systems, passive systems, open loop direct, closed loop indirect, PV controlled systems, Glycol closed loop, Steamback systems, Drainback systems)
- System components
- Introduction to solar thermal application (water heating, pool heating, space heating)
DAY 2
- Collector Mounting - lag mount, spanner mount, j-bolt mount
- Lab - flush mounting collector
- Lab - rail mounting collector
- Open loop components
- Closed loop glycol and Steamback components
- Closed loop Drainback components
- Differential control & sensors
- Lab - wire and program differential control
DAY 3
- Sealing pipe penetrations
- Lab - install Closed loop system
- Flush mount install on asphalt shingle roof
- Rail mount install on asphalt shingle roof
- Setting mounts on a tile roof
- Solar heated swimming pool equipment & system layout
- Lab - install Open loop system
- Charging Closed Loop systems
DAY 4
- Lab - install Drainback system
- Lab - install solar pool heating system
- Service open loop systems
- Service closed loop glycol systems
- Service Drainback systems
DAY 5
- BTU
- Solar Rating and Certification Corporation SRCC
- Using SRCC reports as a design tool
- Collector Efficiency curve
- Using efficiency curve as a design tool
- Determine gallon capacity using BTU formula
- Balancing multiple tank installation
- Balancing single bank collector array
- Balancing multiple bank array
- Pump selection, sizing, and configuring
- Determining system fluid capacity
- Attaching collectors to commercial buildings
- Solar space heating sizing & design (forced air, radiant floor, ground water source heat pumps)
- Solar Pool heating - sizing and design
- Solar system flow rates vs. pool filtration
CEU Credits
This course qualifies for up to 30 NABCEP education credits.
