Hello!
I’m Kris Schmid, an instructor for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA).
I’ve had the pleasure of teaching at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) for over 16 years. With more than two decades in the solar industry—starting with my own solar installation company in 2002—I’ve seen the industry evolve. While I wouldn’t call myself an “old timer” just yet, I’ve certainly gathered a lot of experience along the way.
I’m located in a rural Northern Wisconsin area, and when I started, grid-tied systems were just beginning to take off, and there were no tax credits to support solar energy. For those reasons, off-grid, standalone systems became my focus, and it’s an area I’ve become very familiar with.
I teach the online course: Off-Grid PV Systems Load Analysis and Design (PV 420).
This course provides valuable skills for anyone involved in energy storage system design—whether standalone off-grid or grid-tied with battery backup.
The core of this course revolves around proper load analysis. Understanding which electrical loads must be served from an energy storage system is essential for sizing the system correctly. This is especially critical in off-grid systems, where the solar, wind, or other energy sources are your only electricity source. However, even for grid-connected systems, proper sizing of energy storage ensures that your backup system can handle your load when necessary, without being oversized and wasting money.
What You’ll Learn in PV 420
Understanding Off-Grid System Components
To start, we’ll dive into the essential components used in off-grid PV systems:
- Solar Panels: The heart of the system, converting sunlight into electricity.
- Batteries: The key to energy storage, whether you’re using lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries.
- Charge Controllers: These ensure batteries are charged appropriately, preventing overcharging and damage.
- Inverters: These convert DC power from solar panels into AC power for household use.
- Backup Generators: Often a necessary addition to ensure reliability, especially during extended cloudy periods.
In rural areas like mine, we can sometimes go weeks without significant sunlight, so incorporating a backup generator is critical in the design process.
Sizing and Designing an Off-Grid PV System
We’ll break down the process:
- Load Analysis: What are the electrical loads that need to be powered? How long do they need to run? This is particularly important for off-grid systems, where energy storage is your only power source.
- Days of Autonomy: This concept refers to the number of days your system can provide power without sunlight. We’ll discuss how to calculate this and ensure that your batteries are properly sized.
- Usable Storage: Not all batteries can be fully discharged without damage. We’ll discuss the concept of usable storage to ensure your system is optimized for longevity.
- Solar Array Sizing: Learn how to size the solar array based on location, available sunlight, and environmental factors like shading from trees or buildings.
Real-World Design Practice
We’ll get into the math and hands-on design exercises:
- You’ll work through design examples with me, calculating and sizing components for a realistic off-grid system.
- After completing two example exercises, you’ll have the opportunity to design your own system as part of the final assignment.
By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to design off-grid systems or systems with grid-backup storage, including:
- Sizing the solar array and battery banks.
- Determining how batteries and solar panels should be connected in series or parallel.
- Choosing the correct components like charge controllers and inverters.
Why this Training Matters:
Energy storage is a growing field, and PV 420 is essential for anyone involved in designing these systems. Whether you’re planning to design a residential off-grid system, a small commercial setup, or a grid-tied system with battery backup, understanding how to properly size and design these systems is crucial for success.
As more consumers and businesses seek sustainable energy solutions, the ability to design these systems with confidence will be a valuable skill. Completing PV 420 gives you the expertise needed to assess energy needs and design a reliable, cost-effective solution.
Certificate of Completion
Self-Paced Learning
Continuing Education
Prerequisites Required
Teaching this course has been incredibly rewarding. Over the years, I’ve received great feedback from students and have built many valuable connections in the industry. The course is important because it helps students understand the proper way to evaluate energy needs and design reliable systems. Whether you’re working on off-grid systems or energy storage for grid-connected systems, PV 420 will give you the skills you need to succeed.
I hope to see you in class!
Kris-