Award in Renewable Energy Systems & PV Installation – Single Phase

This course comply to the requirements of GN 404 of 2013 – ‘Scheme for the Registration of Training Courses Leading to the Certification of Renewable Energy Systems Installers and Providers of Energy Services’.

The course will provide an introduction to renewable energy systems exploring the most common methods employed in Malta (Thermal Solar, Photovoltaic Systems and Micro-Wind Turbines). It will cover the relevant legislation concerning renewable energy sources and will also focus particularly on Photovoltaic Systems. At the end of the unit candidates will have sufficient knowledge and practical experience to install PV systems.

This is a 60 hr guided learning course.  Students need to invest further hours which will include private study and home assignments.

Lessons are held as indicated on the prospectus and website.

Learning Outcome 1: Explain the principles of operation of three types of Renewable Energy Systems

Unit Content

• What is Energy?

1. 1. Types of energy
   2. Energy conversion and Efficiency

• Conventional Energy sources
• Renewable Energy Systems

1. 1. Introduction to different Renewable Sources of Energy
   2. Solar Thermal Systems

a.  Solar Energy

b.  Solar Radiation

c.  Sun Path Diagrams

d.  Tracking Systems

e.  Azimuth and tilt angles for optimal energy conversion

3.  Wind Energy Systems

a.  The role of wind as a renewable energy

b.  Electronics of wind-energy systems

c.  Grid-connected and Off-grid systems,

d.  Wind generators,

e.  Storage devices,

4.  Photovoltaic Systems

a.  Basic structure of solar cells

b.  Solar cell function,

c.  Limitations of solar cells,

d.  Solar cell Efficiency,

e.  PV arrays and other components

Learning Outcome 2: Interpret and comply with national and international legal requirements with regards to RES

Unit Content

• EU DIRECTIVE on Renewable Energies 2009/28/EC
• LN261/2008 Energy Efficiency in Buildings
• IEE requirements for PV installations
• REPAP 2020
• LN422/2010 Subsidiary legislation on feed-in tariffs
• Energy Policy for Malta
• National Strategy for Policy and Abatement Measures Relating to the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Learning Outcome 3: Explain the principles of operation of the different types of PV technologies available

Unit Content

• The Photovoltaic Effect
• Monocristalline
• Polycristalline
• Amorphous silicon
• Ribbon Silicon
• PV Cell Manufacturing processes
• SolarArrays
• Blocking diodes
• Bypass Diodes
• Shading Effect
• DC Power
• AC Conversion
• Safety issues

Learning Outcome 4: Select components required for a PV installation to required specifications

Unit Content

• Solar Panels and Modules
• Inverters

1. 1. Types of Inverters
   2. Inverter technology (transformerless, PWM output, full bridge, half bridge,)
   3. Operation of stand-alone and grid-connected inverters
   4. Inverter Safety Features (Grid-connected, Off-Grid and Island)
   5. Sizing of Inverters (Grid-connected, Off-Grid and Island)
   6. Measurement and recording of energy generated

• Support Structures

1. 1. Mounting techniques

• Cables

1. 1. DC Cables
   2. AC Cables
   3. Armoured and Unarmoured Cables

• Connectors and Disconnectors
• Connection and distribution boxes

• IP Rating 

Learning Outcome 5: Perform an installation of single phase PV systems

Unit Content

• Site Inspection
• Selection of support structure
• Cable selection and rating
• Location of inverters
• Connection of protection devices

1. 1. Grid protection
   2. Lightning and grounding protection

• Structural Safety
• Safety issues
• System assembly and testing 

The following are the suggested pre-requisites and/or entry requirements needed:

Pre- Requisites:

• Good Knowledge of English

Entry Requirements:

• Authorisation A or Applicants who hold an Electrical Engineering Degree or Applicants with a Mechanical Engineering Degree holding Authorisation A. 

Course participants may be awarded either an MCAST Certificate of Attendance or an MCAST Certificate of Achievement.

MCAST Certificate of Attendance

• An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to those candidates who attend at least 80% of the lessons.

MCAST Certificate of Achievement

• An MCAST Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to those candidates who satisfy the 80% attendance criteria and also choose to sit and pass the course assessment/s.
• Students who opt not to sit for the assessment or fail (the assessment/s) will however be awarded the MCAST Certificate of Attendance provided that they fulfill the minimum attendance criteria as stated above. 

If the student intends to obtain a Certificate of Achievement, she/he is required to sit for an assessment/s.  Assessment/s may take various forms such as a home assignment, class assignment, practical test and time constrained test.  However, the assessment/s is not compulsory and an applicant may choose not to sit for it.

There are no additional costs or special materials/equipment to bring,