Instructors:    Peter Skinner, PE               Betsy Ferris Wyman
                    President, E2G                     VP Sales – Sundog Solar

Presented for:  Trades people, architects, engineers and students and leads to NABCEP Solar Thermal Certification

Class Description 

In early 2008, energy prices rose to unprecedented levels. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere have risen to levels last seen 450,000 years ago.   Solar thermal systems will address both issues allow citizens to take advantage of lucrative federal and state tax credits.  Today’s solar systems are reliable and efficient but must be customized for each client’s unique hot water system design.   Solar thermal system design and installation capability can be a profitable addition to your list of services.   Day 1 will cover NE solar resources, client Btu need determination and solar loop design options.  Day 2 will cover collectors, roof attachments, recharging old systems, heat exchange considerations and solar business issues.  Day 3 will review earlier days’ instruction, tankage options, solar financing, code matters and integration of solar storage with existing and new DHW and space heat systems on-site.

Day 1:
Plumbing and performance of the solar loop
Drainback (indirect)
Closed Loop pressurized (indirect)
Open loop DHW (direct)
Pool heat systems (direct)
Draindown systems (direct)
Collector type and performance analysis
                SRCC certification & rating activities
                Weather impacts
                Panel flow requirements
                Ti-Ta analyses
Pump & pipe size selection
Anti-freeze & corrosion resistance
Heat dump options
Solar resources in NE
                Weather – cloudiness, temperature, precipitation
                Insolation – monthly data, azimuth, etc.
Solar site assessment – outdoor demonstration
Insolation math
State & federal tax credits & equipment requirements
System sizing and client assessment
                DHW demands – residential, dairy, restaurant,
                Space Heat systems – radiant floor, air handler, large storage options
                Outdoor and indoor pools
Residential and commercial site issues

In-class worksheet exercises & discussion and other documentary handouts
Equipment used - pumps, collectors, fluids, piping, insulation, etc. 
Short Quiz
Day 2 worksheets handed out along with Tom Lane's seminal solar book "Lessons Learned..."  http://www.ecs-solar.com/lessons_learned.htm 
In-class materials: 
-- Component based pump station (pump, HX, flowmeter, valves, pressure relief valve, drains, gages, etc.)
-- pre-fab pump module(s)
-- drainback tank
-- flat plate collector
-- evacuated tube collector
-- pipes and insulation
-- solar & plumbing tools

Day 2
Review of Day 1 topics and worksheet discussions
In-class worksheet exercises & discussion
Old system recharge and renovation issues
                Fault troubleshooting
                Component failures
                Equipment needs
Panel attachment options
Wind, sheer & drag load analyses
Pipe penetration protection - leak protection
Safety equipment and use & tools needed
Heat transfer concepts and equipment
                Submerged HX design & fluxes
                External HX options and performance
Simple DHW system integration discussion
System control options
                Simple & complicated solar controllers
                Snap switch options
                Relay logic
Solar thermal math
Safety & license requirements
Roof safety
Electrical safety
Plumbing safety
Worksheets handed out
Short quiz -

In-class materials: 
-- roof mounts & bolts
-- dummy shingled & steel roof section & penetration boots
-- solar thermal resource CD and other documentary handouts 
-- materials from Days 1&2
-- flat plate & shell & tube HX
-- solar loop controllers, relays & snap switches
-- roof safety gear
-- plumbing & electrical safety gear

Evening gathering a local restaurant for deeper exploration of issues

Day 3
Review of Days 1 & 2
Worksheet discussions, Q&As
Solar performance analysis tools; RETScreen, F-chart, etc.
Btu monitoring services methods & data
Integration of solar storage and hot water/space heat system designs
Single DHW tank – electric back up
Double tank options – electric, gas, oil & on-demand back up
                Multiple tanks & space heat system design
                Thermosiphon & pumped hot water transfer loops
Geothermal loop integration
Access to equipment discussions
Pitfalls to avoid & other learning opportunities
Liability insurance & employee issues
Solar finance
                Tax credits
                Accelerated depreciation
                Property tax matters
Marketing approaches that work

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Click here for NABCEP Solar Thermal Study Guide PDF Format