The Center for Sustainable Energy, - Center for Sustainable Energy’s at Bronx Community College Training Courses and Seminars

CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INAUGURATES PHOTOVOLTAIC LAB

On Saturday, April 5th., the Center for Sustainable Energy inaugurated the Bronx Community College NYSERDA Photovoltaic Lab. Fifteen students from the NYCity Tech cohort, under the guidance of PV instructor Hugo Pedernera of Mercury Solar Systms, were introduced to a Fronius 2000 inverter, Outback Flexware power center, Schott 170 W solar panels, a combiner box, and other essential modules of a solar system. This state of the art equipment was recently purchased by the Center with the help and guidance of Solar Energy Systems of Brooklyn. The students moved six 5’x3’ solar panels outside and placed them on a Unirac Solarmount railing system in the sunlight, strung them in series and connected them to a SMA Sunnyboy 1800 inverter and watched as the DC power from the panels were turned into AC current. They also had the opportunity to attach a solar panel directly to an electric bicycle and watch as the wheels began to spin. The students were wildly enthusiastic and thrilled to be working with “the real thing”.
GALLERY

	Site Visit	Hugo Shows Various Wires


	Francesca Clips a Wire	Connecting Solar Panels in Parallel

	Inverter Changes DC Current Into AC.JPG	Keith checks the voltage

Photovoltaic Installation Class

Solar photovoltaics ("PV" or sunlight-to-electricity) is fast becoming a major source of electrical power around the world. Clean, inexhaustible energy can be captured from sunlight and converted into infinite varieties of useful work. Learn the basics of this amazing technology and how solar arrays are installed and maintained.

The Center for Sustainable Energy is a NABCEP recognized provider of PV education. It offers a 40 hour installation course open to the general public, electricians, architects, novice installers and engineers. The course includes the latest photovoltaic technologies, cost analysis, sizing, building/zoning code issues, solar installation site visits and a hands-on lab with PV and inverter technology and mounting methods. The Center also offers a two session Math/Electricity Basics class for students who need to brush up on basic electricity concepts that are at the heart of solar installations.

NABCEP Entry Level Exam
The road to becoming a certified PV installer begins with a good introductory PV Installation class and passing the NABCEP Entry Level Exam (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). This voluntary exam, 60 multiple choice questions and problems, tells a potential employer that the holder of this certification has mastered an important body of knowledge and would make a good entry level employee in a solar installation company. It is recognized across the country.
The Center offers the exam to graduates of its 40 hour PV Installation Course and graduates of other recognized PV programs.