The amount of sunlight available at a site has a direct impact on how much electricity a photovoltaic (PV) system can produce. Understanding the solar resource is therefore essential for designing, installing and operating high-performing solar energy systems.
In this course, you will learn how solar energy is measured and evaluated for PV systems. You will explore sunlight availability, solar radiation, weather data, system orientation and shading, and understand how these factors influence energy production and system performance.
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Duration: 1 Hour
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Language: English
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Level: Intermediate
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Cost: Free
This course is for anyone curious about how sunlight and site conditions affect PV system performance.
It's particularly relevant for professionals in solar installation, technical, operational or field-based roles who want to expand their understanding of PV system performance, though no previous experience in this area is required.
This course is also a useful starting point for those entering rooftop or utility-scale PV installation and for installation professionals who want a deeper understanding of PV design and production factors.
Before you start: No previous knowledge is required. Because this is a more technical course, a basic understanding of the components of a photovoltaic system components will help you get the most out of it.
By the end, you'll be able to:
- Understand how the Sun's position influences photovoltaic (PV) system design and performance
- Recognise the key measurements used to assess solar resources, including irradiance, irradiation and peak sun hours
- Understand how weather, location and solar resource data are used to estimate PV energy production
- Explain how array tilt and orientation affect production
- Identify the main factors that reduce PV energy production, including shading, soiling and snow
- Recognise common strategies used to reduce losses and improve PV system performance
- Lesson 1. Understanding the Sun’s Path for PV Design: Learn how the Sun’s position changes and how sun charts support row spacing and shading analysis
- Lesson 2. Measuring the solar resource: Learn the main terms used to measure solar energy and how peak sun hours help estimate PV production
- Lesson 3. Estimating sunlight from weather data: Learn how location, weather data and Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) datasets support estimates of the solar energy available to a PV system
- Lesson 4. Optimising Tilt and Orientation: Learn how array tilt and orientation influence seasonal and annual production and why different layouts may suit different projects
- Lesson 5. Reducing Energy Losses: Learn how shading, dirt and snow reduce PV production and which design and maintenance approaches can limit these losses
A Certificate of Completion from InnoEnergy Skills Institute once you finish all lessons, knowledge checks, and the final assessment with a score of 60% or higher. Get a shareable certificate to highlight your learning.
Is this course really free?
Yes. The lessons, final assessment and certificate are all free. You won’t need to provide any payment details when you register.
Do I need any experience?
No experience is required, but this is a more technical course. A basic understanding of photovoltaic system components, such as that covered in our other beginner courses, will help you get the most from it.
Will this course help me get a job?
This course deepens knowledge relevant to solar PV installation, technical and operational roles. If you are considering a career in the sector, it can provide a solid technical foundation; if you already work in solar PV, it can extend your understanding of system design and performance and support progression into more technical work.
What is the format of this course and how long does it take?
This course is 100% online and self-paced. The course is around one hour, including the final assessment.
