Maintenance and Engineering

Solar PV Systems: Design, Operation and Maintenance

Solar photovoltaic systems are being installed rapidly on buildings and as utility-scale plants. This course covers PV technology, system components, design and yield estimation, inverters, grid connection, installation quality, operation and maintenance, performance monitoring and safety.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Well-designed and maintained PV systems deliver reliable energy for decades. This course gives practical knowledge to plan and operate them.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course uses design exercises, yield calculations, monitoring data analysis and case studies.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain PV technology and components
Design PV systems and estimate energy yield
Select inverters and plan grid connection
Ensure installation quality and safety
Operate and maintain PV systems
Monitor and improve performance

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Electrical and energy engineers
Facilities and energy managers
Renewable energy project managers
Maintenance technicians
Developers and investors

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

PV technology
System design
Yield estimation
Grid connection
O&M
Performance monitoring

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1PV Fundamentals

09:00–09:54Solar resource
09:54–10:48PV cells and modules
10:48–11:00Market trends
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Market trends (continued)
12:12–13:06Applications
13:06–14:00Exercise: Site assessment

Day 2System Design

09:00–09:54System components
09:54–10:48Sizing
10:48–11:00Yield estimation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Yield estimation (continued)
12:12–13:06Shading and losses
13:06–14:00Lab: PV design

Day 3Inverters and Grid

09:00–09:54Inverter types
09:54–10:48Grid codes
10:48–11:00Protection
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Protection (continued)
12:12–13:06Storage integration
13:06–14:00Exercise: Grid connection

Day 4Installation and O&M

09:00–09:54Installation quality
09:54–10:48Safety
10:48–11:00Cleaning and inspection
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Cleaning and inspection (continued)
12:12–13:06Fault finding
13:06–14:00Case study: Underperforming plant

Day 5Performance

09:00–09:54Monitoring
09:54–10:48Performance ratio
10:48–11:00Degradation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Degradation (continued)
12:12–13:06Repowering
13:06–14:00Capstone: O&M plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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