Grid-Connected PV Systems Design Only

$1,595.00

Online Course, Enrol & Start Anytime

The GSES Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems Design Only course is the foundation of your solar career, and pathway to your SAA Accreditation.

  • Approximately 90 hours to complete (self-paced online)
  • Free one to one Tutor Support
  • 500+ Page Textbook Included!

This course is designed for electricians, engineers, and anyone looking to upskill or get started in the solar energy industry.

See prerequisites for more information.

GSES is a Nationally Recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 91461). Please read the essential Course Information and Policies before purchasing this course.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Prerequisites

Course participants must demonstrate one of the following prerequisites to enrol in this course:

Electricians (nationally recognised training):

  • An unrestricted electrical licence issued by an Australian state or territory; OR
  • Statement of Attainment in UEEEL0039 – Design, install and verify compliance and functionality of general electrical installations;

NOTE: Electrical Apprentices that have completed or are due to complete UEEEL0039 (within a year) are eligible to enroll, however you will not receive your certificate until you have provided evidence of your completion of UEEEL0039.

Pathway for all other students (nationally recognised training):

  • Statement of Attainment in UEERE0051 – Apply electrical principles to renewable energy design;
Training Outcome
For the nationally recognised training pathway, successful completion will result in the award of a Statement of Attainment in the following Units of Competency.
  • UEERE0054 – Conduct site survey for grid-connected photovoltaic and battery storage systems
  • UEERE0061 – Design grid-connected photovoltaic power supply systems
Students who receive a Statement of Attainment will be eligible to apply for SAA accreditation.

The SAA has information on their website indicating their requirements to apply for Accreditation: https://saaustralia.com.au/about-accreditation/.

For the non-nationally recognised training pathway, successful completion will result in the award of a Certificate of Completion. This pathway is not eligible for SAA accreditation.

Materials and Equipment

Students can choose between options of an online e-Book or a printed copy of the publication Grid-Connected PV Systems Design and Installation 8th Edition as part of enrolment; if a student wants a printed hard copy they must pay an additional fee for printing and shipping the textbook. Students are responsible for obtaining current copies of the following Australian Standards, available for purchase from the SAI Global website or Techstreet website, and also available from some libraries, institutions and industry associations:

  • AS/NZS 5033 – Photovoltaic arrays
  • AS/NZS 4777.1 – Grid connection of energy systems via inverters
  • AS/NZS 3000 – Wiring rules
  • AS/NZS 3008.1.1 – Selection of cables Part 1.1

Students will also require the following:

  • Computer with a reliable Internet connection
  • Scientific calculator
  • Email account, checked regularly
Delivery Method and Duration

This course is delivered online at students’ own pace. The course is nominally 90 hours of training, including the online assessments and design task, but students may take more or less time to complete the course. Courses are valid for twelve (12) months. Extension fees apply from the date of expiry, and the maximum extension permitted is six (6) months from the date of expiry.

GSES has a team of tutors who mark the online work and as necessary supply feedback or additional technical information to the students. GSES’s tutors are also available to be contacted by phone during business hours or email.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

As a registered training organisation (RTO) GSES complies with the Standards set out by the regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), for Vocational Education Training (VET).

GSES will inform students within 30 days of any changes to services provided to them. This includes any changes to education and support services, any change in the RTO ownership or to third party arrangements.

GSES maintains an adult workplace. We do not countenance any behaviour that is contrary to safe work practice. We do not countenance inappropriate language in all forms of communication. GSES asks that all persons treat others with respect.

Cheating will not be tolerated. If detected, sanctions may be implemented at the discretion of GSES. Students are required to ensure that all responses and/or work they submit is their own work. Any referenced material should be annotated as to its origin. Sanctions may be implemented at the discretion of GSES if plagiarism or fraud is detected, including revocation of certification.

All GSES course participants have the right to appeal the results they obtain in assessments and examinations. The appeal should be sent in writing to the RTO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will review the result and respond in writing. GSES may use mediation and conciliation to resolve the complaint. Students also have the right to engage a suitably qualified independent assessor.

Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellation of online training courses will be subject to the following conditions:

  • If the student’s Learning, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) levels are determined by GSES to be below the standard required to complete the coursework successfully, and the student has not yet submitted coursework for assessment, GSES may offer a full refund of the online course material and practical training component. If the student then opts to continue with the course, the standard cancellation and refund policy applies.
  • Cancellation of online training courses made within fourteen (14) days of the date of payment AND before the online course has been accessed: the student will receive a full refund of the online course payment.
  • Cancellation of online training courses made within fourteen (14) days of the date of payment AND after the online course has been accessed AND before any coursework has been submitted for assessment: the student will receive a refund of the online course payment less a cancellation fee of $440, unless the value of the course is lower than this, in which case the student will receive no refund.
  • Cancellation more than fourteen (14) days after the date of payment OR after the first coursework is submitted for assessment (whichever occurs first): the student will receive no refund.
  • All course refunds are exclusive of the price of the printed course publication (if chosen) as advertised at the time of enrolment, unless the publication is returned to GSES in an undamaged and unused condition. GSES reserves the right to refuse a refund of the publication on the basis that goods are damaged or have been used prior to return.

The cost of an online training course is inclusive of the Practical Training Component (if applicable), as are course refunds.

Recognition of Prior Learning

In accordance with the Australian Quality Framework, GSES is committed to providing a quality recognition process to all students that is:

  • Fair
  • Flexible
  • Reliable
  • Valid

GSES will on request engage in a recognition of prior learning evaluation. GSES does not offer entry level VET sector training.

For more information on our Recognition of Prior Learning policy, please see the Course Information and Policies section 4.

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Description

This course is designed for engineers and others working in the renewable energy industry who wish to further their skills to design grid-connected photovoltaic systems. The course is entirely online with tutor support via phone and email; however, an additional optional face-to-face practical is available for those who want hands-on installation experience. Course access is valid for 12 months.

Prerequisites: To receive a Statement of Attainment upon completion of the course, students must hold either:

  • An unrestricted electrical licence issued by an Australian state or territory
  • Competency in the following units as evidenced by Statements of Attainment or authenticated USI transcript:
    • UEENEEE104A
    • UEENEEG106A or UEENEEE108A
    • UEENEEE137A

If students do not meet the above requirement, but wish to apply for CEC accreditation upon completion of the course, they must demonstrate sufficient prior electrical knowledge through either:

  • An electrical engineering degree recognised by the Washington Accord
  • A certificate of completion for the GSES Electrical Basics examination (currently only available to engineers)

Students who do not meet any of the prerequisites described are warned that there is heavy use of computer, calculator and mathematical equations. For this reason it is strongly recommended that students have prior knowledge of mathematics, as well as computer and calculator skills.

Outcome of successful completion: Certificate of completion equivalent to the following Units of Competency and, along with an electrical engineering degree or certificate of completion for the Electrical Basics examination, eligible to apply for CEC Grid-connect Design provisional accreditation (refer to the CEC for any additional requirements).

  • UEENEEK125A: Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus and systems
  • UEENEEK135A: Design grid connected photovoltaic power supply systems

Licensed electricians or others who can demonstrate completion of the prerequisite VET sector units of competency will receive a Statement of Attainment for the above units.

Required materials: Students are supplied with the publication Grid-Connected PV Systems Design and Installation 8th Edition after enrolment at no additional cost. Students are responsible for obtaining current copies of the following Australian Standards, available for purchase from the SAI Global website or Techstreet website, and also available from some libraries, institutions and industry associations:

  • AS/NZS 5033 – Photovoltaic arrays
  • AS/NZS 4777.1 – Grid connection of energy systems via inverters
  • AS/NZS 3000 – Wiring rules
  • AS/NZS 3008.1.1 – Selection of cables Part 1.1

Students will also require the following:

  • Computer with reliable Internet connection
  • Scientific calculator
  • Email account, checked regularly