Design and Development of a Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Training Infrastructure

Renewable Energy (RE) related course work is becoming an important part of the science, engineering, and technology curricula. Hands-on training in RE-related coursework is a major part of engineering technology-related technical coursework. RE courses typically require handson laboratory experiments for the students, unless the course is being taught in business and education related programs. Laboratory experiments for the related courses necessitate two major laboratory tools, first, a good laboratory workbook pertaining to what is being taught in the lectures and second, the related laboratory equipment. There is a variety of laboratory equipment available on the market for the RE related courses. The cost of the equipment varies between $2,500-$100,000 or more depending on what is expected required in the course. Some of the training/laboratory equipment companies offer manuals/workbooks to accompany their equipment. Those technical and engineering programs covering specific renewable energy curricula, but lack funding to purchase necessary lab equipment, seek ways to build their own equipment and prepare related laboratory activities. This research describes design and development of a 3-Phase Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Training Unit using microand stringinverters. The unit is completely designed and built in the design and production laboratories of an engineering technology program by faculty and students. The available lab equipment is used in lab sections of two renewable energy courses offered in the program.