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Solar Energy Codes, Permitting and Zoning
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  2. Physical Science and Engineering
  3. Environmental Science and Sustainability
University at Buffalo

Solar Energy Codes, Permitting and Zoning

This course is part of Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors Specialization

Gay E Canough

Instructor: Gay E Canough

8,295 already enrolled

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5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(130 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(130 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • Articulate PV system building code essentials

  • Describe the site inspection process

  • Identify code and zoning rule considerations

  • Explain key design elements and points for inspection

Skills you'll gain

  • Construction Inspection
  • Structural Analysis
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Verification And Validation
  • Engineering Documentation
  • Land Development
  • Electrical Safety
  • Building Codes
  • Electrical Systems

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

This course equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements.

This course is for anyone interested in entering the solar power sector, and is especially appropriate for building and code inspectors, engineers, HVAC installers and architects. It assumes that the learner has a basic grasp of electrical engineering and mathematical concepts. Those who are unfamiliar with how PV works, the elements of a PV system, and/or solar power ROI should take the first course of the specialization, Solar Energy Systems Overview. Learners seeking a greater understanding of the anatomy and function of PV systems should take the second course, Solar Energy and Electrical System Design. Material includes online lectures, videos, demos, hands-on exercises, project work, readings and discussions. This is the third course in the Solar PV for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors specialization. To learn more about the specialization, check out a video overview at https://youtu.be/XjkKzbXqA6s.

Students will gain an understanding of the many codes impacting solar system design, installation and operation.

What's included

3 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

3 videos•Total 18 minutes
  • Building Codes for Residential PV Systems•5 minutes
  • Codes for Commercial Roof Systems•3 minutes
  • Site Inspections•9 minutes
4 readings•Total 82 minutes
  • Acknowledgements•2 minutes
  • International and United States Codes (Optional)•40 minutes
  • Code Adoption (Optional)•20 minutes
  • State-Level Code Amendments (Optional)•20 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
  • Code and Inspection Requirements Practice Quiz•30 minutes
  • Code and Inspection Requirements•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Codes and Inspection•10 minutes

Students will review to the types of codes and zoning rules inspectors consider when reviewing PV systems.

What's included

4 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videos•Total 17 minutes
  • Code and Zoning Rules•7 minutes
  • Permitting•3 minutes
  • Planning Documents•2 minutes
  • Streamlining the Permitting Process•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 80 minutes
  • International Codes (Optional)•40 minutes
  • U.S. National Electrical Code (Optional)•10 minutes
  • Uniform Building Code Updates for New York State (Optional)•10 minutes
  • Unified Solar Permit (Optional)•10 minutes
  • Solar Foundation Solar APP (Optional)•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 50 minutes
  • Inspection Methods and the Permitting Process Practice Quiz•20 minutes
  • Inspection Methods and the Permitting Process•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Zoning and Permitting•10 minutes

Students will explore key PV system design elements and points for inspection.

What's included

4 videos6 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videos•Total 19 minutes
  • Code Inspection Overview•3 minutes
  • Load Considerations•7 minutes
  • What to Inspect•3 minutes
  • Electrical Code Inspection•6 minutes
6 readings•Total 140 minutes
  • Code Inspection Resources (Optional)•30 minutes
  • Hazard Maps (Optional)•20 minutes
  • Snow Load Information (Optional)•20 minutes
  • Flashing (Optional)•10 minutes
  • Inspection Resources (Optional)•30 minutes
  • Disconnects and Rapid Shutdown (Optional)•30 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
  • Inspection Considerations Practice Quiz•30 minutes
  • Inspection Considerations•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Inspection Considerations•10 minutes

Students will learn about PV system labeling requirements for small and large systems.

What's included

2 videos3 readings2 assignments

2 videos•Total 12 minutes
  • System Labeling•8 minutes
  • Labeling and Inspecting Large Systems•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 50 minutes
  • PV System Labeling Resources (Optional)•20 minutes
  • Power Optimizers (Optional)•20 minutes
  • Bonding and Grounding PV Systems (Optional)•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
  • Labeling Requirements Practice Quiz•30 minutes
  • Labeling Requirements•30 minutes

What's included

1 peer review

1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
  • Final Graded Compliance Project•120 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.8 (41 ratings)
Gay E Canough
Gay E Canough
University at Buffalo
3 Courses•39,622 learners

Offered by

University at Buffalo

Offered by

University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) is a premier, research-intensive public university and the largest, most comprehensive institution of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. UB offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees and nearly 300 graduate and professional programs.

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4.7

130 reviews

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Showing 3 of 130

M
MS
5

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2020

A very nice and educative course it really help me in understanding more about solar PV systems designs

S
SB
5

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2020

Excellent Course for the Solar professionals.Instructor having vast experience in the solar and SME (Subject Matter Expert)

B
BO
5

Reviewed on Aug 27, 2020

The course is insightful and knowledgeable too. It was a step in the right direction for me.

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