Course Form (revised 8-2009)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Prefix and Course #
Applied Computing and Electronics/
Energy Technology Program
Course Title
Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Design and Installation
NRG 243
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
PV Design and Installation
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New course addition
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Ashley Preston
Phone/ email :
243-7915
ashley.preston@umontana.edu
Program Chair/Director:
Tom Gallagher
Date
Other affected programs
Dean:
Barry Good
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
NO
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere YES
in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with
existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus 
http://msudw.msu.montana.edu:9030/wfez/owa/musxfer.p_CCN_MAIN
X
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U 243 Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Design and Installation 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq./coreq., EET111
Basic Electronics. An introduction to the fundamental principles and technologies of solar photovoltaic
energy systems. Emphasis on system design and installation, including site and resource assessment, load
analysis, trouble shooting, and cost analysis. The material covered prepares students for a career in
renewable energy or for installing a renewable energy system on their own home.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
NRG243 is a key specialty energy course in the Energy Technology AAS degree program. The course provides
students with the basic knowledge and skills to design and install photovoltaic systems. The course is
NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certified and those who complete the
course may sit for the industry recognized Certificate of Knowledge exam. There are no courses on campus
that fulfill this need for knowledge about the physical, technical, and economic aspects of solar photovoltaic
systems.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
YES
NO
X
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the
course’s common course status? Please explain below.
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
NRG 243 Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Design and Installation
Department of Applied Computing and Electronics
Energy Technology
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Number:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Contact:
Credits:
NRG 243
Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Design and Installation
Jeff Wongstrom
Jeff Wongstrom: 406-889-5324, jeff.wongstrom@mso.umt.edu
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION: NRG 243 is an introduction to the fundamental principles and technologies of solar
photovoltaic energy systems. Emphasis on system design and installation, including site and resource
assessment, load analysis, trouble shooting, and cost analysis. The material covered prepares students for a
career in renewable energy or for installing a renewable energy system on their own home. Prereq./coreq.
EET111 Basic Electronics.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 Correctly use basic electrical and renewable energy terminology
 Use a digital multi-meter and watt meter
 Evaluate solar resources
 Describe and explain PV module fundamentals
 Describe factors that affect solar output
 Perform a load analysis
 Describe and specify system components
 Estimate energy output and cost
 Describe tools of the trade and safe working practices
 Describe and identify design errors and failures
 Reference the NEC
Requirements: Students must be able to download and open Word and PDF files and do online research. A
prior knowledge of the basics of electricity is mandatory.
COURSE MATERIALS: Online lecture material and web sites.
REQUIRED TOOLS: A digital multi meter for measuring AC or DC voltage, continuity, resistance, and 10
amps of AC or DC current. Inexpensive meters ($25.00) are available from Radio Shack, auto parts stores, or
online(dmm). Also, a Kill-A-Watt meter (kill-a-watt) for measuring power usage ($18-25 online such as at
kill-a-watt$).
RECOMMENDED TEXT: Home Power Magazine online membership $24.95 highly recommended. A hard
copy is available in the UMCOT library. Photovoltaic Systems by Jonathan Gosse, American Technical
Publishers, 2009. The manual is available new and used from Amazon (PV Design) for $35.00-$40.00.
ASSESSMENT:
Weekly assignments/participation
Weekly quizzes
40%
Class project
30%
30%
Grade scale
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and below
ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATION: Students are required to login at least twice per week to check
announcements for assignments. Assignments posted Monday will be due no later than 8:00am
Thursday of the same week. Assignments posted Thursday will be due no later than 8:00am
Monday of the following week. Generally, assignments require researching a topic, posting
information to the discussion board, and participating in discussions on multiple topics.
Participation in the discussion board is required and includes responding to at least one fellow
student posting to receive full credit. Late work is not accepted.
ONLINE LECTURE MATERIAL AND QUIZES: Each week students will be required to read the lecture
material and supplemental online reading and take the corresponding quiz by 8:00am the following
Monday. Expect 3-4 hours for reading lecture material and completing quiz each week plus 3-4
hours for doing research and completing assignments each week. Late work is not accepted.
CLASS PROJECT: The class project requires a site visit, research, and a paper on either (1) an existing
renewable energy system, (2) the design of a proposed renewable energy system, or (3) another
student proposed/instructor approved renewable energy project. Late work is heavily penalized.
Drop/Add Policy
http://www.umt.edu/catalog/policy_procedure.htm
Academic Honesty Policy
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the
course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm?page?1321
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Eligible students with disabilities will receive appropriate accommodations in this course when requested in
a timely way. Please speak with me after class or in my office. Please be prepared to provide a letter from
your Disability Services for Students (DSS) Coordinator.
For students planning to request testing accommodations, be sure to bring the form to me in advance of the
two-day deadline for scheduling in the Academic Support Center (ASC).
Topical Outline: (Spring)
Week 1 Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
 Photovoltaics
 PV Applications
 PV Industry
 Solar Energy Technologies
Week 2
Solar Radiation
 The Sun
 Solar Radiation
 Sun-Earth Relationships
 Array Orientation
 Solar Radiation Data Sets
Week 3 Site Analysis
 Preliminary Assessment
 Site Surveys
 Preparing Proposals
 Installation Planning
Week 4 System Components and Configuration
 Components
 Electricity Sources
 System Configuration
Week 5 Cells, Modules, and Arrays
 Photovoltaic Cells
 Current-Voltage(I-V) Curve
 Device Response
 Modules and Arrays
Week 6
Batteries
 Principles
 Types
 Systems
Week 7 Charge Controllers




Features
Types
Setpoints
Applications
Week 8 Inverters
 AC Power
 Inverters
 Power Conditioning Units
 Inverter Features and Specifications
Week 9 System Sizing
 Methods
 Calculations
Week 10
Intermission
Week 11
Mechanical Integration
 Considerations
 Mounting Configurations
 Integration
Week 12
Electrical Integration
 Integration
 Conductors and Wiring Methods
 Overcurrent Protection
 Disconnects
 Grounding
 Battery Systems
Week 13
Utility Interconnection, Permitting, and Inspection
 Interactive Distributed Generation
 Utility Interconnection Policies
 Building Codes and Regulations
 Permitting
 Inspection
Week 14
Commissioning, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
 Commissioning
 Maintenance
 Monitoring
 Troubleshooting
Week 15
Economic Analysis
 Politics
 Incentives
 Cost Analysis
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.