Solar Home System

1. DIY SOLAR HOME SYSTEM

Welcome to this 5 days course that will equip you on the know-how and practical solar home system sizing and installation for your home.

Step 1: 

Key Learning Outcomes:

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

1. Understand the fundamentals of solar energy and its applications in home systems.

2. Explain the components of a solar home system (panels, batteries, charge controllers, inverters, etc.).

3. Design a basic solar home system based on household energy needs.

4. Calculate energy requirements, system sizing, and cost estimation.

5. Install and maintain a small-scale solar home system (theoretical/practical guidance).

6. Evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of solar home systems.

Essential Questions to Guide Learning:

• How does solar energy work, and why is it important for homes?

• What are the key components of a solar home system, and how do they function together?

• How do you size a solar home system for different energy needs?

• What are the best practices for installation and maintenance?

• How cost-effective and sustainable are solar home systems compared to grid electricity?

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Step 2: 

Assessment Methods:

1. Quizzes & Knowledge Checks (Formative Assessment)

   • MCQ quizzes on solar energy basics, components, and system design principles.

   • Short-answer questions on calculations (e.g., load assessment, battery sizing).

2. Case Study Analysis

   • Learners analyze a household’s energy consumption and propose a solar solution.

3. Design Project (Summative Assessment)

   • Learners create a Solar Home System Design Plan for a given scenario, including:

     • Energy demand calculation

     • Component selection (panel wattage, battery capacity, etc.)

     • Cost estimation

     • Sustainability benefits

4. Peer Review & Discussion

   • Learners share their designs and critique each other’s work.

5. Final Exam (Optional)

   • Comprehensive test covering theory, calculations, and troubleshooting.

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Step 3: 

Course Structure:

Module 1: Introduction to Solar Home Systems

• Topics: Solar energy basics, benefits of SHS, types of systems (on-grid/off-grid).

• Activities: Video lecture, infographics, discussion forum ("Share your experience with solar energy").

Module 2: Components of a Solar Home System

• Topics: Solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, inverters, wiring.

• Activities:

  • Interactive diagram labeling exercise.

  • Virtual lab simulation (e.g., testing different component setups).

Module 3: System Sizing & Design

• Topics: Load assessment, solar irradiance, battery bank sizing, cost estimation.

• Activities:

  • Step-by-step calculation exercises (Excel/Google Sheets tool provided).

  • Case study: "Design a system for a rural home with X kWh/day usage."

Module 4: Installation & Maintenance

• Topics: Safety precautions, mounting panels, wiring, troubleshooting.

• Activities:

  • Video demonstration of installation.

  • Simulated fault-finding exercise (e.g., "Why is the battery not charging?").

Module 5: Economics & Sustainability

• Topics: Payback period, subsidies, environmental impact.

• Activities:

  • Debate: "Is solar worth the initial cost?"

  • ROI calculation assignment.

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Bonus: A certificate upon completion to motivate learners.