REST: Renewable Energy Generation with Solar Thermal Systems

This five- day workshop on Solar Thermal technology focuses on domestic solar hot water systems, but will discuss the various applications of solar thermal technology. You will learn how to site a system based on solar fundamentals and how to size a system based on thermal load analysis. You will explore system components, types, and designs as well as best practices regarding installation, maintenance and troubleshooting. A hands-on installation of both a fully-operational drainback and a pressurized glycol system will cap the week.

An optional NABCEP Solar Heating (SH) Entry Level Exam is offered. Please note this is not NABCEP certification, it is simply an indicator of knowledge gained at the Entry Level and a differentiator to a potential employer. You must meet additional experiential requirements to sit for the NABCEP Solar Heating Installer Certification Exam. This course counts toward the educational requirement (other requirements needed) on the journey to becoming a NABCEP Certified Solar Heating installer. Details Here.

REST Learning Objectives:

At the end of the week, you should be able to:

Identify system components

Identify system types and applications

Identify optimum sites for solar thermal systems

Identify NC code requirements for solar thermal systems

Calculate thermal load for a solar thermal system

Identify the appropriate type of solar thermal system based on application, site and load

Calculate piping and flow rates to correctly size

Design a solar thermal system given certain criteria

Troubleshoot a solar thermal system in several scenarios

Safely and correctly assist in installing 2 types of domestic solar hot water systems – a pressurized glycol unit and a drain back system

Identify your competency level regarding the tasks on the NABCEP Solar Heating Task Analysis and gauge readiness to take the NABCEP Solar Heating Entry Level Exam based on NABCEP Entry Level Learning Objectives.