The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) presents Operations and Maintenance for Optimal Photovoltaic System Performance, a new eTraining core course.

This eTraining outlines the necessary steps for planning and directing an operations and maintenance (O&M) program for the life of a photovoltaic (PV) system across a variety of system types, sizes, and environments. The course instructs on how to optimize system performance, consider environmental and site conditions when preparing an O&M plan, understand warranties and guarantees, and budget for ongoing O&M.

The course is part of FEMP’s Solar Energy: Photovoltaics Certificate Series, which discusses solar PV fundamentals for small- and large-scale applications and O&M best practices for different system scales.

By completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Reduce environmental and economic costs of fossil fuel energy and increase self-supply of renewable energy by providing information and resources on proper photovoltaic (PV) operations and maintenance (O&M)
• Customize an O&M strategy to achieve renewable energy delivery that corresponds to green building goals by recognizing differences in system size, type, site conditions, and environmental conditions
• Ensure staff health and wellness by ensuring that personnel are trained on proper qualifications and personal protective equipment for specific tasks
• Ensure economic savings by understanding product warranties, guarantees, and limitations in budgeting for ongoing operations and maintenance

The instructor for this course is Andy Walker, PhD, principal engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

After completing a course evaluation and multiple-choice assessment, participants will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible for continuing education units.

FEMP eTraining courses are designed for federal energy and facility managers, but are

open to all individuals through the FEMP Training Search. Courses are hosted in partnership with the National Institute of Building Sciences Whole Building Design Guide.

For other free, self-paced eTraining courses offered by FEMP in association with the Whole Building Design Guide, visit the FEMP Training Search.

Requires Google Chrome, Firefox 4.0+, Internet Explorer 7.0+ or Safari, and the Adobe Flash 9+ plugin.