This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to install and commission a low voltage (LV) photovoltaic (PV) power system to the grid power system.

It includes working safely and to industry installation standards, matching PV components specified for a given location, placing and securing system components accurately, making required circuit connections and completing the necessary installation documentation.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit require a licence or permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on electrical installations which are designed to operate at voltages greater than 50 volt (V) alternating current (a.c.) or 120 V direct current (d.c.).

Competency development activities in this unit are subject to regulations directly related to licensing. Where a licence or permit to practice is not held, a relevant contract of training, such as an Australian Apprenticeship, is required.

Additional and/or other conditions may apply in some jurisdictions subject to regulations related to electrical work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

Note: Those holding an Unrestricted Electrician's Licence or equivalent issued in an Australian state or territory meet the prerequisite requirements of this unit.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan to install PV power system

1.1

Nature and location of the PV work is determined from documentation, diagrams or relevant person/s to determine the scope of work to be undertaken

1.2

WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are obtained and applied

1.3

Hazards are identified, risks assessed, control measures and workplace procedures implemented

1.4

Installation and/or alteration of the PV system is planned in consultation with persons effected by the work and sequenced appropriately

1.5

PV array mounting methods and roof orientation is determined in accordance with relevant industry standards

1.6

Location of PV system components is planned within the constraints of the building structure, significants and regulations

1.7

Material for the PV installation work is obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked against relevant diagrams and job requirements prior to installation

1.8

Need to test or measure live electrical work is determined in accordance with workplace safety procedures

1.9

Tools, equipment and measuring devices required for the PV installation work are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Install LV PV power system

2.1

Electrical WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures associated with extra-low voltage (ELV) and LV PV power system are followed

2.2

Circuits/machines/plant are checked as isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.3

PV system components are installed to comply with industry technical standards, job specifications and system requirements and with sufficient access to affect terminations, adjustment and maintenance

2.4

Wiring is terminated at components and associated equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications and functional and regulatory requirements

2.5

Unplanned situations are dealt with safely in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment and with the approval of an authorised person

2.6

PV system installation is carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, circuits, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy principles

2.7

Checks of installed apparatus quality and components are undertaken in accordance with workplace procedures

3

Complete and report PV installation activities

3.1

Worksite is cleaned and made safe in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Final inspections and tests are made to the installed apparatus to ensure installation conforms to job requirements, industry technical standards and manufacturer specifications

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two occasions and include:

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including:

checking tools, materials, equipment and testing devices for correct operation and safety

ensuring circuits are isolated

terminating wiring correctly and safety

testing or measuring low voltage (LV) photovoltaic (PV) power and operating systems safely

using risk control measures

dealing with unplanned events/situations in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

installing and setting up grid-connected PV system, including:

applying appropriate array mounting methods for roof sections

connecting grid inverter and measuring inverter parameters for various loads

placing and securing system components, including PV array

reading and interpreting drawings/diagrams related to apparatus locations and circuit connections

tilting and adjusting angle of roof mounted and free-standing PV array frame construction

connecting and commissioning at least one PV product in accordance with industry standards and regulations.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

PV array installation requirements, including:

WHS/OHS requirements and methods for working on roofs

common methods of roof construction (rafters and tile battens) and methods to ensure integrity of waterproofing

common types of roof mounted and free-standing PV array frame construction and methods of tilt angle adjustment

fixing methods for different roof types

array mounting methods for north orientation roof sections and non-north facing roof sections

aesthetic considerations in choosing an appropriate array location and type of mounting

the mounting and fixing methods for at least one type of commercially available building integrated PV product

electrical PV array installation requirements, including:

methods used in wiring and connecting PV arrays in accordance with relevant industry standards

considerations involved in wiring of series connected PV modules to minimise power losses due to shading

PV array wiring diagram including the placement of blocking and bypass diodes

considerations involved in choosing the location of associated system equipment, including regulators, direct current (d.c.) control board, inverters and inverters for grid-connected systems

cable route from PV array/s to inverters to minimise the route length

system installation and maintenance including:

installation work on a PV power system in accordance with relevant industry standards and WHS/OHS guidelines

correct isolation and shutdown procedures prior to carrying out maintenance tasks

routine maintenance tasks on PV arrays

required vegetation control to remove or reduce shading or soiling on a PV array

inverters, including:

types of inverters used in grid-connected systems

industry standard symbol for a LV inverter

the basic function of an inverter

simple block diagram of a typical inverter used in grid-connected system

inverter operation, including:

the basic principle of operation of a single phase inverter (using switch analogue)

the operation of a field effect transistor (FET) inverter, an inverter bridge and half-bridge configuration

connection of a grid inverter and measurement of the inverter parameters for various loads

inverter characteristics, including:

the characteristics which distinguish inverters suitable for grid-connected PV array application from standard inverters

using waveform diagrams, the function of pulse width modulator (PWM) techniques in square wave, modified square wave and synthesised sine wave inverters

output voltage waveforms for square wave, modified square wave and synthesised sine wave inverters showing typical voltages and periodic times

the six (6) essential inverter specifications

PV grid-connected system operation, including:

block diagram of a PV grid-connected system

operation of grid interactive PV systems, including synchronisation, safety feature, power flow control, passive and active anti-islanding, and metered energy for systems

schematic diagrams of common grid-connected inverter circuit configurations, including metering arrangements, isolation and connection with respect to residual current devices (RCDs) in accordance with relevant industry standards

installation of grid-connected inverters, including:

major installation requirements for all system components which will ensure correct operation, long life, safety and ease of maintenance consistent with relevant industry standards and WHS/OHS guidelines

selection of a suitable location for the PV array, inverter and other components, at a given installation site in accordance with relevant industry standards

typical installation configurations for grid connection of energy systems via inverters

the function and operation of a grid protection device as specified by relevant industry standards

array wiring plan for series connected modules to minimise power loss due to shading at a particular site

installation requirements for a grid-connected system

labelling and signage requirements for switchboards supplied with power from grid connected inverters, as set out in the relevant industry standards

the additional requirements for UPS systems as specified in the relevant industry standards

installation of a PV grid-connected system

system commissioning and maintenance, including:

the isolation procedures required for grid-connected inverters

relevant commissioning procedures, including start-up and shutdown procedures for grid-connected inverter systems in accordance with relevant industry standards

testing a grid-connected inverter system for correct operation

location and rectification of an electrical fault within a PV array/inverter and wiring

maintenance schedule for a grid-connected PV power system

performing commissioning work on a PV power system in accordance with relevant industry standards.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Install, configuring and commissioning LV grid-connected PV power systems must include:

installing PV power systems in at least two different types of premises, construction or environment

Electrotechnology

Renewable Energy