NCCER Solar PV study guide
NCCER Solar PV · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
NCCER Solar PV is a craft training credential in the NCCER catalog of construction trades. NCCER describes itself as "an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation" created in 1996, and its programs and crafts are delivered through accredited organizations and points of delivery rather than by NCCER directly. The NCCER Solar PV study guide has 5 sections and about 1,842 words.
01Solar PV Fundamentals and Safety
Domain 1 tests how a PV cell converts sunlight into DC electricity, how the solar resource is quantified, and the safety controls NCCER expects on every PV jobsite - electrical, fall, and environmental. Irradiance is instantaneous power density in W/m².
406 words, about 2 min02Solar PV System Components and Electrical Basics
Domain 2 covers the hardware between the sun and the grid - modules, strings, combiners, inverters, disconnects, storage - plus the Article 690 and 705 calculations that size conductors and overcurrent devices. Module : 60/72-cell or half-cut 120/144-cell formats.
403 words, about 2 min03Site Assessment, Design, and Layout
Domain 3 tests whether you can evaluate a site, predict production, and lay out an array that is code-compliant, structurally sound, and serviceable. True south (not magnetic) is optimal in the northern hemisphere; correct for magnetic declination using a compass or solar tool.
358 words, about 2 min04Solar PV Installation and Mounting
Domain 4 tests hands-on execution: how arrays are attached, flashed, bonded, torqued, and protected on roofs, ground mounts, and other structures. Locate rafters with a stud finder and confirm by pilot hole; lag screws need the manufacturer's minimum embedment (commonly 2.5–3 in) into structural members.
326 words, about 2 min05Commissioning, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
Domain 5 tests verification, documentation, and diagnosis: proving a system is safe and performing, then finding faults fast when production drops. Visual inspection: labeling, clearances, torque marks, strain relief, flashing.
349 words, about 2 min