DOE FEMP First Thursday Seminar: O&M Best Practices for Small-Scale PV Systems

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) will present O&M Best Practices for Small Scale PV Systems, a live First Thursday Seminar on December 4, 2014, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This new First Thursday Seminar will feature a new training format with enhanced features that include hands-on video demos, audience polling and Q&A, and links to additional resources and downloadable documents.

The seminar will cover operations and maintenance (O&M) best practices for photovoltaic (PV) systems of 100 kW or less, including planning for a PV O&M scope of work and developing maintenance procedures to keep the system operating at optimal capacity.

The instructors for this seminar are Brad Gustafson, P.E., CEM, LEED AP, supervisor of customer services for DOE FEMP, and Andy Walker, P.E., Ph.D., principal engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Kris Sutton and Joe Villaci of Solar Energy International will provide instructional support. 

Upon completion of this seminar, the learner will be able to:

• Assess critical items to manage assets and plan for a complete PV O&M program
• Identify preventative maintenance practices necessary to perform on a regular basis
• Identify, isolate and diagnose corrective maintenance and repair of failed PV components
• Determine and follow proven safety procedures when repairing equipment
• Understand the professional qualifications of personnel required to perform work on PV equipment.

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

First Thursday Seminars 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.