EE200 — Introduction to Solar Power Systems

Build a Strong Solar PV Foundation

EE200 is the foundational course of GIEE's Solar PV track. Whether you are an engineer entering the solar industry, a recent graduate looking to build solar competency, or a professional from an adjacent field exploring solar opportunities, EE200 gives you the principled understanding of solar photovoltaic systems that everything else builds on.

You will learn the physics of how sunlight becomes electricity, the technology of PV cells, modules, and arrays, the architectures of grid-tied and off-grid systems, the components that complete a solar installation, and the workflow that turns site potential into operational systems. The course balances accessible explanations with engineering rigor — accessible enough for newcomers, rigorous enough that working engineers leave with genuinely useful knowledge.

EE200 is required for the CSPP — Certified Solar PV Professional certification. Combined with EE201 (Advanced Solar Power Systems), EE202 (Solar PV Electrical Design, Codes, and Operations), and EE203 (Solar PV Modeling, Simulation, and Energy Yield Analysis), the four-course Solar PV track delivers the foundational professional capability for solar PV engineering work.

What You Will Learn

• Explain solar resource fundamentals and how irradiance varies across location, season, and time of day
• Describe PV cell, module, and array technology including silicon types and emerging chemistries
• Distinguish grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid system architectures and their applications
• Identify the major components of a complete solar installation: panels, inverters, mounting, balance of system
• Apply basic site assessment methods to evaluate solar potential
• Recognize the role of NEC code requirements and safety considerations in solar design
• Understand performance, efficiency, and energy yield concepts at a foundational level
• Communicate solar PV concepts confidently with customers, regulators, and stakeholders

Course Structure

EE200 is organized into four modules covering solar PV from physics through applications:

• Module 1: Solar Physics and PV Technology Fundamentals — How sunlight becomes electricity. PV cell physics. Module and array technology. Silicon types, thin film, and emerging chemistries. The fundamental concepts every solar engineer needs.
• Module 2: System Types and Architectures — Grid-tied systems, off-grid systems, hybrid systems. Residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. The architectural decisions that shape every solar project.
• Module 3: Components and Site Assessment — Panels, inverters, mounting systems, balance of system equipment. Site assessment fundamentals: solar resource, shading, structural considerations.
• Module 4: NEC Code Basics, Safety, and Performance — NEC code requirements relevant to PV. Safety essentials for solar installation and operation. Performance, efficiency, and energy yield concepts.

Real-World Examples

Every concept is grounded in real solar installations. Examine residential rooftop systems showing module orientation, mounting choices, and inverter selection. Review commercial flat-roof installations with shading challenges and string design considerations. Explore utility-scale solar farms with single-axis tracking and centralized inverter architectures. See off-grid systems for remote applications. Real installations, real engineering decisions, real performance data.

Who This Course Is For

• Engineers entering the solar industry from other fields
• Recent engineering graduates building solar competency
• Solar sales professionals who need engineering depth
• Project managers overseeing solar installations
• Utility engineers evaluating customer-side solar interconnection
• Engineers in adjacent fields exploring solar opportunities
• Anyone pursuing CSPP certification

Prerequisites

• Engineering or technical background (any discipline)
• Basic mathematics: algebra and basic physics concepts
• No prior solar industry experience required
• No prior electrical engineering specialization required (the course covers needed concepts as it goes)

Format and Access

• Duration: Approximately 8 hours of content
• Format: Self-paced online with video instruction, demonstrations, and quizzes
• Course Access: 6 months of full access from enrollment
• Completion Window: 90 days to complete coursework and the final exam
• Assessment: 4 module quizzes (30% of grade) + comprehensive final exam (70% of grade)
• Passing Score: 70% overall
• Language: English
• AI Tools: Encouraged for learning and exercises; prohibited during quizzes and the final exam

Path to Certification

EE200 is the first of four Solar PV courses required for CSPP certification:

• CSPP — Certified Solar PV Professional: Complete EE200 (Introduction to Solar Power Systems), EE201 (Advanced Solar Power Systems), EE202 (Solar PV Electrical Design, Codes, and Operations), and EE203 (Solar PV Modeling, Simulation, and Energy Yield Analysis), then pass the CSPP certification exam. Total of 4 courses for the credential designed to prepare engineers for professional solar PV work.

The CSPP track delivers comprehensive solar PV engineering capability covering foundations, design and sizing, electrical and code compliance, and energy modeling. Graduates leave with the integrated skill set required for professional solar PV roles in development, design, project engineering, and operations.