ETA PVI-LVL1 photovoltaic installer exam guide exam help

ETA Photovoltaic Installer Level 1 (PVI-LVL1) is an ETA International renewable energy certification for workers learning the professional tasks associated with the design, development, installation, and repair of photovoltaic solar systems. ETA states that skill demonstrations are earned through hands-on training from an ETA-approved school before sitting for the knowledge examination, though prior job-experience proof can be reviewed by ETA in place of approved-trainer skills.

ETA's current catalog lists PVI1 as a stand-alone certification with maintenance required, a 4-year term, hands-on required, 75 questions, a 75% passing score, and 2 hours allowed to test. Preparation should cover major PV system components, PV system types, panel types and characteristics, array and balance-of-system installation sequence, basic array and BOS component installation, array orientation, performance characteristics, basic system sizing, troubleshooting, installation errors, electrical safety, eye and ear protection, ladder and roof work, lanyards and harnesses, hand and power tools, renewable energy background, PV effect and principles, grid interconnection, grid parity, RPS and SRECs, distributed energy systems, solar terminology, cell technologies, PV cell characteristics, blocking and module-protection diodes, grid-tied and off-grid systems, hybrid systems, seasonal loads, I-V curves, maximum power point, NOCT, STC, Voc, Isc, temperature coefficient, batteries and energy storage, PV wiring, grounding, bonding, overcurrent protection, tracking and fixed-tilt arrays, solar path terms, charge controllers, inverters, anti-islanding, OSHA safety, battery safety, high-voltage testing, site safety, mounting, wire management, codes and standards, theory of operation, site selection, load calculations, plans and blueprints, RFIs, estimating, takeoffs, and bid summaries.