Certification Training Course

SESSION - 1
1. Introduction
2. Solar Fundamentals
3. PV Technologies
4. PV Modules
5. Inverters
6. EMC Main Issues
Certification Training Course

SESSION - 1: Introduction
a. DEWA Solar PV Initiative Overview
b. Four Key Stages
c. Solar PV Certification Scheme
d. Skills and Expertise
Solar PV Initiative – Background Information

• The Solar PV initiative is one of the three Smart Dubai Initiatives to be

implemented by DEWA.

• DEWA encourage households and businesses to install PV solar panels

connected to grid

• Net metering

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Benefits of Solar PV Technology for Consumers

• Reduce electricity bills - requires an initial investment – move to lower

price band ;
• Increases the value of propriety
• Reduce carbon footprints
• Supports Dubai’s economy and ensure its sustainable future - Solar
power is locally produced at the point of consumption

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How do you benefit from this?

• DEWA Solar PV initiative has created a niche market for

Solar PV Experts.

• Electrical technicians, engineers and companies

interested in providing Solar PV services to DEWA
customers can benefit from this market niche.
• Certification will not only expand you skills and expertise
but will also set you apart from the competition.

• Installation of Solar PV technology has started to grow

rapidly over the years, in Dubai & the region and the rest
of the world.

• In the next steps, your Certification will be recognized

internationally and this may improve your job mobility.

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 Standards & Guidelines
DEWA has developed two KEY DOCUMENTS that govern all technical aspects related to
the installation and operation of Solar Plants in Dubai. These documents not only provide all
concerned parties with the necessary guidelines but also define all legal aspects, such as
the obligations and the responsibilities of all parties involved: DEWA, Client, Contractor/
Consultant etc.

 Standards for Distributed Renewable Resources Generators

Connected to the Distribution Network
This document defines a common set of requirements for
Renewable Resource Generating Plants connected to DEWA
Distribution Network and establishes a common framework for
grid connection agreements between DEWA and the (RRGP)
Producers.

 Connection Guidelines for Renewable Resources Generators

connected to Medium and Low Voltage Distribution Network
These Guidelines provide information meant for Dubai Residents,
Consultants and Contractors on the essential aspects, which
have to be taken into consideration in order to connect a Solar
PV Plant to the Distribution Network. The Guidelines apply to the
planning, execution, operation and modification of Solar Plants.

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Certification Training Course

SESSION - 1: Introduction
a. DEWA Solar PV Initiative Overview
b. Four Key Stages
c. Solar PV Certification Scheme
d. Skills and Expertise
 Generation /
NOC Design Approval Inspection
Connection Process OVERVIEW Performance Test

By Single step application

Generation /
NOC Design Approval Inspection
Performance Test
Stage Stage Stage
Stage (>100KW)

Application Application Notification Notification

Applicant / Customer

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Certification Training Course

SESSION - 1: Introduction
a. DEWA Solar PV Initiative Overview
b. Four Key Stages
c. Solar PV Certification Scheme
d. Skills and Expertise
 Certification Process for Individuals
PV EXPERT PV EXPERT
(JUNIOR) (SENIOR)

Background Experience
• Education Training
TESTS
• Work Experience Course

Additional
Experience

2 years and at least 3 PV plants in:

Designing or Building or Verification

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Certification for Companies
To become certified, each Consultant / Contractor should have in his
sponsorship a minimum number of Certified Solar PV Experts (Junior &
Senior):

Minimum requirements
Subject
LV plants ≤20 kW All LV plants MV plants

1 (Senior) + 1
Consultant 1 (Junior) 1 (Senior)
(Junior)

1 (Senior) + 1 1 (Senior) + 2
Contractor 1 (Junior)
(Junior) (Junior)

•Hold a renewable solar energy specific trade license issued by the Department of Economic
Development in Dubai :
• For Consultants: Activity code 742171 – Buildings Electrical Engineering Services
Activity Code 731004 - for Renewable Energy Consultancy
• For Contractors: Activity code 4321001– Electrical Fitting Contracting
Activity Code 4322011 - for Solar Energy System Installation

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TRAINING/ EXAMINATION/ CERTIFICATION

• 3 days – online, 4th day Final Examination in batches

• 7 hrs. each day
• Daily training content handouts

• Daily quiz to evaluate knowledge

• Final Examination – 45 minutes, multiple choice questions
• 4 questions on CORE CONTENT – all must be answered correctly, otherwise the
examination will be consider failed.

• The core content question will be marked in the examination.

• Requirements for a PASS: A minimum of ten answers must be right. All 4 core content
questions must be answered correctly.

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Certification Training Course

SESSION - 1: Introduction
a. DEWA Solar PV Initiative Overview
b. Four Key Stages
c. Solar PV Certification Scheme
d. Skills and Expertise
 Professional Skills & Expertise

1. Safety (above all)

• Maintain safe work habits
• Demonstrate safe and proper use of required tools and equipment
• Demonstrate safe practices for personnel protection
• Prove awareness of safety hazards and knowledge how to avoid them
• Understand and apply appropriate codes and standards

2. Site Assessment
• Identify tools and equipment required for conducting site
surveys for PV installations
• Determine suitable location with proper orientation,
sufficient area, adequate solar access
• Determine suitable locations for installing all PV system’s
components
• Illustrate possible layouts and locations for array and
equipment
• Identify and assess any site-specific safety hazards
associated with installation of system
• Obtain and interpret solar radiation and temperature

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 Professional Skills & Expertise

3. Select and size a PV system

• Estimate and/or measure the peak load demand and
average daily energy use for loads
• Determine the design currents and voltages for any
part of a PV system electrical circuit
• Determine the capacity of system conductors, and
select appropriate sizes
• Determine appropriate size, ratings, and locations for
earthing and lightning protection
• Identify array layout, orientation and mounting
method for ease of installation
• Select major PV system’s components
• Estimate annual energy performance of proposed
system

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 Professional Skills & Expertise

4. Installation of the system in the field

• Install PV module array interconnect wiring; implement
measures to disable array during installation
• Label, install, and terminate electrical wiring
• Use appropriate and correctly labeled D.C. junction boxes
and isolation switches
• Verify continuity and measure impedance of earthing
system
• Program, adjust, and/or configure inverters-controls for
desired set points and operating modes
• Utilize drawings, schematics, instructions and
recommended procedures in installing equipment
• Assemble PV modules, panels, and support structures as
specified by design
• Inspect entire installation, identifying and resolving any
deficiencies in materials or workmanship
• Activate system and verify overall system functionality and
performance
• Explain safety issues associated with operation and
maintenance of system

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 Professional Skills & Expertise

5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Analyze the manuals of PV installations, determining actions required for the maintenance
• Design a typical periodical maintenance plan and select the appropriate tools
• Analyze the past production report and – potential fault reports
• Identify typical installation mistakes/failures.
• Inspect entire installation, check mounting systems, ventilation, cable runs and
connections
• Check system mechanical installation for structural integrity and weather sealing
• Check electrical installation for proper wiring practice, polarity, earthing etc.
• Compile and maintain records of system operation, performance, and maintenance

6. Quality management and customer care

• Understand all quality parameters as regards
quality management, efficiency and functional
controls
• Recognize and understand the relevant standards
at national and international level associated to
the system components and processes
• Understand and apply all necessary customer
care activities

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Quality & Standards – a Priority
1. QUALIFIED CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS
DEWA Solar PV Certification
• Enrollment Requirements
• Training developed in line with best practices
• Examination

2. WELL DEFINED AND EASY TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS

• Standards for Distributed Renewable Resources Generators Connected to the
Distribution Network
• Connection Guidelines for Renewable Resources Generators connected to Medium and
Low Voltage Distribution Network

3. HIGHEST QUALITY EQUIPMENT

• DEWA & International Experts have carried out rigorous research and testing in order to
define the necessary standards for all essential Solar PV equipment that is to be used in
Dubai.
• DEWA now offers a registration process for Manufacturers of PV Modules, Inverters and
Protection Interface, in order to ensure that the equipment used meets all required
QUALITY and SAFETY standards.
• The list of eligible products for use is provided on DEWA website and this list will be
regularly updated. 18
After Certification….

 DEWA already performs a screening of Consultants and Contractors wishing to ENROLL

with DEWA. The requirements are assessed in order to ensure qualified and skilled
professionals are engaged.

 Enrolled DEWA Consultants and Contractors with Solar PV Certification will be able to
submit their Applications for the Connection of Solar PV Plants through the DEWA e-
services system.

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How Net meter works?

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Net Metering Example 1: Introduction
Consump- Invoice
Produc-tion
tion

This electricity is produced

and consumed directly at
the premises (self-
consumption)

R
Export
E electricity
Import O
electricity
Y
Y
G G

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Net Metering Example 1: Net Consumer
Applying offset starting from highest slab

Import Export Invoice

Electricity Electricity

R
E
O

Y Y

G G

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Net Metering Example 2: Net Producer – Month 1
Import Export Credit / Invoice
Electricity Electricity Surplus

O
Credit /
Y E Surplus to be
offset against
future
G consumption 0

If the customer is net generator in a month the order of offsetting across the slabs
does not matter

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Net Metering Example 2: Net Producer – Month 2

Import Export Credit / Invoice

Electricity Electricity Surplus

R
E

Y C

G G

• Credits are treated like exports, for resulting

kWh the corresponding slabs are applied.
• Favourable for customer because high-slab
tariffs get shaved off.

Applying offset and credits starting from highest slab

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 Example 3A: Two accounts on same plot, one production plant, overall
net consumer, one billing period
Building 1, Account 1, Meter 1: Building 2, Account 2, Meter 2:
PV plant on roof-top connected to Meter 1 No PV plant on roof-top

Import Export Credit / Invoice Import Export Credit / Invoice

Electricity Electricity Surplus 1 Electricity Electricity Surplus 2

R
R C
O O O
Y E Y Y

G 0 G 0 G

C • Alternative 1: Credit reduces Invoice 2 in the same

month (like in graph)
• Alternative 2: Credit is carried over to next month
and applied only to Meter 1 -> no advantage for
customer to combine two accounts 25
Example 3A: More than two accounts on same plot, one production plant,
one billing period
Building 1, Account 1, Building 2, Account 2, Building 3, Account 3,
Meter 1: PV plant Meter 2: No PV plant, high Meter 3: No PV plant, low
connected to Meter 1 consumption consumption

Import Export Credit Import Credit Invoice Import Credit Invoice

R R C

O O O

Y E Y Y Y
C
G G G G
G
Alt. 1: Account with Alt. 2: Account with
C highest least consumption
consumption first first

Sequence chosen by customer; by account number; credit equally

split over all accounts; credit is applied to sum of all accounts (thus
shaving off the highest slab tariffs); etc. 26
 Design of solar PV systems
Limits to capacity of Renewable Generators
A Producer who wishes to connect one or more Renewable Generators to the Distribution
System shall ensure that the sum of the Maximum Capacity of Renewable Generators
connected by the Producer in a certain Plot does not exceed:
1) The applicable share of the Total Connected Load (TCL) resulting from the application of
the table below

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 Design of solar PV systems
Limits on installation
As per Shams Dubai connection conditions, A Renewable Generator should be
located entirely in the Plot where the Hosting Account is located. Renewable
Generators shall be installed on rooftops, facades, and other existing structures.
Ground mounted installations are not envisaged.

Shams Dubai standard 2.1 General Rules, clause 3 - Arrays with voltages which
exceed the above mentioned value of 1,000 Vdc (but not exceeding 1,500 Vdc)
may be allowed only for ground mounted solutions*, canopies, urban design and
any other solutions that does not involve the installation of PV modules, inverters
or other related equipment on buildings. In any case, all the equipment must
withstand the maximum voltage reached for the system, as calculated at the
minimum outdoor temperature of 0 °C.
* Ground mounted installations are not envisaged

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