Solar Photovoltaic Basics

A Study Guide for the NABCEP Associate Exam

Sean White (Solar Energy Professor and Consultant, USA)

$75.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Routledge
30 July 2025

Energy; Alternative & renewable energy sources & technology; Civil engineering, surveying & building

This book explains the science of photovoltaics (PV) in a way that most people can understand, using the curriculum which reflects the core modules of the NABCEP Associate Exam. Whether or not you are taking the NABCEP Associate Exam, learning the material covered in this book is the best investment you can make in ensuring your place and moving up in the solar industry.

Providing complete coverage of the NABCEP syllabus in easily accessible chapters, this book addresses all of the core objectives required to pass the exam, including the ten main skill sets:

• PV Markets and Applications • Safety Basics • Electricity Basics • Solar Energy Fundamentals • PV Module Fundamentals • System Components • PV System Sizing Principles • PV System Electrical Design • PV System Mechanical Design • Performance Analysis, Maintenance and Troubleshooting.

You will learn the importance of surveying a site and how to carry out a survey, how to use the tools that determine shading and annual production, and the necessity of safety on site. This guide also includes technical math and equations that are suitable and understandable to those without engineering degrees, but are necessary in understanding the principles of solar PV.

This new edition of Sean White’s highly successful study guide has been updated throughout and reflects recent changes in the industry.

By: Sean White (Solar Energy Professor and Consultant USA)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 3rd edition
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm,
Weight: 453g
ISBN: 9781032288529
ISBN 10: 1032288523
Pages: 180
Publication Date: 30 July 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

1. PV markets and applications 2. Safety basics 3. Electricity basics 4. Solar energy fundamentals 5. PV module fundamentals 6. System components (definitions) 7. PV system sizing principles 8. PV system electrical design 9. PV system mechanical design 10. Performance analysis, maintenance and troubleshooting 11. Incentives, resources, permitting and AHJs 12. 70 practice exam questions

Sean White is a Solar and Storage PV professor, trainer, consultant, contractor, and was the IREC Trainer of the year in 2014. Sean teaches the NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) class at the annual NABCEP conference, and travels the world teaching PV classes in person and online. He is based in the USA. You can see what he is up to, including links to his podcast and classes at www.solarSEAN.com.

Reviews for Solar Photovoltaic Basics: A Study Guide for the NABCEP Associate Exam

Praise for the previous edition: ""Sean's books are the industry standard for passing NABCEP exams. I teach NABCEP Associate classes and want my students to pass. Sean's book - Solar Photovoltaic Basics - is the primary text and study guide I utilize to assure my students' success."" Spencer Wright, Solar PV Technical Trainer, Solar PV Inspector ""I took Sean White's Entry Level PV Course and passed the NABCEP Exam right away. He has a great way of explaining things. I recommend his book!"" David Inda, Fleet Manager, Clean Power Finance