Design Your Own Off-Grid Solar System: A Step-by-Step Guide from Udemy

Are you interested in generating your power off the grid? This clear and comprehensive course teaches you how an off grid energy systems works, and which design options and considerations you should be aware of.

The video lectures implement the new Person-In-Presentation [PIP] format, whereby you watch both the instructor and the Dynamic Course Presentation at the same time: Boring lectures are a thing of the past.

This course provides you with solid and concise information, presented in a pleasant and enjoyable format: No more procrastination. Your course instructor is Jesse Gorter: A Renewable Energy Engineer with over 10 years of experience in the design and installation of Off Grid Energy Systems.

You will get a full understanding of all the topics related to Off Grid Energy Systems, brought to you in three [3] sections which each have three [3] subtopics: All you need to know in nine [9] chapters.

Generation [Section A]

Solar Panels
Generators
Alternators

Storage [Section B]

Batteries
Charge Controllers
Fundamentals of Electricity

Consumption [Section C]

Inverters
Wiring
Fuses & Breakers

You will learn the relevant material through small ‘chunks’ of video lectures of a few minutes each. After each lecture you have the possibility to test your knowledge through an [optional] multiple choice question.

Join the growing community of individuals who educate themselves properly on how to live off the grid. Take action now. Educate yourself by staring this course, so that you will be able to make well-informed decisions for your system. TIP: Udemy offers a very generous refund policy in case the course content turns out different than expected.

See you soon.

Jesse

Jesse Gorter

Renewable an Sustainable Energy Engineer, Master of Engineering

Mechanical Engineer, Energy Technology, Bachelor of Engineering

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to determine your energy needs and size a solar panel system
Choosing the right battery type (lead-acid, lithium-ion, agm) for off-grid systems
Step-by-step installation guides for rooftop and ground-mounted systems
The vital components in an off grid energy systems
The correct design principles of energy systems
The truth behind inverter generators and what their advantages actually are
The reality of lithium ion batteries versus the conventional lead acid batteries
The actual performance of the different solar chargers and their pro's and con's
The newest inverter technologies available and how they are wired into your system
A clear understanding of the different types of batteries and which option is the best for your system

How a solar panel actually works, and how to get the highest power output
The differences between the different technologies available on the market
The basic principles on how electricity works
The true functioning of alternators and how their performance can be improved
The reasons behind power fluctuations and how to mitigate their harmful effects
A true understanding of fuses & breakers and how they should protect your system
The reasons behind voltage drop and how it really relates to wiring sizes
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How to determine your energy needs and size a solar panel system
Choosing the right battery type (lead-acid, lithium-ion, agm) for off-grid systems
Step-by-step installation guides for rooftop and ground-mounted systems
The vital components in an off grid energy systems
The correct design principles of energy systems
The truth behind inverter generators and what their advantages actually are
The reality of lithium ion batteries versus the conventional lead acid batteries
The actual performance of the different solar chargers and their pro's and con's
The newest inverter technologies available and how they are wired into your system
A clear understanding of the different types of batteries and which option is the best for your system
How a solar panel actually works, and how to get the highest power output
The differences between the different technologies available on the market
The basic principles on how electricity works
The true functioning of alternators and how their performance can be improved
The reasons behind power fluctuations and how to mitigate their harmful effects
A true understanding of fuses & breakers and how they should protect your system
The reasons behind voltage drop and how it really relates to wiring sizes
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Solar Panels

Solar Panels // Photo Voltaic Effect

The Semiconductor Material

Solar Panels // Materials

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores solar panels, generators, alternators, batteries, charge controllers, and inverters, which are essential components for designing and implementing off-grid energy systems

Provides step-by-step installation guides for rooftop and ground-mounted systems, which empowers learners to set up their own off-grid solar solutions

Covers the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power, which are crucial for understanding how off-grid systems function and how to troubleshoot them

Examines the performance and advantages of different solar chargers, including PWM and MPPT, which helps learners make informed decisions when selecting components

Discusses lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, which are two common types of batteries used in off-grid systems, and their respective advantages and disadvantages

Addresses power fluctuations and voltage drop, which are common challenges in off-grid systems, and how to mitigate their harmful effects through proper wiring and protection

Reviews summary

Clear step-by-step off-grid solar guide

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation and a clear, step-by-step guide to designing off-grid solar systems. Students praise the excellent instructor who explains complex topics simply, making the material very accessible, especially for beginners and DIY enthusiasts. The course is structured into easy-to-digest modules covering essential components and design principles. While it offers a strong introduction and practical knowledge for getting started, some students note it serves primarily as a foundational overview and may require additional research for more advanced or specific system designs.

Provides essential knowledge for design.

"I learned all the fundamental concepts needed to size and select components for a basic system."

"It gave me a good understanding of how the different parts of an off-grid system work together."

"This course provided the core knowledge I needed to start my off-grid project."

"I now understand the key design principles and why certain components are chosen."

Excellent for beginners and DIYers.

"This step-by-step guide is exactly what I needed to start planning my own system."

"It's perfect for someone like me who is completely new to off-grid solar."

"The course walks you through the process logically, making it easy to follow along."

"I now feel confident in taking the first steps to design my off-grid setup."

Instructor explains complex topics simply.

"The instructor has a great way of explaining things in a simple manner that is easy to understand."

"He explains complex topics clearly and concisely, making the subject matter accessible."

"I found the explanations on different components and calculations particularly clear."

"The course made understanding electricity basics much easier than I expected."

May need supplementary research.

"While great for basics, I needed to do additional research for optimizing a larger system."

"It's a fantastic introduction, but doesn't go into super advanced topics or specific regulations."

"The course is a good starting point, but you might need other resources for deeper dives."

"I felt it covered the fundamentals well but could have gone deeper on troubleshooting."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Design Your Own Off-Grid Solar System: A Step-by-Step Guide with these activities:

Review Basic Electrical Principles

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental electrical concepts like voltage, current, resistance, and power to better grasp how off-grid solar systems function.

Browse courses on Ohm's Law

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Review online resources explaining Ohm's Law and basic circuit diagrams.
Solve practice problems related to calculating voltage, current, and resistance in simple circuits.

Read 'Independent Energy and Saving Money'

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Broaden your understanding of independent energy solutions and cost savings by reading a book that covers various renewable energy sources.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to solar energy and energy efficiency.
Take notes on key concepts and strategies for saving money on energy.

Read 'Off Grid Solar: A handbook for Photovoltaics with Lead-Acid or Lithium-Ion Batteries'

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Gain a deeper understanding of off-grid solar system design and implementation by studying a comprehensive handbook.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to solar panel selection, battery storage, and system sizing.
Take notes on key concepts and formulas for future reference.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Calculate Voltage Drop in Different Wiring Scenarios

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Improve your ability to calculate voltage drop by working through various wiring scenarios with different wire gauges and lengths.

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Review the formula for calculating voltage drop.
Find online voltage drop calculators.
Practice calculating voltage drop for different wire gauges, lengths, and current levels.

Follow Online Tutorials for Solar Panel Installation

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Enhance your practical skills by following online tutorials that demonstrate the step-by-step process of installing solar panels on rooftops or ground mounts.

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Search for reputable online tutorials on solar panel installation.
Watch the tutorials carefully and take notes on the tools and techniques used.
Consider safety precautions and local regulations before attempting any installation work.

Create a Video Explaining MPPT Charge Controllers

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Solidify your understanding of MPPT charge controllers by creating a short video explaining their operation and advantages.

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Research and gather information on MPPT charge controllers.
Write a script outlining the key concepts to be covered in the video.
Record the video, including visuals and explanations.
Edit the video and add captions or annotations.

Design a Solar System for a Tiny House

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Apply the knowledge gained from the course to design a complete off-grid solar system for a tiny house, including solar panel array, battery bank, charge controller, and inverter.

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Calculate the energy needs of the tiny house based on appliance usage.
Select appropriate solar panels and determine the required array size.
Choose a suitable battery type and calculate the necessary battery bank capacity.
Select a charge controller and inverter that meet the system requirements.
Create a system diagram and bill of materials.

Career center

Learners who complete Design Your Own Off-Grid Solar System: A Step-by-Step Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Solar Panel Installer

A Solar Panel Installer specializes in the setup of solar panel systems. This course offers specific information on solar panel technology, including the photovoltaic effect, semiconductor materials, panel efficiencies, and connections. Such a breadth of knowledge is crucial for a successful Solar Panel Installer. The course also covers the key principles of electricity and the various components of an off-grid solar system, including inverters and charge controllers, which are all crucial for installation and troubleshooting. Through this course, an installer is able to get a holistic understanding of the system. This makes for more accurate and efficient work processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Panel Installer

Field Service Technician

A Field Service Technician provides on-site support and maintenance for energy systems. This course is a great fit, as it teaches the inner workings of off-grid energy systems, covering solar panels, batteries, inverters, and their respective technologies. Through this course, a field service technician gains relevant knowledge about diagnosing and fixing potential issues. The course teaches specific information about each component, troubleshooting techniques, and insights into electrical safety, all of which are important when working with off-grid systems. This course is particularly useful for a Field Service Technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Field Service Technician

Renewable Energy Technician

A Renewable Energy Technician installs and maintains renewable energy systems, such as solar panel arrays and battery storage solutions. This course is a great fit, as it covers the core components of off-grid solar systems, including solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, and inverters. The detailed instruction on the different technologies used in off-grid systems, as well as installation principles, contributes to success in this role. Furthermore, understanding the different battery types, wiring, and system protection through fuses and breakers, are aspects that every renewable energy technician should know. This course is a great starting point.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Technician

Energy Storage Specialist

An Energy Storage Specialist focuses on the design and implementation of battery storage systems which are crucial in off-grid applications. This course is relevant for its detailed instruction in battery technologies, including lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, charge cycles, and battery management. Through this course, an energy storage specialist will gain an understanding of the various aspects of battery management, making for a well-informed professional. The course's approach to the fundamentals of electricity can also help an Energy Storage Specialist to design efficient and reliable storage systems, contributing towards their success in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Storage Specialist

Remote Systems Consultant

A Remote Systems Consultant specializes in designing and implementing off-grid energy solutions for remote locations. This course provides foundational knowledge about the workings of off-grid systems, which are crucial for success in this role. Through the course, a professional learns about the specific technologies used in remote locations, including solar panels, batteries, and inverters. The course also teaches design principles, installation procedures, and maintenance practices. This course is a great fit for anyone who wishes to work as a Remote Systems Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Remote Systems Consultant

Off Grid Systems Designer

An Off Grid Systems Designer plans and creates self-sufficient energy systems for remote locations. This course provides the foundational knowledge to succeed in this role by covering all key elements of off-grid systems such as sizing a solar panel system, designing battery banks, and matching inverters to consumption. The course's material on solar panels, generators, alternators, and their respective technologies helps a designer to make well-informed decisions. Learning about voltage drop, power fluctuations, and other electrical concepts helps the Off Grid Systems Designer to create safe and efficient systems. This course may be useful to anyone interested in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Off Grid Systems Designer

Product Development Engineer

A Product Development Engineer designs and improves products, including those related to renewable energy. This course gives an aspiring engineer an understanding of the specific technologies and components of off-grid systems, including solar panels, batteries, inverters, and charge controllers. Gaining an understanding of each component and their integration into a system is important for designing products in this space. Through this course, an engineer learns about the specific challenges and needs of off-grid systems. This is a solid course for a Product Development Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Development Engineer

Alternative Energy Educator

An Alternative Energy Educator develops and delivers training programs on various forms of renewable energy, including solar. This course provides a comprehensive overview of off-grid solar systems, covering solar panel technologies, battery storage, inverters, and charge controllers, which makes it a solid fit. The course material on design principles, system components, and installation procedures helps a teacher explain such concepts to their students, whether they are professionals or hobbyists. This course's step-by-step approach and detailed explanations are beneficial to educators. This is a good course for an Alternative Energy Educator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Alternative Energy Educator

Electrical Design Engineer

An Electrical Design Engineer creates electrical systems, or components within such systems, for a variety of applications. This course provides knowledge of the fundamental components of electrical systems, focusing on off-grid systems. The course dives deeply into solar panels, batteries, inverters, and their respective technologies. A detailed understanding of these areas helps an engineer understand how to design electrical systems. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on wiring and circuit protection is relevant to an Electrical Design Engineer. This course is a good starting point for this career.

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Renewable Energy Consultant

A Renewable Energy Consultant provides expert advice to clients on the use of renewable energy systems. This course provides a broad-based knowledge of off-grid energy systems, covering solar panels, generators, alternators, batteries, and inverters with an understanding of their respective technologies. It provides a good base for a consultant with its step-by-step approach. This knowledge base helps a professional to better advise clients on system capabilities and components. Through this course, a consultant also learns about energy needs, system design, installation, and performance. Ultimately, this course may be useful for a Renewable Energy Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Consultant

Sustainability Specialist

A Sustainability Specialist promotes environmentally friendly practices, including the adoption of renewable energy solutions. This course provides a solid understanding of the workings of off-grid solar systems. Such understanding is helpful for a Sustainability Specialist, who must promote the use of renewable energy to their clients. The course delves into the design and technology behind these systems, enhancing the specialist's ability to advocate for such solutions. Having an understanding of solar panels, batteries, and other components helps a Sustainability Specialist to provide recommendations to clients. This course may be useful for a Sustainability Specialist.

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Solar Energy Project Manager

A Solar Energy Project Manager oversees the planning and execution of solar energy projects. This course is a great starting point for a project manager, as it provides much relevant technical knowledge, especially about the components that are incorporated into off-grid energy systems. The course covers the practical elements of solar panel, battery, and inverter technology. This knowledge ultimately assists a project manager in better planning, scheduling, and implementing projects. An understanding of design principles, which this course also provides, is important for success in this role. This course may be useful for a Solar Energy Project Manager.

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Electrical Systems Inspector

An Electrical Systems Inspector evaluates electrical systems for safety and compliance with standards. This course helps an aspiring inspector gain very relevant knowledge regarding the design and technologies of off-grid energy systems. These include a detailed understanding of wiring, inverters, fuses, and breakers, all of which are relevant to electrical safety evaluation. The course also covers how these elements work together in a system. The understanding of solar panels, generators and batteries are valuable in this role. This course may be useful for an Electrical Systems Inspector.

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Power Systems Analyst

A Power Systems Analyst evaluates the performance and reliability of power systems. This course is helpful as it provides essential foundational knowledge about off-grid power systems, incorporating the various components like solar panels, batteries, inverters, and their respective technologies. With the lessons on solar panel performance, battery efficiency, and the functionality of charge controllers, a Power Systems Analyst may find this course valuable when optimizing and improving power systems design. The course may also help in analyzing data related to system performance and reliability. This course may be useful for a Power Systems Analyst.

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Energy Efficiency Auditor

An Energy Efficiency Auditor assesses energy usage in buildings and systems, identifying areas for improvement. This course might be helpful for this profession, because it provides a foundation in how off-grid energy systems function, and the various components that are often used in such systems. Understanding solar panel technology, battery storage and electrical systems can aid an auditor in evaluating such systems. This course's lessons on identifying inefficiencies and power fluctuations can be useful when assessing a system. This course may be useful for an Energy Efficiency Auditor.

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Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Design Your Own Off-Grid Solar System: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a comprehensive guide to designing and implementing off-grid solar systems, covering solar panel selection, battery storage, and system sizing. It offers practical advice and real-world examples, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the intricacies of off-grid power generation. The book is particularly useful for understanding the nuances of both lead-acid and lithium-ion battery technologies. It serves as a useful reference tool for the course.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Putting Knowledge to Work

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