Rooftop solar PV system design and installation

About the training

Upon the request of the Government of Bhutan’s Department of Renewable Energy (under the Ministry of Economic Affairs), we have developed a two-day training programme for engineers on the designs aspects of rooftop solar PV systems. This training will build technical and procedural knowledge and skills to design, install, and maintain rooftop solar PV systems.

Objectives

This training will enhance and strengthen the institutional capacities of key agencies responsible for the promotion of alternative renewable energy in Bhutan, particularly the design, implementation, and scaling up of on-grid rooftop solar PV systems. More specifically, the training aims to introduce solar PV technologies, allied sub-systems, site characteristics and parameters, design principles and processes, simulation results, financial analysis, contextualization, component standards, and installation safety.

Target participants

Engineers (junior to mid-level): Department of Renewable Energy, Bhutan Power Corporation, and Bhutan Electricity Authority

Faculty: Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (Deothang) and College of Science and Technology (Phuentsholing)

Expected outcomes

The participants will acquire knowledge and techniques on developing the design principles for on-grid rooftop solar PV systems with practical examples on how optimizations and trade-offs can be made to meet the requirements through various site simulations and financial analysis.

Background

In its second Nationally Determined Contributions, the Royal Government of Bhutan committed to remaining carbon-neutral. Consequently, the government has identified several low-emission development strategies covering its key priority sectors. For alternative renewable energy promotion, a priority sector, the government’s short- and medium-term measures (2020–2030) involve a programme to install roof-mounted solar PV systems in 300 rural households. This programme, to be implemented in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will enable access to clean energy and displace fuelwood consumption. Building institutional competency with well-defined roles and responsibilities of policy makers, regulators, and utility engineers will further boost this programme’s effectiveness.

Agenda

Bhutan Standard Time (BTT), UTC +06:00

Primary resource person: Avishek Malla, Energy Specialist, ICIMOD