June 28, 2023, 1–2 p.m. ET

FEMP IACET: 0.2 CEU

Level: Intermediate

The ability to meter power production from any solar photovoltaic (PV) system is an essential operations and maintenance function. In order to gain the full usable life from any solar PV system, power metering must be in place to allow agency managers to monitor performance and safety issues.

For solar PV systems located on remote federal sites, the need to monitor these systems is even more important yet there are often challenges in establishing a telecommunications (network) connection to the power meters.

This seminar focuses on options to establish a network connection on solar PV system located on remote federal sites.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to:

  • Describe how solar PV systems are metered and what minimum information is important to collect.
  • Identify why metering is critical to properly and safely maintaining any solar PV system, especially for those located on remote federal sites.
  • Identify what telecommunications options might be available for a given remote federal site.
  • Describe steps to implement the procurement and installation of a network to connect power meters installed on a remote site solar PV system.
  • Identify when an independent telecommunications consultant might be useful and how to find one.

Instructors

Gerald Robinson is an energy manager with over 25 years of experience initiating and completing a broad range of energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy system initiatives.

Gerald has an extensive track record of innovative yet practical problem solving in both the private and public sectors. Gerald's management experience spans a wide variety of organizations including universities, municipalities, large corporations, non-governmental organizations, and federal agencies.

He has gained extensive knowledge of all phases of project development and implementation including, legal and regulatory, engineering, project finance, audits, system commissioning, specifications writing, construction management and commissioning.

Gerald is an ardent customer advocate able to work with a wide variety of stakeholders. He acts in the role of agency technical advocate drawing upon his background not only as an energy manager but also as a plant manager while at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) where he led the university through many multi-million-dollar utility infrastructure modernization and planning projects.

About FEMP Training

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides live and on-demand training to foster and maintain a high-performance workforce that constructs, operates, and maintains energy-efficient and cost-effective federal facilities. Choose from over 120 free courses spanning topics like project financing, facility and fleet optimization, fleet management, resilience, sustainable product procurement, and more.

FEMP is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and awards IACET continuing education units (CEUs) upon the successful completion of select courses. FEMP training is provided through the National Institute of Building Sciences’ Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) learning management system.