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Updated: October 9, 2025

Solar Energy Curriculum (EC-2024-0710)

Authors: Drew Schiavone

UMD's Solar Energy Curriculum is an educational program aimed at equipping homeowners, farmers, business owners, and educators with the skills to effectively use solar energy. It covers topics such as system design, market dynamics, financial considerations, and regulatory aspects. Participants can choose from tailored tracks to meet specific goals, whether it's reducing energy costs, promoting sustainability, or educating others. By completing the program, individuals will acquire the knowledge to design, install, and maintain solar PV systems, as well as understand financial incentives and navigate regulatory landscapes, ultimately becoming advocates for sustainable energy solutions. Author: Drew Schiavone, Ph.D.; Title: Solar Energy Curriculum (EC-2024-0710).
Updated: April 15, 2025

Energy 101: Solar PV

Explore opportunities for solar photovoltaics (PV) to reduce electricity use at your home, farm or business.
Updated: June 24, 2024

Working on Solar Design and System Sizing (FS-2023-0655)

Authors: Drew Schiavone

This factsheet will help you estimate the size and number of solar panels needed to meet your electrical demand. Review this factsheet to learn how to assess your electrical loads, identify solar energy levels, and correlate your electrical demand to solar production. Author: Drew Schiavone, Ph.D.; Title: Working on Solar Design and System Sizing (FS-2023-0655)
Updated: January 31, 2024

Working on Solar Wiring and Fusing (EB-2023-0676)

Authors: Drew Schiavone

This publication explores some of the essential considerations for wiring a solar PV system, including important requirements for voltage, ampacity, voltage drop, and circuit length. Safely size wires and overcurrent protection devices for proper system design. Author: Drew Schiavone, Ph.D., Title: "Working on Solar Wiring and Fusing" (EB-2023-0676)
Updated: December 7, 2023

Solar Grounding

This resource is part of the Solar-Clips series which explores various tips and tools for working with solar photovoltaics. An overview is given on the safe and effective grounding of solar electric systems. You will gain an understanding of the basic function and purpose of a grounding system by reviewing this resource.
Updated: November 27, 2023

Solar Wiring

This resource is part of the Solar-Clips series which explores various tips and tools for working with solar photovoltaics. An overview is given on wire sizing and proper integration of over current protection devices, as well as tip for working with these components, including an introduction to various hand tools. By reviewing this resource, you will be able to size and design the wiring and fuse components of your solar electric system.
Updated: September 1, 2023

Solar Inverter

This resource is part of the Solar-Clips series which explores various tips and tools for working with solar photovoltaics. An overview is given on the function and integration of an inverters for solar electric systems. By reviewing this resource, you will be able to select, size, and install an inverter for a solar electric system.
Updated: September 1, 2023

Solar Array

This resource is part of the Solar-Clips series which explores various tips and tools for working with solar photovoltaics. An overview is given on connecting solar panels in series and parallel to form a solar array. By reviewing this resource, you will be able to design and connect solar panels to form a solar array that meets your voltage, current, and power requirements.
Updated: September 1, 2023

Solar Design

This resource is part of the Solar-Clips series which explores various tips and tools for working with solar photovoltaics. An overview is given on how to perform a load assessment of your electrical use, as well as a site assessment of the local solar resource, including a shade analysis. By reviewing this resource, you will be able to size and design a solar electric system for your site to achieve optimal performance.
Updated: September 1, 2023

Solar Module Guide

This resource is part of the Solar-Clips series which explores various tips and tools for working with solar photovoltaics. An overview is given on how to assess solar module output using multimeters, as well as how the tilt, orientation and shading of a solar module effects its output. By reviewing this resource, you will be able to assess the voltage, current, and power of a solar module, as well as, provide proper siting and orientation for solar modules to achieve optimal performance.