What does a solar inverter do in a solar electrical system?

A solar inverter converts the DC electricity produced by solar panels into AC electricity for building loads and the utility grid.

When is a revenue-grade meter required for a solar installation?

It is typically required when a utility, incentive program, or power-purchase agreement needs highly accurate measurement of solar energy production.

Why is a lockout device used when installing a solar breaker in the main service panel?

A lockout device helps prevent accidental energization while electrical work is being completed, improving installer safety.

Free Course Image Solar Electrical Install course

Free online course Solar Electrical Install course

Duration of the online course: 1 hours and 35 minutes

4.7

(3)

Build job-ready solar electrician skills with a free online course on inverters, conduit, schematics and safe wiring—finish fast and earn a certificate.

In this free course, learn about

Identify main electrical components in a PV system and how they interconnect
Explain inverter function (DC to AC) and key inverter features/operation
Read and interpret a solar electrical schematic and circuit flow
Understand array junction box purpose and basic wiring sequence
Define a revenue grade meter and when it is required
Mount a junction box, AC disconnect, and solar inverter—first-step checks and setup
Apply best practices for roof penetrations and conduit placement measurements
Install EMT conduit on roofs and walls; know maximum mount spacing requirements
Install conduit runs between inverter, revenue grade meter, and AC disconnect; why use U-bends
Pull and manage DC conductors from inverter to array; organize/label wiring with tape
Terminate conductors in AC disconnect, revenue grade meter, and main service panel correctly
Use lockout devices for safe solar breaker installs; understand why it prevents failures
Apply labeling best practices and recognize labeling as a common cause of inspection failure

About the free online course

Step into one of the fastest-growing trades by learning how real solar electrical installations are put together, connected, and verified. This free online course is designed for anyone developing professional electrician skills and wanting practical confidence with PV system electrical work. You will focus on how each major component fits into the complete system so you can think like an installer on site, not just memorize terms.

Throughout the training, you will learn to recognize and explain the role of core hardware such as inverters, revenue grade meters, array junction boxes, and AC disconnects, and how they interact within a safe, code-minded electrical layout. You will practice reading solar electrical schematics so you can follow a circuit from the array to the inverter and onward to the point of interconnection. The goal is to help you interpret diagrams accurately and translate them into clean, logical field work.

You will also work through installation workflows that mirror what technicians do on rooftops and exterior walls: mounting equipment, planning conduit paths, making roof penetrations with best practices, setting appropriate spacing for supports, and pulling and organizing conductors for a professional finish. Just as important, the course reinforces careful termination techniques in the AC disconnect, the main service panel, and metering equipment, with a strong emphasis on why each step matters for safety and reliability.

To support real-world readiness, you will learn the purpose of lockout devices, how labeling prevents costly mistakes, and why electrical installs most often fail when details are skipped. By the end, you should be able to explain installation decisions, follow an organized sequence of work, and communicate clearly about what is happening electrically at each point in the system. Complete the activities to validate your understanding and, if available, earn a certificate to showcase your new solar electrical skills.

Course content

Video class: Main Electrical Components in a Solar System 04m
Exercise: What is the primary function of an inverter in a solar power system?
Video class: Reading a Solar Electrical Schematic 08m
Exercise: What is the purpose of the array junction box in the electrical circuit setup?
Video class: Understanding a Solar Inverter 04m
Exercise: What is the primary function of an electrical inverter in a solar power system?

Video class: What is a Revenue Grade Meter 03m
Exercise: When is a revenue grade meter typically required?
Video class: Solar Install Training Mounting A Junction Box 09m
Exercise: What is the first step in mounting the junction box in this tutorial?
Video class: Solar Training - Mounting an AC Disconnect 03m
Exercise: What is the first step in mounting the AC disconnect?

Video class: Mounting a Solar Inverter 03m
Exercise: What is the first step in mounting a solar inverter?
Video class: Best Practices in Creating Roof Penetrations 06m
Exercise: What is the correct distance to back off when measuring for conduit placement?
Video class: Installing Conduit Across the Roof 04m
Exercise: What is the maximum distance allowed between conduit mounts for EMT conduit?

Video class: Solar Training - Installing Conduit Between an Inverter and a Revenue Grade Meter 04m
Exercise: What is the first step in installing conduit as described?
Video class: Solar Training - Installing Conduit Between a Revenue Grade Meter and an AC Disconnect 02m
Exercise: What is the primary purpose of using a U-shaped conduit in the installation process?
Video class: Solar Training - Installing Conduit Down an Exterior Wall 06m
Exercise: Which section of the conduit is inserted into the inverter?

Video class: Solar Training - Installing Conduit Mounts on a Roof 04m
Exercise: What is the maximum span allowed between conduit mounts?
Video class: Solar Training - Pulling DC Wires from Inverter to Solar Array 06m
Exercise: What is the purpose of using tape when organizing DC wires?
Video class: Solar Training - Connecting the Conductors in the AC Disconnect 03m
Exercise: Where should the wires from the main service panel be inserted in an AC disconnect?

Video class: Solar Training - Connect Wires in the Main Service Panel 02m
Exercise: What is the primary reason for using a lockout device during the solar breaker installation process?
Video class: Solar Training - Connect Wires in the Revenue Grade Meter 03m
Exercise: Where should the wires from the inverter be connected inside the revenue grade meter?
Video class: Solar Best Practices in Applying Labels 10m
Exercise: What is one of the most critical reasons for electrical installations to fail?

Video class: Solar Training - Connecting Wires in Array Junction Box 02m
Exercise: What is the first step in wiring the array junction box?

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