Take the guess work out of cable purchasing with Greenwood Academy's powerful automation blueprint.
This course shows you how to build a fully-functional Excel engine that automates string sizing, cable selection and voltage-drop compliance to AS/NZS 3008 & 5033.
RUN TIME: 60 mins
CPD POINTS: 20
CPD COURSE CODE: CPD381
✔ Transform string and voltage-drop design into a repeatable workflow.
✔ Built from 10+ years of Greenwood’s real-world project data.
✔ Cuts design time by giving engineers an automated calculation tool.
✔ Empowers PM's with better oversight for easier client reporting.
✔ Balances compliance, performance and costs automations.
✔ Delivers a professional, scalable process that lifts design quality — even under tight deadlines.
This course goes beyond textbook design and into the realities of delivering commercial solar at scale. You’ll gain insights shaped by years of navigating site constraints, installer feedback and ever-changing standards.
It’s not just about getting calculations right; it’s about understanding why they matter, how to spot issues early, and how to design with real-world variables in mind.
By bridging design theory with lived project experience, this course empowers you to make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes and deliver systems that perform.
Understanding inverter specifications is fundamental for matching system design to real-world hardware.
This section shows how to collect and format critical data like MPPT count, max current, and voltage ratings.
Solid data here ensures your design is both safe and efficient, avoiding costly oversights later.
Accurate panel specs underpin all string and voltage calculations.
You’ll learn to build a structured database including brand, model, temperature coefficient, and record low temperature.
This helps calculate realistic VoC Max and design strings that remain compliant across temperature swings.
This is where design becomes reality: turning specs into usable calculations.
You’ll apply string counts, voltage drops, cable sizes, and tray assignments, seeing the impact of each choice live.
It transforms raw data into actionable design outputs—critical for engineers and designers under pressure.
Learn to organise cables into trays, calculate run lengths, and decide between parallel or single runs.
Proper tray planning prevents overcrowding, manages heat, and keeps installation practical.
This step balances compliance, installation cost, and real-world site layout.
Brings everything together by summing watts, total cable lengths by size, and highlighting highest voltage drops.
It helps project managers quickly see system health and where issues might arise.
It’s your final validation before drawings are issued.
Shows how to actually apply the spreadsheet on new projects: selecting inverters, panels, strings, and runs.
This turns knowledge into a repeatable workflow your team can use daily.
It’s the bridge from design theory to delivering real, buildable commercial solar systems.
Principal Engineer (MIEAust) | Arigo Consulting
"Greenwood Academy’s courses cater from entry level to high end engineering. 10 Years of experience in an ever growing industry is captured perfectly in relevant course content."
North Electrical
"I've been a Sparky for 15 years with no major focus on solar or batteries. Doing the courses has given me huge confidence to price up jobs and we are winning more work as a result."
DRL Electrical
"Straight to the point training. Relatable course content that is genuine. Learning a lot and I'm only half way through the list."