A New On-Ramp Solar Entrepreneurs Kerim Baran and I teach HeatSpring’s Solar Entrepreneurship course. About fifty students have enrolled since we launched in April, and periodically we do live ‘office hours’ with guests. This is a conversation we had with Luis Troccoli and Tim Hettermann… Continue reading “A New On-Ramp Solar Entrepreneurs”
John Siegenthaler’s Latest Air-to-Water Heat Pump Design I caught up with John Siegenthaler this week and asked him what he’s working on. His answer didn’t disappoint. Aside from teaching courses on hydronic system design, biomass heating, and air-to-water heat pumps, here are the five things John is… Continue reading “John Siegenthaler’s Latest Air-to-Water Heat Pump Design”
Learn Financial Modeling to Win Your Next Renewable Energy Job Learning how to build a financial model to develop large renewable energy projects is hard. Details matter. Getting one number wrong can cost millions of dollars. That’s why learning how to develop a financial model is such a valuable skill.… Continue reading “Learn Financial Modeling to Win Your Next Renewable Energy Job”
Exciting New Drone Law Changes Thank you to Greg DePrez from Aeon Unmanned for summarizing some of the recent drone law changes that might impact renewable energy companies. In late December, the FAA issued a series of new rules covering Part 107 drone flight. These are… Continue reading “Exciting New Drone Law Changes”
NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems Justine Sanchez and the team at Mayfield Renewables just launched a new course – NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems. It’s the second in a two-course series on Electrical & Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems.… Continue reading “NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems”
What is NEM Paired Storage? “Energy Storage Net Metering”, also known as “NEM Paired Storage”, allows a customer with a behind-the-meter solar + storage system to discharge their battery, exporting stored energy back to the grid and receive a net energy metering credit. NEM Paired… Continue reading “What is NEM Paired Storage?”
Where are the Best Opportunities for Solar + Storage? We’re excited to announce a new free class, developed in partnership with Energy Toolbase: “Optimizing the Economics of C&I Solar + Storage Projects in California“. It’s worth paying attention because the presentation is packed with useful data you won’t find… Continue reading “Where are the Best Opportunities for Solar + Storage?”
This New Free Class Might Win You Your Next Project Tim Taylor just released a new free class: Overview of Electric Distribution Equipment. If you’re a system designer, project developer, installation professional, or O&M specialist, understanding how the grid works will unlock a higher level of creativity and problem solving.… Continue reading “This New Free Class Might Win You Your Next Project”
Ron Theaker’s Solar Hydronic Heating System This month we’re shining a light on solar entrepreneurs who are bringing new solutions to the market. As the industry grows, new businesses will emerge to create jobs and serve new kinds of customers. It’s fun to think about where… Continue reading “Ron Theaker’s Solar Hydronic Heating System”
Solar Installer Spotlight: Nigeria’s Felix Najite Okene The solar industry is so dynamic and interesting right now. There’s so much growth and good news. This month we’re taking time to appreciate some of the individuals and companies that are making things happen. Felix Najite Okene has been… Continue reading “Solar Installer Spotlight: Nigeria’s Felix Najite Okene”
Solar Installer Spotlight: Southern Vermont Solar’s Victoria Roberts What work have you done to move the solar industry forward? Victoria: Our mission is to help our local community make a bold transition off of fossil fuels, create green jobs, and to make renewable energy accessible to all. We… Continue reading “Solar Installer Spotlight: Southern Vermont Solar’s Victoria Roberts”
Solar District Cup Class of 2021 Pitch Championship HeatSpring is a proud partner of the 2021 Solar District Cup. We want to invite you to learn more about this competition and help determine the next Solar District Cup champions. On Monday, April 26, at 2 p.m. ET, join DOE… Continue reading “Solar District Cup Class of 2021 Pitch Championship”
The Duck Curve: One Picture Explains the Rise of Solar + Storage Kerim Baran teaches our new “Solar Entrepreneurship” course. Last week we had our first live, interactive lecture. It was lightly attended, fun, and I learned something really interesting: The Duck Curve. Here’s how Kerim explains The Duck Curve: Net metering… Continue reading “The Duck Curve: One Picture Explains the Rise of Solar + Storage”
Industry Growth Creates Opportunities for Solar Entrepreneurs Ever think about starting a solar business? The solar industry is growing and creating a lot of jobs. Some of those jobs will be at new firms – startups – founded by people like you. Smart people who see a… Continue reading “Industry Growth Creates Opportunities for Solar Entrepreneurs”
Ariel Horowitz Awarded Genius Award for Her Work to De-Risk Solar & Microgrid Growth Please join us in congratulating Ariel Horowitz from MassCEC, winner of our latest Genius Award. Ariel’s job is to look into the future and de-risk future solar and microgrid projects and encourage innovative approaches and partnerships. Her work helps our… Continue reading “Ariel Horowitz Awarded Genius Award for Her Work to De-Risk Solar & Microgrid Growth”
GRID Alternatives’ Heller & Valdez Win Genius Grant for Their Leadership in Solar Job Training Please join us in congratulating Brittany Heller and April Valdez from GRID Alternatives Colorado, winners of our latest Genius Grant Award. Brittany and April don’t talk about solar jobs – they make them happen. HeatSpring Genius Grants are cash payments… Continue reading “GRID Alternatives’ Heller & Valdez Win Genius Grant for Their Leadership in Solar Job Training”
Marc Shackelford-Rowell Awarded Genius Grant for Speeding Up Solar Permits in Philadelphia Please join us in congratulating Marc Shackelford-Rowell, the third Genius Grant award recipient for 2021. Marc identified a problem when he joined the solar industry – the residential permitting process takes too long. So what did Marc do? He helped… Continue reading “Marc Shackelford-Rowell Awarded Genius Grant for Speeding Up Solar Permits in Philadelphia”
Andrew Obok Opok Awarded Genius Grant for Innovative Solar Training Initiative Please join us in congratulating Andrew Obok Opok, our second Genius Grant award recipient for 2021. Andrew is an engineer and an entrepreneur. He is professionalizing the solar pv industry in his native Botswana and we are proud to support… Continue reading “Andrew Obok Opok Awarded Genius Grant for Innovative Solar Training Initiative”
Basic CAD Training – Where Should a New Solar Designer Start? My job is to help growing solar companies manage their training program. It’s the best. But I don’t teach the classes, so I rely on smart people like Sean White to answer technical questions. Here’s a question I get a… Continue reading “Basic CAD Training – Where Should a New Solar Designer Start?”
David J. Goldstein Awarded Genius Grant for Multifamily HVAC Solution Please join us in congratulating David J. Goldstein, the first Genius Grant award recipient for 2021. David is an engineer and an entrepreneur. He has self-funded the development of a new HVAC solution that has potential to make multifamily housing… Continue reading “David J. Goldstein Awarded Genius Grant for Multifamily HVAC Solution”