When Electrical Apprenticeship Training Doesn’t Align With the Solar Jobsite What happens when the skills you learn in school don’t match the job you actually get? For many electricians entering the solar industry, this disconnect can be very real and very frustrating. That’s exactly what came up during a conversation… Continue reading “When Electrical Apprenticeship Training Doesn’t Align With the Solar Jobsite”
Seeing Heat: What Can We Learn Using Thermal Imaging on Solar Sites? Thermography has become an essential diagnostic tool in solar PV operations and maintenance, providing technicians with a glimpse into problems often invisible to the naked eye. This powerful inspection method is so effective at revealing critical electrical issues that it’s… Continue reading “Seeing Heat: What Can We Learn Using Thermal Imaging on Solar Sites?”
Understanding Rapid Shutdown on Residential Solar Installations The National Electrical Code defines the minimum requirements for safe PV systems, and if you’ve spent any time in residential or C&I solar, you’re definitely familiar with it. Among these requirements, rapid shutdown stands out as a critical safety feature… Continue reading “Understanding Rapid Shutdown on Residential Solar Installations”
Integration is Key in the Future of Residential Solar At the NABCEP 2025 Conference, SunCast Media host Nico Johnson sat down with industry veteran and HeatSpring instructor Bill Brooks, PE to discuss what’s ahead for residential solar. Bill brings over 30 years of experience in designing, installing, and evaluating… Continue reading “Integration is Key in the Future of Residential Solar “
“Residential Grid-Tied Solar Design” – A New Course to Build Your Design Skills Interested in designing residential solar systems that meet code requirements? Want to master industry design tools that solar professionals use? Curious about how to calculate proper system sizing, wire gauge, and conduit dimensions? HeatSpring’s new, comprehensive “Residential Grid-Tied Solar Design”… Continue reading ““Residential Grid-Tied Solar Design” – A New Course to Build Your Design Skills”
Setting the Standard: Transforming O&M into a Professional Career Path The new SEIA 301 Standard: Solar and Energy Storage Operations and Maintenance Standard – Technician Training represents a significant milestone in creating clear career pathways for both aspiring and established technicians. This consensus-built training framework not only enhances the reliability… Continue reading “Setting the Standard: Transforming O&M into a Professional Career Path”
HeatSpring and Energize US Provide 4-Year Employer-Sponsored Electrical Apprenticeship Training We’re happy to announce a new partnership with Energize US to bring you all of the classroom training you need to run a 4-year electrical apprenticeship program. Energize US is a non-profit workforce organization known for engaging next generation tradespeople… Continue reading “HeatSpring and Energize US Provide 4-Year Employer-Sponsored Electrical Apprenticeship Training”
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your HAZWOPER Training Working with hazardous materials requires specialized knowledge and skills to ensure safety on the job and for the surrounding environment. If you work on jobsites where hazardous materials may be present, HAZWOPER training is likely required for your position. Let’s… Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your HAZWOPER Training”
Let’s Grow Your Electrical Business How are you developing the people in your electrical contracting business? Are you hiring people? Training them? What’s working? What feels hard? A trained, competent electrician never runs out of work. Electricians have cool jobs, make good money, are valued… Continue reading “Let’s Grow Your Electrical Business”
“Blueprint to Leadership” – A New Course for Leaders in the Skilled Trades I’m really excited to announce a new free course from the Energize US team, “Blueprint to Leadership: In Renewable Energy & Life”. Energize US is a dynamic, mission-driven partner bringing positive energy into skilled trades careers. They have a powerful… Continue reading ““Blueprint to Leadership” – A New Course for Leaders in the Skilled Trades”
The Story Behind Creating the New PV + BESS Operations & Maintenance Technician Training Standard In any rapidly growing industry, standardization is crucial to reliability, consistency, and long-term success. For years, operations and maintenance (O&M) practices in the solar and storage industries lacked uniformity, but solar + storage O&M has reached a critical inflection point. … Continue reading “The Story Behind Creating the New PV + BESS Operations & Maintenance Technician Training Standard”
How To Navigate the NFPA 70B | Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance Have you ever flipped through an unfamiliar technical standard and felt a bit lost in all the details? Many of us have been there. These comprehensive standards are absolutely essential for electrical safety and equipment reliability, but let’s be honest… Continue reading “How To Navigate the NFPA 70B | Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance”
New Course: Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training The solar industry has taken a big step forward with the introduction of its first standardized training program for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) technicians. Until now, O&M training has been all over the map – companies were doing their own… Continue reading “New Course: Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training”
The Types of Drawings Used on Utility-Scale Solar Sites On every jobsite, clear communication through construction drawings forms the foundation of successful project execution. Utility-scale solar is no exception. In fact, the sheer scale of these projects, combined with the numerous entities involved, adds significant complexity to the process.… Continue reading “The Types of Drawings Used on Utility-Scale Solar Sites”
Exciting New Partnership: HeatSpring and OSHA Education Center Join Forces to Offer OSHA Training for Clean Energy Professionals We’re pumped about a new partnership between HeatSpring and the OSHA Education Center that brings OSHA training to clean energy professionals. Through this partnership, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training courses are available in English and Spanish on HeatSpring. Why… Continue reading “Exciting New Partnership: HeatSpring and OSHA Education Center Join Forces to Offer OSHA Training for Clean Energy Professionals”
1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course: Utility-Scale Solar Design Overview The utility-scale solar sector experienced explosive growth in 2024, outpacing both commercial and residential installations in yearly capacity additions. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) Solar Market Insight Report 2024 Year in Review, the utility-scale segment installed a… Continue reading “1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course: Utility-Scale Solar Design Overview”
How to Become a “Qualified Person” in Electrical Work If you work in the electrical field, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the term qualified person in safety standards and workplace requirements. But what does this designation actually entail, and how does one earn it? Both NFPA 70B (Standard for Electrical Equipment… Continue reading “How to Become a “Qualified Person” in Electrical Work”
What’s the Difference Between an Inverter That’s Grid-Following Versus Grid- Forming? It feels like a day doesn’t go by without energy storage in the headlines. These systems are experiencing unprecedented adoption across residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. As storage continues to become increasingly critical to the clean energy transition, design professionals… Continue reading “What’s the Difference Between an Inverter That’s Grid-Following Versus Grid- Forming?”
Free Course Announcement: Introduction to Ethics in Solar Sales – 1 NABCEP CEU Are you looking to strengthen you and your team’s solar sales strategy while building lasting customer relationships? We’re excited to announce a free course that addresses one of the most critical aspects of solar sales and the success of our… Continue reading “Free Course Announcement: Introduction to Ethics in Solar Sales – 1 NABCEP CEU”
New Course Announcement: Design Considerations for Energy Storage Systems As grid outages increase nationwide and demand charges squeeze commercial budgets, energy storage expertise has never been more valuable. This skill gap is especially critical now that SEIA has set an ambitious industry target of 700 gigawatt-hours of installed storage… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Design Considerations for Energy Storage Systems”