Solar PV


The U.S. Solar industry achieved another record year in 2014, growing by 34% over 2013 to install nearly 7,000 megawatts (MW) of solar electric capacity. Within the photovoltaic (PV) sector, over 6,200 MW of capacity was installed, led by the residential and utility segments, which grew by 51% and 38%, respectively. The concentrating solar power segment enjoyed its largest year ever with 767 MW of capacity installed. Together, the solar industry istalled 32% of all new electricity generating capacity in the U.S. – second only to natural gas. This growth is expected to continue, with an additional 20,000 MW of solar capacity projected over the next two years.

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The Solar ITC to Take its First Step Down, While Rapid Shutdown Moves Forward

The 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) and the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) will leave their mark on the solar industry in 2019, with the NEC increasing costs temporarily and the ITC lowering incentives.

That’s the word from Ryan Mayfield and Randy Batchelor, instructors of HeatSpring’s Megawatt Design course, which focuses on designing large-scale commercial solar systems, in […]

February 11th, 2019|Categories: Megawatt Design, Solar Business Growth, Solar Design & Installation||
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Businesses are Squeezing More Solar out of Their Property with These Two Trends

More and more, businesses are looking for ways to squeeze more solar out of their available property, and have embraced two trends to do just that, says Ryan Mayfield, co-instructor of HeatSpring’s Megawatt Design course, which focuses on designing large commercial systems, in the 1-5 MW range.

Some businesses are turning to east-west racking of […]

February 7th, 2019|Categories: Megawatt Design, Solar Business Growth, Solar Design & Installation||
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Why Did the Residential Solar-Plus-Storage Market Grow Tenfold Last Year?

In some ways, homeowners’ romantic notions of being energy independent fueled the recent growth in residential solar-plus-storage, says Wes Kennedy, instructor of HeatSpring’s Comprehensive Solar-Plus-Storage course.

The residential market was the fastest-moving market in solar-plus-storage, growing tenfold between 2017 and 2018, says Kennedy, who has been in the solar industry since 1996, employing battery-based solutions.   

“The […]

January 7th, 2019|Categories: Solar Business Growth, Solar Design & Installation, Solar Plus Storage||
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Stacking, Microgrids, and Other Trends Moving the Solar-Plus-Storage Industry

Early adopters of solar-plus-storage have their eye on “stacking” the benefits of storage, which would allow for storage owners to be compensated by utilities or regional transmission organizations for more than one benefit, says Wes Kennedy, instructor of HeatSpring’s Comprehensive Solar-Plus-Storage course.

While it’s not easy right now for storage owners to get compensated for multiple […]

January 7th, 2019|Categories: Solar Business Growth, Solar Design & Installation, Solar Plus Storage||
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3 Lessons I Learned From Collaboration

It was early 2002 and the idea of a solar PPA was in its infancy. I got an email from a guy from BP Solar seeing if I was interested in buying some solar panels. His name was Jigar Shah.

That email and subsequent follow up phone call built upon a friendship and future business relationship […]

October 2nd, 2018|Categories: Certification, NABCEP, Solar, Solar Business Growth, Solar Design & Installation, Solar Finance, Solar Sales & Marketing||
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