What’s the Difference Between the NABCEP PV Installation Professional and Installer Specialist Certifications? Navigating the world of NABCEP certifications can be daunting for solar professionals, especially when faced with seemingly similar options. Many in our community have expressed confusion about the various certifications available, with the comparison between the NABCEP PV Installation Professional… Continue reading “What’s the Difference Between the NABCEP PV Installation Professional and Installer Specialist Certifications?”
New Course Announcement: Interconnection of Utility-Scale Solar PV to Transmission It seems like every time news outlets report on new utility-scale solar projects coming online, the megawatt (MW) capacity keeps getting bigger. With an increasing number of high-capacity solar projects in development, many industry professionals are finding themselves in need… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Interconnection of Utility-Scale Solar PV to Transmission”
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your NABCEP PV Design Specialist Certification The NABCEP PV Design Specialist Certification recognizes experienced solar professionals with a track record of designing successfully installed solar PV projects. Prime candidates for the PVDS demonstrate expertise in both electrical and mechanical aspects, creating accurate and safe PV designs.… Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your NABCEP PV Design Specialist Certification”
New Bundle Announcement: Utility-Scale Solar Essentials The solar energy industry continues to grow, and utility-scale solar projects are at the leading edge. In their Market Insight Report, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) notes that the utility-scale segment continues to have record-breaking quarterly installations, with 9.8… Continue reading “New Bundle Announcement: Utility-Scale Solar Essentials”
New Course Announcement: 6-Hour NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training As the electrification of everything continues to proliferate faster everyday, the risk of electrical hazards is also ever increasing. Whether you’re installing solar panels, integrating energy storage systems, upgrading building electrical systems, or installing heat pumps, a solid foundation in… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: 6-Hour NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training”
Utility-Scale Solar PV Fundamentals course is now free for HeatSpring members We need more leadership talent on utility-scale solar PV projects so starting today, for a limited time, Utility-Scale Solar PV Fundamentals is free for HeatSpring members. Membership is super cheap and it’s a great way to develop a learning habit.… Continue reading “Utility-Scale Solar PV Fundamentals course is now free for HeatSpring members”
NEW COURSE BUNDLE ANNOUNCEMENT: NEC 2020 and 2023 Requirements for PV Systems from Mayfield Every year, Ryan Mayfield of Mayfield Renewables teaches his NEC 2020 and 2023 Requirements for PV Systems training as an all-day crash course on the National Electrical Code at the NABCEP Continuing Education Conference. Back in March, over 250 conference… Continue reading “NEW COURSE BUNDLE ANNOUNCEMENT: NEC 2020 and 2023 Requirements for PV Systems from Mayfield”
What is a Culture of Safety and Why Does It Matter? Creating a culture of safety is crucial for any construction team, but what does it really mean to have a “safety culture”? It’s a question that goes beyond PPE and bare minimum safety standards – it strikes at the heart… Continue reading “What is a Culture of Safety and Why Does It Matter?”
What Makes Someone a Qualified Person? Here at HeatSpring, we get a lot of questions that are along the lines of… “what course can I take to make me qualified?” To that we answer, there’s no quick fix or single course that can make you qualified… Continue reading “What Makes Someone a Qualified Person?”
Understanding the 2023 NEC Requirements for Disconnecting Means on Energy Storage Understanding where to place disconnects on solar and storage projects can feel complicated if you’re unfamiliar with the National Electrical Code (NEC). In fact, some inspectors (like Pete Jackson, Chief Electrical Inspector for the City of Bakersfield, mentioned in IREC’s… Continue reading “Understanding the 2023 NEC Requirements for Disconnecting Means on Energy Storage “
New Bundle Announcement: 2023 Electrical & Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems Ryan Mayfield and the Mayfield Renewables team are back on HeatSpring. We are excited to welcome Ryan – engineer, educator, and technical committee member – back to our platform with his latest course bundle – 2023 Electrical & Fire Codes… Continue reading “New Bundle Announcement: 2023 Electrical & Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems”
What are the Types of Manufacturer Warranties? Product Warranties. Performance warranties. Labor and installation support warranties. There’s a lot to compare when evaluating solar components for your projects. When home or business owners choose to invest in a solar energy system, the warranties provided by the manufacturers… Continue reading “What are the Types of Manufacturer Warranties?”
New Free Course Announcement: What is RETScreen Expert? Benchmarking, Feasibility, Performance, & Portfolio We all know that we need a lot more clean energy on the grid to curb climate change; although, it’s typically not easy knowing what exactly to do or where to start when it comes to clean energy project development.… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: What is RETScreen Expert? Benchmarking, Feasibility, Performance, & Portfolio”
1 NABCEP CEU – Become a K2 Pro Certified Installer for Tile Roofs with New Free Course Any residential solar installer in the Southwest and the coastal South can tell you that installing on tile roofs requires finesse and extra care. If your team is looking to enhance their skills and knowledge around solar installation on tile… Continue reading “1 NABCEP CEU – Become a K2 Pro Certified Installer for Tile Roofs with New Free Course”
New Bundle Announcement: Solar Construction Management & Safety Essentials Bundle Solar construction job openings are growing faster than they are getting filled. In Deloitte’s 2024 Renewable Energy Industry Outlook, it is anticipated that there will be 22,972 annual solar construction jobs created over the next five years. At the same,… Continue reading “New Bundle Announcement: Solar Construction Management & Safety Essentials Bundle”
What is Pendulum Distance and Why Does It Matter When Setting Up Fall Protection Equipment? Per OSHA standards (1926.501), solar construction staff installing systems who are exposed to fall distances of 6 or more feet must be protected from falls by using one of the following methods: personal fall arrest systems, guardrail systems, or safety… Continue reading “What is Pendulum Distance and Why Does It Matter When Setting Up Fall Protection Equipment?”
What’s the Difference Between a Product and Performance PV Module Warranty? Manufacturer warranties on solar PV modules instill confidence for homeowners as well as for the companies who install them. These warranties provide assurance regarding the durability and energy output of solar modules, offering protection against defects and performance degradation over… Continue reading “What’s the Difference Between a Product and Performance PV Module Warranty?”
What is the Purpose of a Residential Solar Construction Agreement? Cultivating a thriving residential solar business involves so much more than installing solar equipment—it requires meticulous attention to the legal and logistical framework that underpins each project. At the heart of this framework lies the construction agreement, a cornerstone document… Continue reading “What is the Purpose of a Residential Solar Construction Agreement?”
What is the Interconnection Process? Interconnection is a critical and necessary step in the customer journey when seeking to install a grid-tied solar PV system. This is the process by which the customer is able to get permission from the utility to operate their system… Continue reading “What is the Interconnection Process?”
What is the Purpose of Manufacturer’s Warranties? When prospective solar customers are making financial decisions about their solar equipment, understanding the purpose and coverage of manufacturer warranties is crucial for ensuring peace of mind and long-term reliability. These warranties serve as a promise from manufacturers to stand… Continue reading “What is the Purpose of Manufacturer’s Warranties?”