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?”
New Course Announcement: Solar Construction Safety According to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Solar Jobs Census, as of December 2022, there were over 263,000 solar workers in the United States. Across the solar industry, 34% of workers were in installation or repair, which equates to… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Solar Construction Safety”
The Ultimate Guide to NABCEP’s New Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Certification The NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Board Certification was created for experienced energy storage professionals who have demonstrated knowledge in energy storage system development, design, installation, commissioning and decommissioning, and operation & maintenance (O&M). Successful ESIP candidates work in… Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to NABCEP’s New Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Certification”
New Free Course Announcement: K2 Pro Certified Installer Training | Composition Shingle Roofs Are you a residential solar installer looking to elevate your skills and earn credentials to boost your resume? Is your company onboarding new installers and looking to get them exposed to installation fundamentals and the process prior to going onsite?… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: K2 Pro Certified Installer Training | Composition Shingle Roofs”
Mastering Construction Drawings in Utility-Scale Solar Projects The large scale solar industry is growing at an incredibly rapid rate, and it’s one of the most dynamic and exciting sectors to be a part of right now. However – even with all the growth, the fundamental skills are… Continue reading “Mastering Construction Drawings in Utility-Scale Solar Projects”
New Course Announcement: 30-Hour 2023 NEC PV, Energy Storage, Building and Fire Codes Sean White and Bill Brooks are back with the new 30-Hour 2023 NEC PV, Energy Storage, Building and Fire Codes training. This course is full of all the latest insights, interpretations and comparisons of the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC).… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: 30-Hour 2023 NEC PV, Energy Storage, Building and Fire Codes”
Walking on Solar Modules – Is It Really That Bad? Let’s Take a Look! Don’t scrape the backsheet. Don’t step on the panels. Don’t drop the panels. And don’t scrape up the frames. Aside from safety and how to properly use ratchet straps, those were some of the very first things I was taught… Continue reading “Walking on Solar Modules – Is It Really That Bad? Let’s Take a Look!”
What is a Single-Line Diagram? The single line diagram, or SLD sheet, is an essential component of the electrical drawing set for a utility scale solar power plant. It’s a simplified schematic diagram that illustrates the overall electrical system from the panels all the way… Continue reading “What is a Single-Line Diagram?”
New Course Announcement: Commercial Electric Tariffs: Impacts on Solar Incorporating commercial solar sales into your business can be an advantageous income stream for residential solar businesses looking to diversify their revenue sources. There are many opportunities in this sector as companies, non-profits, and local municipalities look to reduce their… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Commercial Electric Tariffs: Impacts on Solar”
Voltage Control Using Inverter Reactive Power Control This is the fifth of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” In the previous four posts in this series, we discussed what reactive power is and where it comes from, its impact on T&D… Continue reading “Voltage Control Using Inverter Reactive Power Control”
What Makes Construction Challenging? Working in construction can be very challenging. Why is this? HeatSpring instructor Amy Powell asks her teammates, colleagues, and trade partners to dive deep to get to the bottom of this question. She found that the majority of the challenges… Continue reading “What Makes Construction Challenging?”
Active Power Priority vs. Reactive Power Priority This is the fourth of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” Here’s the last article – “Inverter-Based Resources Reactive Power Capabilities” – in case you need to catch up. In the earlier articles in this series,… Continue reading “Active Power Priority vs. Reactive Power Priority”
Inverter-Based Resources Reactive Power Capabilities This is the third of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” Here’s the last article – “Reactive Power and Transmission & Distribution Operations” – in case you need to catch up. Inverters are a… Continue reading “Inverter-Based Resources Reactive Power Capabilities”
New Free Course Announcement: Construction Communication Methodology Construction communication methodology is a critical, yet rarely discussed, element that shapes the overall outcomes of a construction project and the experiences of those working there. With the countless timely needs that require our focus on construction projects, it can… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: Construction Communication Methodology”
Reactive Power and Transmission & Distribution Operations This is the second of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the differences and relationship between real, reactive, and apparent power. We also looked at… Continue reading “Reactive Power and Transmission & Distribution Operations”
What Are Reactive Power and VArs? This is the first of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” Right after I started my first job out of college, I found myself presenting at a meeting and talking about reactive power and… Continue reading “What Are Reactive Power and VArs?”
The Most Important Factors When Specifying a Transformer Going from designing residential solar systems to commercial and industrial (C&I) solar systems requires new knowledge in many areas. One area in particular is equipment selection. When megawatt-scale solar systems are designed and put into operation, medium voltage electrical equipment… Continue reading “The Most Important Factors When Specifying a Transformer”
Quick Trick to Find the Roof Slope Using Rise Over Run In residential solar, knowing the roof pitch is an essential part of preparing for any solar design and installation. The roof pitch can affect a system’s energy production. Sometimes, steep roofs include a cost adder because it is more difficult… Continue reading “Quick Trick to Find the Roof Slope Using Rise Over Run”