New Course Alert: 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC®) Changes: PV, ESS, EVs, PCS, and More, The electrical landscape is evolving as clean energy adoption and electrification accelerate – and the 2026 National Electrical Code is adapting right alongside it. Every three years, the National Electrical Code undergoes comprehensive revisions to align with industry practices and… Continue reading “New Course Alert: 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC®) Changes: PV, ESS, EVs, PCS, and More,”
Solar Safety: Risks During Construction Versus Operations The transition from solar construction to operations brings fundamentally different safety challenges that you and your team need to understand. These two video clips from Andy Nyce’s “Introduction to Utility-Scale Solar Operations & Maintenance” course highlight that what keeps workers… Continue reading “Solar Safety: Risks During Construction Versus Operations”
Electricians – HeatSpring and JADE Learning have your CEUs Covered Starting this week, electricians can get their CEUs on HeatSpring through a new partnership with JADE Learning. JADE is the leader in state-approved courses to renew your electrical license, so we worked out a deal to offer them on HeatSpring.… Continue reading “Electricians – HeatSpring and JADE Learning have your CEUs Covered”
What is Insulation Resistance Testing (IRT)? When it comes to solar PV system maintenance and troubleshooting, few skills are as critical as understanding insulation resistance testing. This fundamental diagnostic technique serves as both a preventive measure and a powerful troubleshooting tool, helping technicians identify potential issues… Continue reading “What is Insulation Resistance Testing (IRT)?”
Announcing HeatSpring PRO: Career Insurance for Solar Professionals To HeatSpring’s community of 100,000+ solar professionals, this is for you. The solar industry just changed. We created HeatSpring PRO so you can start offering energy storage, solar service contracts, energy audits, heat pumps, and consultative sales on more creative… Continue reading “Announcing HeatSpring PRO: Career Insurance for Solar Professionals”
What is a PV System DC Ground Fault? Understanding DC ground faults is crucial for anyone working with solar PV systems, whether you’re troubleshooting existing issues or trying to prevent them in the future. This video excerpt comes from Solar Tech Collective’s comprehensive course on “Solar PV Ground… Continue reading “What is a PV System DC Ground Fault?”
New Free Course Announcement: Understanding Concepts of Solar PV Power with Fundamental Calculations Preparing for a solar certification exam? Looking to strengthen your grasp of the fundamental calculations that underpin solar PV system design? We’re excited to announce our latest free course, Understanding Concepts of Solar PV Power with Fundamental Calculations, designed specifically… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: Understanding Concepts of Solar PV Power with Fundamental Calculations”
What is Grounding and Bonding? Grounding and bonding are fundamental safety concepts in solar PV installations that every installer, technician, and system owner should understand. Though these terms are frequently confused or used interchangeably, understanding their distinct roles is crucial for electrical safety. Grounding creates… Continue reading “What is Grounding and Bonding?”
New Course Announcement: Solar PV Ground-Fault Troubleshooting: Theory, Tools, and Field Application Ground faults are one of the most challenging issues solar technicians face. They’re difficult to locate, potentially dangerous, and can bring PV systems to a grinding halt. Yet despite being one of the most common and costly issues in solar… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Solar PV Ground-Fault Troubleshooting: Theory, Tools, and Field Application”
Unique Characteristics of Utility-Scale Solar Projects The utility-scale solar industry continues to demonstrate remarkable momentum, with 9 GWdc of new capacity installed in Q1 2025 alone. While this represents a 7% decline from the previous year, the sector remains a cornerstone of the U.S. clean energy… Continue reading “Unique Characteristics of Utility-Scale Solar Projects”
Get Telehandler Certified and Meet OSHA Requirements with HeatSpring If you work in construction or maintenance and operate telehandlers – the versatile telescopic forklifts also known as boom forks, rough terrain forklifts, or reach forklifts – training is required by law. Here’s everything you need to know about getting… Continue reading “Get Telehandler Certified and Meet OSHA Requirements with HeatSpring”
Inside Substation Transformers Electric power substations serve as the critical connection points that keep our entire power system functioning – linking generation to transmission, connecting different voltage levels from 69 kV all the way up to 765 kV, and providing power to major… Continue reading “Inside Substation Transformers”
Comparing Low Voltage Vs. Medium Voltage Equipment on Solar Sites When solar professionals transition from residential and commercial projects to utility-scale, one of the most obvious differences is in the electrical components and system architecture. While the fundamental principles of solar design remain consistent across project scales, the equipment itself… Continue reading “Comparing Low Voltage Vs. Medium Voltage Equipment 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”
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”
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?”