How Companies Launch an O&M Department (and Why Your Accounting Matters More Than You Think) There’s a predictable moment in virtually every growing solar company’s trajectory – the day you realize that pulling installers off job sites to handle service calls is costing you more than you thought. Most solar businesses don’t strategically plan their… Continue reading “How Companies Launch an O&M Department (and Why Your Accounting Matters More Than You Think)”
The Hidden ROI of Solar Service Work Many solar companies only think about operations and maintenance (O&M) in simple terms: what does it cost to roll a truck for a service call, and what revenue does that call generate? But this narrow accounting view can miss the… Continue reading “The Hidden ROI of Solar Service Work”
Is 2026 the Year You Get Your NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification? Ready to level up your solar career in 2026? There’s never been a better time to pursue your NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification. If you don’t yet have all your required installation experience, NABCEP’s new Board Eligible Status program… Continue reading “Is 2026 the Year You Get Your NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification?”
Taking a Look at Ground-fault Path Scenarios: Positive Ground Fault on a Transformer-Based Inverter When it comes to solar PV systems, understanding ground fault scenarios is crucial for both safety and proper system operation. This video excerpt from our comprehensive “Solar PV Ground-fault Troubleshooting: Theory, Tools, and Field Application” course demonstrates why mastering the… Continue reading “Taking a Look at Ground-fault Path Scenarios: Positive Ground Fault on a Transformer-Based Inverter”
Prep for Two Industry Credentials with HeatSpring PRO If you’re a solar professional looking to future-proof your career, there’s never been a better time to expand your skillset. The residential solar market is evolving quickly, and the professionals who thrive will be those who can offer more than… Continue reading “Prep for Two Industry Credentials with HeatSpring PRO”
Diversify into Solar Service with HeatSpring’s Solar Service PRO Badge Millions of solar systems are already installed across the US. These systems will operate for 25+ years, and every single one will need maintenance, troubleshooting, and occasional repairs. Yet many solar companies have historically focused exclusively on new installations while… Continue reading “Diversify into Solar Service with HeatSpring’s Solar Service PRO Badge”
Here’s How the New HeatSpring PRO Works [Video] We recently launched HeatSpring PRO, a new subscription service for solar professionals navigating an evolving industry. Solar professionals are being asked to do more than ever – energy storage, service and maintenance, building electrification, and consultative sales. HeatSpring PRO gives… Continue reading “Here’s How the New HeatSpring PRO Works [Video]”
Inverter Topologies and DC System Grounding When it comes to troubleshooting ground faults in solar systems, understanding inverter topologies is absolutely essential for both safety and efficiency. These fundamental topology differences don’t only affect how power flows through your system – they completely change how ground… Continue reading “Inverter Topologies and DC System Grounding”
New Free Course Announcement: Introduction to Software for Battery Systems While utility-scale solar and battery systems are transforming our energy infrastructure, finding comprehensive, accessible education on the software that powers these systems can be challenging. Most available training focuses on hardware components or high-level energy concepts, but there are limited… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: Introduction to Software for Battery Systems”
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”
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?”
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: Identifying Issues on PV Systems Using Thermal Imagery Solar systems of all scales have mushroomed in recent years. As any industry professional can tell you, this growth brings challenges. Chief among them is ensuring these systems operate safely while maintaining peak performance. Visual inspections only catch the most… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Identifying Issues on PV Systems Using Thermal Imagery”
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”
Understanding NFPA 70B Equipment Condition Categories: The Foundation of Effective Maintenance One of the most critical aspects of implementing NFPA 70B is properly assessing and categorizing your electrical equipment. The standard requires a comprehensive evaluation that examines multiple factors to determine maintenance frequency and protect both safety and system reliability. The… Continue reading “Understanding NFPA 70B Equipment Condition Categories: The Foundation of Effective Maintenance”
How Will ANSI/SEIA 301-2025 Standard Be Implemented and What’s the Best Case Scenario in 10 Years? The approval of ANSI/SEIA 301-2025, the Solar and Energy Storage Operations and Maintenance Technician Training American National Standard, marks a big moment for the solar and storage industry. This new standard establishes more than training guidelines – it creates the… Continue reading “How Will ANSI/SEIA 301-2025 Standard Be Implemented and What’s the Best Case Scenario in 10 Years?”
Identifying Issues On Installed PV Systems: A Thermal Imaging Guide for Solar Professionals Originally adapted from a technical paper titled “Identifying Issues on Installed Photovoltaic Systems Using Thermal Imagery” with permission from Infrared Training Center As solar professionals, regular maintenance is crucial for keeping photovoltaic systems operating at peak performance. But how do… Continue reading “Identifying Issues On Installed PV Systems: A Thermal Imaging Guide for Solar Professionals”