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”
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”
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?”
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”
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”
The Market is Changing. Entrepreneurial Action Will Win. Solar companies in the US are (rightfully) concerned right now about looming policy changes. I’ve been calling my senators to urge them not to roll back the IRA and eliminate tax credits because businesses will be hurt and jobs eliminated. … Continue reading “The Market is Changing. Entrepreneurial Action Will Win.”
Building Ethical Solar Sales Teams: Why Your Incentive Structure Makes All the Difference In the competitive world of solar sales (and truly many types of sales), there’s a critical tension every company faces: driving results while maintaining ethical standards. We’ve all seen the headlines – from coast to coast, news stories continue to… Continue reading “Building Ethical Solar Sales Teams: Why Your Incentive Structure Makes All the Difference”
Time to Renew Your NABCEP Certification? Here’s the Scoop Keeping your NABCEP certification current showcases your ongoing dedication to professional growth and mastery in the solar energy field. Plus, let’s be real – nobody wants to take that grueling certification exam again if their credentials expire! As your NABCEP… Continue reading “Time to Renew Your NABCEP Certification? Here’s the Scoop”
How to Operationalize Solar O&M Training Solar PV Operations and Maintenance (O&M) providers are often pressed for time. When we’re working on residential, commercial, or even small utility scale systems, technicians usually have a set amount of time in which to get their work done, and… Continue reading “How to Operationalize Solar O&M Training”
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”
When Electrical Contact Becomes Life-Threatening: Understanding Safe Contact Release Methods Electrical accidents happen in an instant, but the response in those critical first moments can mean the difference between life and death – not just for the victim, but for anyone attempting a rescue. Per the NFPA 70E: Standard for… Continue reading “When Electrical Contact Becomes Life-Threatening: Understanding Safe Contact Release Methods”
Fall Protection Training Can Save Lives: Essential Courses for Construction Staff It’s a sobering fact, but falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, fatalities caused by falls from elevation accounted for 421 of the 1,075 construction fatalities recorded in 2023.… Continue reading “Fall Protection Training Can Save Lives: Essential Courses for Construction Staff”
Bridging Theory and Practice: Guided Field Practices Included in PV and BESS O&M Tech 1 Training The Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training includes Guided Field Practices (GFPs) – a practical addition that helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world field work. Here’s Amanda Bybee of the Amicus O&M Cooperative… Continue reading “Bridging Theory and Practice: Guided Field Practices Included in PV and BESS O&M Tech 1 Training”
Get Forklift Certified with HeatSpring and OSHA Education Center Did you know that OSHA mandates that anyone who operates a forklift complete formal training before they can legally operate these powerful industrial vehicles? Through our partnership with OSHA Education Center, HeatSpring now offers a quick, online Forklift Certification Course… Continue reading “Get Forklift Certified with HeatSpring and OSHA Education Center”
When Electrical Apprenticeship Training Doesn’t Align With the Solar Jobsite What happens when the skills you learn in school don’t match the job you actually get? For many electricians entering the solar industry, this disconnect can be very real and very frustrating. That’s exactly what came up during a conversation… Continue reading “When Electrical Apprenticeship Training Doesn’t Align With the Solar Jobsite”
Seeing Heat: What Can We Learn Using Thermal Imaging on Solar Sites? Thermography has become an essential diagnostic tool in solar PV operations and maintenance, providing technicians with a glimpse into problems often invisible to the naked eye. This powerful inspection method is so effective at revealing critical electrical issues that it’s… Continue reading “Seeing Heat: What Can We Learn Using Thermal Imaging 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”