How to get your NABCEP PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Certification The PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Board Certification highlights your expertise in the areas of operations, maintenance and commissioning. It spotlights your ability to apply verification protocols, critically analyze systems, and implement preventive and corrective maintenance procedures for PV… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Certification”
Earn NABCEP Credits, Learn Solar PV Basics for Free “Introduction to Solar PV Design, Installation and Code” is the most popular free course we’ve ever offered. Almost 7,000 people have taken it. Recently we began the ongoing process of updating the course and took the additional step of getting… Continue reading “Earn NABCEP Credits, Learn Solar PV Basics for Free”
How to get your NABCEP PV Installer Specialist (PVIS) Certification The NABCEP PV Installer Specialist (PVIS) Board Certification was designed for those who are highly competent with all aspects of PV installation processes, from installing DC and AC PV system conductors, raceways, system monitoring, control, and communication hardware to developing… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Installer Specialist (PVIS) Certification”
Here’s the Financial Model Chris Lord Uses to Unlock MW Solar + Storage Projects Financial models get solar projects built. Financial models make deals happen. Financial models make owners, developers, EPCs and investors a lot of money. So the people who build financial models are valuable. Many people understand financial models from a high… Continue reading “Here’s the Financial Model Chris Lord Uses to Unlock MW Solar + Storage Projects”
Overcurrent Protection and the 25-Foot Feeder Tap Rule Sean White gave an NEC training at this year’s ASES Convention. Video from that presentation is included in our updated free course, “Introduction to Solar PV Design, Installation and Code“. But there was some content that was too advanced for… Continue reading “Overcurrent Protection and the 25-Foot Feeder Tap Rule”
Learn Solar and Drones Together Ten years ago “solar plus drones” would have sounded like a made up thing from the future. But here we are. Today it’s an in-demand combo of skills that you can use to differentiate your career and your solar business.… Continue reading “Learn Solar and Drones Together”
How to get your NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification The NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Board Certification recognizes the advanced experience and skill of PV system designers. This Board Certification demonstrates your proven ability to configure the mechanical and electrical design components of PV systems. PV EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification”
How to get your NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) Credential The NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic energy systems. The PV Associate Credential is earned by passing an examination based on the… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) Credential”
How to get your NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification The NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Board Certification is considered the gold standard for PV professionals in the renewable energy industry. PV EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PVIP A total of 58 Advanced PV Training Hours are required to sit for… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification”
Filling the Solar Worker Gap with Flexible, Employee-Friendly Training Programs To address climate change, local governments are moving toward electrification, embracing solar energy, heat pumps, energy storage and electric vehicles. But there aren’t enough people to fill the positions needed to transition to electrification. In addition, solar and other renewable… Continue reading “Filling the Solar Worker Gap with Flexible, Employee-Friendly Training Programs”
Wes Kennedy’s Solar Shed and the Quest for Net Zero This Fall Wes Kennedy is teaching an incredible course called “Comprehensive Solar + Storage“. Consider taking it if you want to level-up your energy storage knowledge and earn a bunch of NABCEP credits. I asked Wes what kept him busy… Continue reading “Wes Kennedy’s Solar Shed and the Quest for Net Zero”
Upgrading Solar in the National Parks and Developing Solar + Storage Projects Christopher LaForge and Chris Brown teach the “Utility Scale Commercial & Industrial Solar and Storage Series” starting next week. I asked them to share what they’ve been up to this summer. Not surprisingly, they’ve been busy training, designing PV systems,… Continue reading “Upgrading Solar in the National Parks and Developing Solar + Storage Projects”
How Do We Get From 4% to 45%? Today the Biden administration released a plan to increase the amount of solar energy produced from 4% of total generation (where it is today) to 45% by 2050. That represents a lot of growth for the solar industry. What will… Continue reading “How Do We Get From 4% to 45%?”
Why Learn About Electric Utility Distribution Equipment? Hi, my name is Tim Taylor and I have a course called “A Virtual Tour of Electric Utility Distribution Equipment“. I’ve been getting the question: “why do you have this course?”. It’s really to answer a lot of questions that… Continue reading “Why Learn About Electric Utility Distribution Equipment?”
How Drones Can Speed the Growth of Solar Energy With a drone and software, solar industry members can reduce the time, costs and errors associated with designing solar systems. And, as the industry learns more about the benefits of drones, the technology will help move solar energy forward, says… Continue reading “How Drones Can Speed the Growth of Solar Energy”
Providing Much-Needed Information About the Solar and Storage Industry For HeatSpring instructor Justine Sanchez, the energy storage system explosion at Arizona Public Service in 2019 was an eye opener.As a result of the explosion, nine first responders were hospitalized. “For me, this was a real wake-up call about the… Continue reading “Providing Much-Needed Information About the Solar and Storage Industry”
An Insider’s Guide to the NABCEP Conference Aug 9-12 You can take a beginning PV course live from HeatSpring instructor Sean White, network with solar industry professionals, check out industry members’ exhibits and get your continuing education credits at the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) Continuing… Continue reading “An Insider’s Guide to the NABCEP Conference Aug 9-12”
For Potential Solar Entrepreneurs, These Opportunities Await The U.S. has 1 million untapped solar entrepreneurs, says Kerim Baran, instructor of HeatSpring’s Solar Entrepreneurship course. Right now, the U.S. has about 10,000 active solar installers and 1 million electricians. Many of these electricians aren’t aware that they can… Continue reading “For Potential Solar Entrepreneurs, These Opportunities Await”
NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems Justine Sanchez and the team at Mayfield Renewables just launched a new course – NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems. It’s the second in a two-course series on Electrical & Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems.… Continue reading “NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems”
How Can Fast-Moving Solar Companies Adjust to Growth? It’s no secret the solar industry is growing quickly. In fact, 2020 set records for the industry. The fourth quarter exceeded the quarterly records set in fourth quarter 2016 by 22%, and the year ended with 19.2 GW installed, 43%… Continue reading “How Can Fast-Moving Solar Companies Adjust to Growth?”