What Makes Someone a Qualified Person? Here at HeatSpring, we get a lot of questions that are along the lines of… “what course can I take to make me qualified?” To that we answer, there’s no quick fix or single course that can make you qualified… Continue reading “What Makes Someone a Qualified Person?”
Understanding the 2023 NEC Requirements for Disconnecting Means on Energy Storage Understanding where to place disconnects on solar and storage projects can feel complicated if you’re unfamiliar with the National Electrical Code (NEC). In fact, some inspectors (like Pete Jackson, Chief Electrical Inspector for the City of Bakersfield, mentioned in IREC’s… Continue reading “Understanding the 2023 NEC Requirements for Disconnecting Means on Energy Storage “
Key Elements of a Safety Program Creating a strong safety program is a critical, yet sometimes overlooked, aspect of running a successful solar installation company. It’s not just about meeting bare-minimum regulatory requirements or avoiding accidents; it’s about fostering a work environment where every team member… Continue reading “Key Elements of a Safety Program”
How Do Companies Start a Safety Program? Safety is the cornerstone of any successful construction business, especially in the solar industry where workers are exposed to various hazards – like working at heights and electrical hazards – on a daily basis. If you are a leader at… Continue reading “How Do Companies Start a Safety Program?”
Why Do Companies Need a Safety Program? In the solar industry, safety should never be just a buzzword or a box to check off on a list of requirements. It is a fundamental principle that should be ingrained in the fabric of every company’s culture. It feels… Continue reading “Why Do Companies Need a Safety Program?”
New Bundle Announcement: 2023 Electrical & Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems Ryan Mayfield and the Mayfield Renewables team are back on HeatSpring. We are excited to welcome Ryan – engineer, educator, and technical committee member – back to our platform with his latest course bundle – 2023 Electrical & Fire Codes… Continue reading “New Bundle Announcement: 2023 Electrical & Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems”
New Bundle Announcement: Solar Construction Management & Safety Essentials Bundle Solar construction job openings are growing faster than they are getting filled. In Deloitte’s 2024 Renewable Energy Industry Outlook, it is anticipated that there will be 22,972 annual solar construction jobs created over the next five years. At the same,… Continue reading “New Bundle Announcement: Solar Construction Management & Safety Essentials Bundle”
What is Pendulum Distance and Why Does It Matter When Setting Up Fall Protection Equipment? Per OSHA standards (1926.501), solar construction staff installing systems who are exposed to fall distances of 6 or more feet must be protected from falls by using one of the following methods: personal fall arrest systems, guardrail systems, or safety… Continue reading “What is Pendulum Distance and Why Does It Matter When Setting Up Fall Protection Equipment?”
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?”
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 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”
Troubleshooting a String Inverter Functioning inverters are absolutely key to a successfully operating residential solar system. In the event there’s an issue with the string inverter onsite, the system downtime means the homeowner can’t use any of their own solar energy during that period.… Continue reading “Troubleshooting a String Inverter”
The Ultimate Guide to the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification NABCEP’s PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification is considered the gold standard for solar PV professionals. It’s intended for folks who have been in the industry for a while and find themselves often (if not always) in a decision-making role that… Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification”
New Bundle Announcement: Residential Solar Service Technician Training Package The need for experienced and knowledgeable solar service technicians is growing quickly to keep pace with residential solar deployment. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the residential solar market experienced its 6th consecutive record year in 2022, growing… Continue reading “New Bundle Announcement: Residential Solar Service Technician Training Package”
2023 NEC Article 706.15 – Clarifying ESS Emergency Shutdown In 2022, the National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA) released the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC). Updating the code every 3 years allows for clarification and correction of unintended consequences or gaps in the regulations. Article 706.15 in the 2023 NEC… Continue reading “2023 NEC Article 706.15 – Clarifying ESS Emergency Shutdown”
Many Companies Already Meet the Requirements for NABCEP Company Accreditation – Here’s the Guide on How to Get It Done As the U.S. continues to install more solar than any other new generation source, the role of quality solar installation companies cannot be overstated. With the growing demand, the need for skilled and qualified professionals in the industry has become… Continue reading “Many Companies Already Meet the Requirements for NABCEP Company Accreditation – Here’s the Guide on How to Get It Done”
New Free Webinar + NABCEP CEU: 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) Updates for the Solar Industry Every 3 years, the National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA) publishes the latest National Electrical Code (NEC). Like clockwork for each code cycle, HeatSpring instructors Sean White and Bill Brooks review the code changes, update their book on PV and the… Continue reading “New Free Webinar + NABCEP CEU: 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) Updates for the Solar Industry”
OSHA 10 and Other Safety Courses Now Available with HeatSpring Safety training is often required – and arguably should always be required – to work on construction job sites. It’s also essential to qualify for most NABCEP professional certification exams. The HeatSpring community asks us all the time where to… Continue reading “OSHA 10 and Other Safety Courses Now Available with HeatSpring”
UL 3741: Photovoltaic Hazard Control and the 1000V System This is part 2 of Sean White’s explanation of UL 3741, also known as photovoltaic hazard control and otherwise known as rapid shutdown. The UL 3741 listing came out in 2020 and it takes time for manufacturers to come up… Continue reading “UL 3741: Photovoltaic Hazard Control and the 1000V System”