The 9 Key Elements of an Electrical Maintenance Program When it comes to electrical safety and reliability on our solar and storage sites, having a well-structured maintenance program is more than just good practice—it’s required by the new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70B: Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.… Continue reading “The 9 Key Elements of an Electrical Maintenance Program”
Understanding Height and Clearance: Critical Design Parameters for Utility-Scale Solar Racking Understanding the intricacies of utility-scale solar racking design is crucial for successful project implementation. One of the most fundamental aspects is the careful consideration of minimum clearance and maximum height parameters. These specifications play a vital role in both fixed-tilt… Continue reading “Understanding Height and Clearance: Critical Design Parameters for Utility-Scale Solar Racking”
Understanding the Organizations Working in Transmission Interconnecting solar and storage projects at the transmission level is far more complex than interconnection at a smaller scale, and the challenge is growing. According to the Department of Energy’s 2024 Transmission Interconnection Roadmap, while the early 2000s saw around… Continue reading “Understanding the Organizations Working in Transmission”
Get Your Certification Questions Answered: Introducing Monthly Live Q&A Sessions Navigating professional certifications in the clean energy space can be challenging. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new monthly Let’s Talk Certifications: Live Q&A meetings – your direct line to expert guidance on all things professional certifications. What to… Continue reading “Get Your Certification Questions Answered: Introducing Monthly Live Q&A Sessions”
Navigating Wetlands and Their Impact on Utility-Scale Solar Design In an era where utility-scale solar development is rapidly expanding across the United States, understanding and protecting wetlands has become increasingly critical for project success. As wetlands now cover less than 6% of the lower 48 states – half of… Continue reading “Navigating Wetlands and Their Impact on Utility-Scale Solar Design”
What is an Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP)? Electrical maintenance programs (EMPs) are critical for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of electrical systems in any facility, including our solar and storage sites. In this quick and informative breakdown, HeatSpring instructor Alex Jahp explores the fundamental requirements of… Continue reading “What is an Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP)?”
The Rise of Bifacial Modules and Their Considerations in Utility-Scale Design Bifacial solar modules have become the de facto choice for utility-scale PV ground mount projects in recent years. Unlike traditional modules, they capture light on both sides, offering production gains of 5-25% through their transparent back sheet design. While this… Continue reading “The Rise of Bifacial Modules and Their Considerations in Utility-Scale Design”
1 Free NABCEP CEU – New Course: An Overview of Microgrid Feasibility Studies The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has set an ambitious target: 700 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of installed battery capacity across all U.S. market segments by 2030. This goal, outlined in SEIA’s Vision for American Energy Storage, would require approximately 10 million… Continue reading “1 Free NABCEP CEU – New Course: An Overview of Microgrid Feasibility Studies “
Why Adopt NFPA 70B: A Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance? Maintaining electrical equipment on our solar and storage sites is about maximizing uptime while keeping maintenance costs down, ultimately optimizing the entire lifecycle of our projects. A well-structured Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP) based on NFPA 70B offers a systematic approach… Continue reading “Why Adopt NFPA 70B: A Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance?”
A Look at a Utility-Scale Solar Site Plan Understanding how to analyze and plan utility-scale solar sites has become increasingly critical, with over 195 GWdc of utility-scale solar projected to be added to the U.S. power grid between 2024-2029 (Source: SEIA Solar Market Insight Report Q4 2024). In… Continue reading “A Look at a Utility-Scale Solar Site Plan”
Solar Job Highlight: Training for Equipment Manufacturer As a part of HeatSpring’s free Solar Career Pathways course, professionals from across the solar industry provide students with an inside look at their careers through bite-sized interviews. Professionals share the details on what their jobs entail, their day-to-day activities,… Continue reading “Solar Job Highlight: Training for Equipment Manufacturer”
The Unsung Heroes of Utility-Scale Solar: Field Engineers I’ll never forget my first job in the large scale solar industry as a Field Engineer in the small town of Hemet, California – supporting the construction of a 1MW fixed tilt system. I’d just stepped onto the site—dust swirling… Continue reading “The Unsung Heroes of Utility-Scale Solar: Field Engineers”
New Course Announcement: NFPA 70B: A New Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance If you work with solar PV or energy storage assets, you’ve probably considered these questions: How do we keep everything running smoothly while managing maintenance costs? When should we perform maintenance? What exactly needs to be checked? How do we… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: NFPA 70B: A New Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance”
Utility-Scale Solar PPA Price Trends - Berkeley Lab Report Analysis Part 3 Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) prices and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) serve as critical indicators of utility-scale solar’s market progression. Drawing from Berkeley Lab’s “Utility-Scale Solar, 2024 Edition” report, HeatSpring instructor Tim Taylor explores the relationship between these metrics, examining… Continue reading “Utility-Scale Solar PPA Price Trends - Berkeley Lab Report Analysis Part 3”
Announcing Comprehensive Utility-Scale Solar Engineering Training The utility-scale solar sector is booming – solar now represents 64% of all new electricity-generating capacity in the US, with the utility-scale segment installing a record 6.6 GWdc in Q3 2024 alone, up 44% from the previous year (Source: SEIA… Continue reading “Announcing Comprehensive Utility-Scale Solar Engineering Training”
Celebrating Top Energy Efficiency Companies: Greenlink Energy Solutions According to the Department of Energy, buildings account for approximately 40% of all US energy consumption, yet many property owners struggle to navigate the complex landscape of energy efficiency improvements. Greenlink Energy Solutions is working to change that by providing… Continue reading “Celebrating Top Energy Efficiency Companies: Greenlink Energy Solutions”
Utility-Scale Solar CapEx Trends – Berkeley Lab Report Analysis Part 2 As utility-scale solar reshapes the energy landscape, understanding its evolving costs remains crucial for industry decision-makers. HeatSpring instructor Tim Taylor examines Berkeley Lab’s latest “Utility-Scale Solar, 2024 Edition” report, uncovering notable trends in installed CapEx – including some findings that… Continue reading “Utility-Scale Solar CapEx Trends – Berkeley Lab Report Analysis Part 2”
What is Time-of-Use Billing? For solar sales professionals and businesses exploring solar adoption, understanding commercial electric tariffs is fundamental to making informed decisions. Unlike conventional straight usage billing, time-of-use (TOU) tariffs implement a dynamic pricing model where electricity costs fluctuate based on the time… Continue reading “What is Time-of-Use Billing?”
Introduction to Utility-Scale Solar O&M – Now free for members We keep installing more and more utility-scale solar. So the need for utility-scale solar operations & maintenance will continue to grow. There’s a shortage of experienced O&M folks who can keep these systems performing, so starting today, for a limited… Continue reading “Introduction to Utility-Scale Solar O&M – Now free for members”
Why Join Us for PV Associate Training at the 2025 NABCEP CE Conference The booming solar energy industry offers tons opportunities for professionals at every level. Whether you’re just starting your renewable energy career or looking to advance in the field, the NABCEP Associate is a great first step into professional solar credentialing.… Continue reading “Why Join Us for PV Associate Training at the 2025 NABCEP CE Conference”