1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course Announcement: Introduction to Architectural Solar With the ever increasing focus on sustainable, net-zero, and grid-efficient buildings, architectural solar has been and continues to evolve as a key tool within renewable energy integration. But what exactly is architectural solar, and how does it influence the design… Continue reading “1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course Announcement: Introduction to Architectural Solar “
What’s the Difference Between a Product and Performance PV Module Warranty? Manufacturer warranties on solar PV modules instill confidence for homeowners as well as for the companies who install them. These warranties provide assurance regarding the durability and energy output of solar modules, offering protection against defects and performance degradation over… Continue reading “What’s the Difference Between a Product and Performance PV Module Warranty?”
What is the Purpose of a Residential Solar Construction Agreement? Cultivating a thriving residential solar business involves so much more than installing solar equipment—it requires meticulous attention to the legal and logistical framework that underpins each project. At the heart of this framework lies the construction agreement, a cornerstone document… Continue reading “What is the Purpose of a Residential Solar Construction Agreement?”
What are Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)? Homeowners who produce solar energy on their property can generate solar renewable energy certificates (often called SRECs or RECs) based on the amount of clean energy their solar panels generate. These SRECs can then be sold to companies or utilities… Continue reading “What are Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)?”
What is the Purpose of Manufacturer’s Warranties? When prospective solar customers are making financial decisions about their solar equipment, understanding the purpose and coverage of manufacturer warranties is crucial for ensuring peace of mind and long-term reliability. These warranties serve as a promise from manufacturers to stand… Continue reading “What is the Purpose of Manufacturer’s Warranties?”
What is the Residential Clean Energy Credit and IRS Form 5695? If a homeowner is purchasing solar for their home in the United States, undoubtedly, they will want to apply for the Residential Clean Energy Credit. Solar sales professionals need to understand the basics of this tax credit, so that it… Continue reading “What is the Residential Clean Energy Credit and IRS Form 5695?”
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: Customer Contracts & Agreements Residential solar systems come with contracts that span 20-25 years. Solar company staff need to become experts in each of the agreements and contracts that are utilized in the development and execution of residential solar construction projects, so that they… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Customer Contracts & Agreements”
“Microgrid Design & Implementation” course now included with HeatSpring Membership Starting today, for a limited time, Dr. Andrew Skumanich’s “Microgrid Design & Implementation” course is free for HeatSpring Members. Microgrids are the future of energy production and distribution, but very few people understand how to create a successful microgrid. In this… Continue reading ““Microgrid Design & Implementation” course now included with HeatSpring Membership”
What’s Winning Online Solar Sales? When it comes to the online solar buying landscape, the team at EnergySage is well positioned as a thought leader. Founded in 2009, EnergySage was created to educate homeowners about solar and the solar purchasing process. Back in 2012/13, they… Continue reading “What’s Winning Online Solar Sales? “
New Free Course Announcement: K2 Pro Certified Installer Training | Composition Shingle Roofs Are you a residential solar installer looking to elevate your skills and earn credentials to boost your resume? Is your company onboarding new installers and looking to get them exposed to installation fundamentals and the process prior to going onsite?… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: K2 Pro Certified Installer Training | Composition Shingle Roofs”
Tim & John’s “Clean Power Hour” Podcast Why did you decide to start your business? What are you hoping to accomplish this year? What makes you tick? Knowing these things are prerequisites for a positive work relationship, and they’re hard to learn from a website or a… Continue reading “Tim & John’s “Clean Power Hour” Podcast”
Mastering Construction Drawings in Utility-Scale Solar Projects The large scale solar industry is growing at an incredibly rapid rate, and it’s one of the most dynamic and exciting sectors to be a part of right now. However – even with all the growth, the fundamental skills are… Continue reading “Mastering Construction Drawings in Utility-Scale Solar Projects”
2024 Solar & Storage Conferences – Will You Be There? After a few years with no in-person gatherings during the pandemic, solar and storage conferences have been slowly coming back in 2023 and certainly now in full force in 2024. Conferences are great because not only do they support professional… Continue reading “2024 Solar & Storage Conferences – Will You Be There?”
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”
Walking on Solar Modules – Is It Really That Bad? Let’s Take a Look! Don’t scrape the backsheet. Don’t step on the panels. Don’t drop the panels. And don’t scrape up the frames. Aside from safety and how to properly use ratchet straps, those were some of the very first things I was taught… Continue reading “Walking on Solar Modules – Is It Really That Bad? Let’s Take a Look!”
What is a Single-Line Diagram? The single line diagram, or SLD sheet, is an essential component of the electrical drawing set for a utility scale solar power plant. It’s a simplified schematic diagram that illustrates the overall electrical system from the panels all the way… Continue reading “What is a Single-Line Diagram?”
New Course Announcement: Commercial Electric Tariffs: Impacts on Solar Incorporating commercial solar sales into your business can be an advantageous income stream for residential solar businesses looking to diversify their revenue sources. There are many opportunities in this sector as companies, non-profits, and local municipalities look to reduce their… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Commercial Electric Tariffs: Impacts on Solar”
Voltage Control Using Inverter Reactive Power Control This is the fifth of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” In the previous four posts in this series, we discussed what reactive power is and where it comes from, its impact on T&D… Continue reading “Voltage Control Using Inverter Reactive Power Control”