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”
Setting the Standard: Transforming O&M into a Professional Career Path The new SEIA 301 Standard: Solar and Energy Storage Operations and Maintenance Standard – Technician Training represents a significant milestone in creating clear career pathways for both aspiring and established technicians. This consensus-built training framework not only enhances the reliability… Continue reading “Setting the Standard: Transforming O&M into a Professional Career Path”
The Story Behind Creating the New PV + BESS Operations & Maintenance Technician Training Standard In any rapidly growing industry, standardization is crucial to reliability, consistency, and long-term success. For years, operations and maintenance (O&M) practices in the solar and storage industries lacked uniformity, but solar + storage O&M has reached a critical inflection point. … Continue reading “The Story Behind Creating the New PV + BESS Operations & Maintenance Technician Training Standard”
How To Navigate the NFPA 70B | Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance Have you ever flipped through an unfamiliar technical standard and felt a bit lost in all the details? Many of us have been there. These comprehensive standards are absolutely essential for electrical safety and equipment reliability, but let’s be honest… Continue reading “How To Navigate the NFPA 70B | Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance”
New Course: Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training The solar industry has taken a big step forward with the introduction of its first standardized training program for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) technicians. Until now, O&M training has been all over the map – companies were doing their own… Continue reading “New Course: Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training”
The Types of Drawings Used on Utility-Scale Solar Sites On every jobsite, clear communication through construction drawings forms the foundation of successful project execution. Utility-scale solar is no exception. In fact, the sheer scale of these projects, combined with the numerous entities involved, adds significant complexity to the process.… Continue reading “The Types of Drawings Used on Utility-Scale Solar Sites”
1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course: Utility-Scale Solar Design Overview The utility-scale solar sector experienced explosive growth in 2024, outpacing both commercial and residential installations in yearly capacity additions. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) Solar Market Insight Report 2024 Year in Review, the utility-scale segment installed a… Continue reading “1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course: Utility-Scale Solar Design Overview”