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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
The Texas Battery Boom: A Look at the Growth of BESS and How to Get Involved The energy landscape of Texas is changing rapidly. While still a major oil producer, the state is seeing a surge in renewable energy, especially wind and solar. This shift brings challenges, primarily the intermittent nature of these resources. This Financial… Continue reading “The Texas Battery Boom: A Look at the Growth of BESS and How to Get Involved”
Solar & Storage Conferences Happening in 2025 Behind every development in clean energy is a conversation that first sparked it. While virtual meetings and LinkedIn connections absolutely have their place, nothing beats walking the exhibition floor, seeing new technology up close, and having spontaneous conversations over breakfast.… Continue reading “Solar & Storage Conferences Happening in 2025”
1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course: Navigating Transmission Interconnection Queues The renewable energy and utility sectors are transforming rapidly, with unprecedented amounts of new generation seeking to interconnect to the grid. However, interconnection queues have become one of the most significant bottlenecks in renewable project development. To help industry professionals… Continue reading “1 NABCEP CEU – New Free Course: Navigating Transmission Interconnection Queues”
Breaking Down Berkeley Lab’s Annual Utility-Scale Solar Report – Part 1 Berkeley Lab’s annual Utility-Scale Solar Report has become one of the industry’s go-to resources for tracking the evolution of large-scale solar (and storage) deployment across the United States. The 2024 Edition analyzes ground-mounted PV projects above 5 MW ac, offering… Continue reading “Breaking Down Berkeley Lab’s Annual Utility-Scale Solar Report – Part 1”
Inside AC Block Architecture: A Technical Walkthrough of Utility-Scale BESS Design The rapid deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) demands a comprehensive understanding of system architecture, electrical engineering principles, and operational considerations. In this excerpt from the Foundations of BESS course, industry expert Drew Lebowitz examines the critical design… Continue reading “Inside AC Block Architecture: A Technical Walkthrough of Utility-Scale BESS Design”
Grid Operators Get Strategic: How Some Utilities Are Tackling Interconnection Queue Bottlenecks As the U.S. power grid faces mounting pressure to integrate new generation resources, transmission operators are getting creative with solutions to streamline their overwhelmed interconnection queues. Two major grid operators—California ISO (CAISO) and PJM —are leading the charge with innovative… Continue reading “Grid Operators Get Strategic: How Some Utilities Are Tackling Interconnection Queue Bottlenecks”
How Does a Utility-Scale Solar Project Move from Concept to Fully Operational? The development cycle of a utility-scale solar project demands precise orchestration across multiple phases and stakeholders. From initial site acquisition through interconnection studies, Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiations, and ultimately construction, each stage builds upon the last in a carefully… Continue reading “How Does a Utility-Scale Solar Project Move from Concept to Fully Operational?”
Types of Transmission Line Structures and Their Components The United States power grid is made up of more than half a million miles of transmission lines, delivering power to more than 160 million customers, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Understanding the basics of transmission systems is… Continue reading “Types of Transmission Line Structures and Their Components”
Going Outside the Queue | Speeding Up Interconnection of Generation & Storage to Transmission We all know that utility-scale solar and storage is building momentum, yet the process of interconnecting new renewable power sources remains a substantial bottleneck in the clean energy transition. In this quick video, HeatSpring instructor Tim Taylor unpacks recent developments… Continue reading “Going Outside the Queue | Speeding Up Interconnection of Generation & Storage to Transmission”
Working Safely on Energized Equipment – Understanding Restricted Approach, Limited Approach, and Arc Flash Boundaries When it comes to electrical safety, understanding arc flash hazards and how to mitigate their risk is crucial, but all too often misunderstood. Many workers believe that staying outside the arc flash boundary guarantees safety, but this is a dangerous… Continue reading “Working Safely on Energized Equipment – Understanding Restricted Approach, Limited Approach, and Arc Flash Boundaries”