I want to share some interesting stats about jobs in utility-scale solar, from IREC’s Annual Solar Job Census, which they’ve just published in July 2023: 65% of all solar jobs are doing installation & project development work, and about half… Continue reading “Leadership in Utility-Scale Solar Construction”
The Importance of Quality Management on Utility Scale Solar Sites
Early in my career, before I switched into Project Management, I had the opportunity to lead the Quality department for a leading US-based EPC company – DEPCOM Power. Prior to this, I’d not seen myself as a Quality guy –… Continue reading “The Importance of Quality Management on Utility Scale Solar Sites”
Shining a Light on Utility-Scale Solar Recycling
Utility-scale solar projects are pivotal in the global transition to renewable energy, and these projects contribute to a predictable and stable renewable energy source. Predictions indicate that utility solar will continue to dominate solar installation projects in the coming years,… Continue reading “Shining a Light on Utility-Scale Solar Recycling”
“Electric Utility Distribution Equipment” now included with HeatSpring Membership
Starting May 31st, for a limited time, Tim Taylor’s “Electric Utility Distribution Equipment” is included with your HeatSpring Membership. Membership gives you access to premium courses that usually cost more, including: There are tons of other benefits, too – you… Continue reading ““Electric Utility Distribution Equipment” now included with HeatSpring Membership”
Power Flow Studies on Utility Distribution
If you work with utility-scale or community solar PV, you may have heard the utility refer to the term “power flow study”, also called “load flow study”, and wonder what that is. Utility distribution feeders are designed and operated at… Continue reading “Power Flow Studies on Utility Distribution”
Celebrating Top Solar Companies: A Conversation with Arevon
The United States had 73.5 GW of utility scale solar capacity as of January 2023, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). If everything continues as planned, it will be the first year that more than half of the U.S.… Continue reading “Celebrating Top Solar Companies: A Conversation with Arevon “
New Course Announcement: Understanding Utility Scale Solar Construction Drawings
Being able to understand and read construction drawings means everyone onsite and at the office can speak the same language. It’s an absolute necessity for teams, especially when working on utility scale solar projects. Get everyone on the same page… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Understanding Utility Scale Solar Construction Drawings”
How Much Solar PV Can a Feeder Host?
As increasing amounts of solar PV connect to electric distribution systems, in the forms of utility-scale solar PV and behind-the-meter solar PV, a critical question that many in the industry have is “How Much Solar PV Can a Feeder Host?” The… Continue reading “How Much Solar PV Can a Feeder Host?”
Impacts of IEEE 1547 to Developers and Engineers Working on Distribution Interconnections
The latest revision of IEEE 1547TM-2018 – IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Interfaces turns five years old this year. Many solar PV developers and engineers that are just entering the industry… Continue reading “Impacts of IEEE 1547 to Developers and Engineers Working on Distribution Interconnections”
Standards for Distributed Energy Resources Interconnecting to Utility Systems
Interconnection standards for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) connecting to utility transmission and distribution systems have evolved and will continue to change in the coming decades. DER includes inverter-based resources (IBR), such as solar PV, battery energy storage, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G),… Continue reading “Standards for Distributed Energy Resources Interconnecting to Utility Systems”
New Course: Understanding IEEE 1547-2018 – The Interconnection Standard for DER on Distribution
HeatSpring is pleased to announce a new course focusing on IEEE 1547-2018, the interconnection standard for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) on utility distribution systems. Understanding IEEE 1547-2018 – The Interconnection Standard for DER on Distribution, will launch in February 2023,… Continue reading “New Course: Understanding IEEE 1547-2018 – The Interconnection Standard for DER on Distribution”
Looking at North Carolina Outages and Distributed Energy Resources
An incident occurred in central North Carolina on the evening of December 3, 2022, about 45 minutes from where I live, in which equipment in two substations was made inoperable by gunfire. The result was approximately 40,000 customers without power. … Continue reading “Looking at North Carolina Outages and Distributed Energy Resources”
Project Managers & Interconnection Specialists Needed to Build 437GW of New Utility-Scale Solar
Wood Mackenzie projects the U.S. utility-scale PV market will add 437 GW between 2022 and 2032. That’s 43,700 MW every year for ten years. It’s a staggering number and no solar company has the people they need to deliver at… Continue reading “Project Managers & Interconnection Specialists Needed to Build 437GW of New Utility-Scale Solar”
New Interconnection Standard for Energy Storage and Distribution – IEEE 1547.9
The development and publishing of interconnection standards and guides to facilitate the large numbers of grid-connected DER (Distributed Energy Resources) to utility systems in the coming years continues, with a new guide focused on energy storage. On August 5 of… Continue reading “New Interconnection Standard for Energy Storage and Distribution – IEEE 1547.9”
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”
New Course – Selling & Developing Commercial-Industrial Solar
More businesses than ever are seeking out solar energy. The reasons and benefits are seemingly endless. The Inflation Reduction Act is bolstering incentives. The rising cost of electricity is making onsite solar a more attractive investment. Consumers are preferring more… Continue reading “New Course – Selling & Developing Commercial-Industrial Solar”
Construction & Project Managers: Demand is High, Supply is Low
Chris Lord helps put together and finance large solar projects. From that vantage point he’s able to see where bottlenecks are in the industry. Recently Chris was telling me how hard it is to find experienced construction and project managers… Continue reading “Construction & Project Managers: Demand is High, Supply is Low”
What are the biggest deal breakers when it comes to large scale solar projects? – Ask an Expert
In the Ask an Expert series, HeatSpring instructors and industry thought leaders answer a question on the minds of the HeatSpring community. We are joined by Dylan Reitenbach, Project Manager at a national solar developer and financier. In this session,… Continue reading “What are the biggest deal breakers when it comes to large scale solar projects? – Ask an Expert”
How Does a Solar Project Dealmaker Spend His Time?
“Solar Project Dealmaker” is the best way to describe Chris Lord. He’s a lawyer, financial modeler, and builder of project teams. Hearing about his work helps you understand how big solar projects happen. Below you’ll hear about a few projects… Continue reading “How Does a Solar Project Dealmaker Spend His Time?”
The Whys of String Sizing
Let’s go over the whys of string sizing. What is it and why do we do it? String Sizing Basics String sizing is critical when you’re putting modules in series. Remember that when you put modules in series, the voltage… Continue reading “The Whys of String Sizing”