New Course Announcement: Interconnection of Utility-Scale Solar PV to Transmission It seems like every time news outlets report on new utility-scale solar projects coming online, the megawatt (MW) capacity keeps getting bigger. With an increasing number of high-capacity solar projects in development, many industry professionals are finding themselves in need… Continue reading “New Course Announcement: Interconnection of Utility-Scale Solar PV to Transmission”
“Electric Utility Distribution Equipment” course now free for members Very few solar people really understand the interconnection process from the utility side – so starting today, for a limited time, “Electric Utility Distribution Equipment” is free for HeatSpring members. Tim Taylor teaches the course. He’s published a suite of… Continue reading ““Electric Utility Distribution Equipment” course now free for members”
New Bundle Announcement: Utility-Scale Solar Essentials The solar energy industry continues to grow, and utility-scale solar projects are at the leading edge. In their Market Insight Report, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) notes that the utility-scale segment continues to have record-breaking quarterly installations, with 9.8… Continue reading “New Bundle Announcement: Utility-Scale Solar Essentials”
Utility-Scale Solar PV Fundamentals course is now free for HeatSpring members We need more leadership talent on utility-scale solar PV projects so starting today, for a limited time, Utility-Scale Solar PV Fundamentals is free for HeatSpring members. Membership is super cheap and it’s a great way to develop a learning habit.… Continue reading “Utility-Scale Solar PV Fundamentals course is now free for HeatSpring members”
The Importance of Solar O&M: Ensuring Longevity and Efficiency of Solar Power Plants I’ve now worked in large-scale solar for over ten years, contributing to over 2GW of installations and managing multiple projects exceeding 100MW in capacity. While my career has primarily focused on the development, design, and installation of solar power plants,… Continue reading “The Importance of Solar O&M: Ensuring Longevity and Efficiency of Solar Power Plants”
REAP Grants Can Cover 50% of Eligible Solar Project Costs – So Who’s Eligible? For solar sales professionals, it’s essential to stay informed about the various incentives and programs available to help your customers make the switch to solar energy. One program that is particularly beneficial for farmers and rural small business owners is… Continue reading “REAP Grants Can Cover 50% of Eligible Solar Project Costs – So Who’s Eligible?”
Permitting Requirements To Keep In Mind on Landfill or Brownfield Solar Projects When developing solar projects on landfills or brownfields, it could be easy to assume that the usual environmental considerations don’t apply. After all, these sites are already disturbed, so what’s the harm in adding solar systems? However, as instructor Lucia… Continue reading “Permitting Requirements To Keep In Mind on Landfill or Brownfield Solar Projects”
What are Landfills and Why Are They Great Candidates for Solar Development? Solar on landfills is seeing a major boost in many places across the country. States like Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, are encouraging or incentivizing the repurposing of closed landfills, also known as brownfields, to generate clean, renewable energy… Continue reading “What are Landfills and Why Are They Great Candidates for Solar Development? “
FERC Orders 1920 and 1977 – What’s the Bottom Line? The recent buzz in the electric transmission industry, which is a key part of utility-scale renewables growth, is the May 13th issuing of FERC Order 1920 and FERC Order 1977 . FERC Order 1920 FERC Order 1920, “Building for the… Continue reading “FERC Orders 1920 and 1977 – What’s the Bottom Line?”
Interconnection of Renewables to Electric Transmission: Insights from Industry Expert Tim Taylor Tim Taylor is a HeatSpring instructor who focuses on utility transmission and distribution systems, and the interconnection of renewables to those systems. We recently asked Tim a few questions about two new courses that he has been developing. Tim’s new… Continue reading “Interconnection of Renewables to Electric Transmission: Insights from Industry Expert Tim Taylor”
Understanding Utility Scale Solar Construction Drawings – Free for HeatSpring Members We need more talented leaders for utility-scale solar construction projects – so starting today, for a limited time, “Understanding Utility-Scale Solar Construction Drawings” is free for HeatSpring Members. The course was developed by Andy Nyce. Andy began teaching because he… Continue reading “Understanding Utility Scale Solar Construction Drawings – Free for HeatSpring Members”
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?”
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?”
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”
What Makes Construction Challenging? Working in construction can be very challenging. Why is this? HeatSpring instructor Amy Powell asks her teammates, colleagues, and trade partners to dive deep to get to the bottom of this question. She found that the majority of the challenges… Continue reading “What Makes Construction Challenging?”
Active Power Priority vs. Reactive Power Priority This is the fourth of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” Here’s the last article – “Inverter-Based Resources Reactive Power Capabilities” – in case you need to catch up. In the earlier articles in this series,… Continue reading “Active Power Priority vs. Reactive Power Priority”
Inverter-Based Resources Reactive Power Capabilities This is the third of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” Here’s the last article – “Reactive Power and Transmission & Distribution Operations” – in case you need to catch up. Inverters are a… Continue reading “Inverter-Based Resources Reactive Power Capabilities”
New Free Course Announcement: Construction Communication Methodology Construction communication methodology is a critical, yet rarely discussed, element that shapes the overall outcomes of a construction project and the experiences of those working there. With the countless timely needs that require our focus on construction projects, it can… Continue reading “New Free Course Announcement: Construction Communication Methodology”
Reactive Power and Transmission & Distribution Operations This is the second of five articles in the series “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications.” In Part 1 of this series, we looked at the differences and relationship between real, reactive, and apparent power. We also looked at… Continue reading “Reactive Power and Transmission & Distribution Operations”