The Importance of Commissioning and Testing on Utility Scale Projects Utility scale solar projects are years in the making from inception to completion. The process typically includes land development, interconnection studies, environmental evaluations, securing financing, materials procurement, and construction. The final step before a system is fully operational is commissioning… Continue reading “The Importance of Commissioning and Testing on Utility Scale Projects”
Wes Kennedy’s Solar Shed and the Quest for Net Zero This Fall Wes Kennedy is teaching an incredible course called “Comprehensive Solar + Storage“. Consider taking it if you want to level-up your energy storage knowledge and earn a bunch of NABCEP credits. I asked Wes what kept him busy… Continue reading “Wes Kennedy’s Solar Shed and the Quest for Net Zero”
How Do We Get From 4% to 45%? Today the Biden administration released a plan to increase the amount of solar energy produced from 4% of total generation (where it is today) to 45% by 2050. That represents a lot of growth for the solar industry. What will… Continue reading “How Do We Get From 4% to 45%?”
Why Learn About Electric Utility Distribution Equipment? Hi, my name is Tim Taylor and I have a course called “A Virtual Tour of Electric Utility Distribution Equipment“. I’ve been getting the question: “why do you have this course?”. It’s really to answer a lot of questions that… Continue reading “Why Learn About Electric Utility Distribution Equipment?”
Three Trends in Solar That Can Boost Income for Solar Industry Members With wildfires increasing, along with solar mandates, power shortages and power outages, new trends in solar are emerging. In fact, the top three trends in solar in 2022 will be power purchase agreements (PPA) that include storage, car companies’ embracing… Continue reading “Three Trends in Solar That Can Boost Income for Solar Industry Members”
NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems Justine Sanchez and the team at Mayfield Renewables just launched a new course – NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems. It’s the second in a two-course series on Electrical & Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems.… Continue reading “NFPA 855 and Fire Code Requirements for Energy Storage Systems”
Electric Vehicle Charging Available charging options are a key factor that will drive future sales of electric vehicles. For folks involved in distribution system planning and engineering, there are a number of concerns related to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). These include: Peak… Continue reading “Electric Vehicle Charging”
What is NEM Paired Storage? “Energy Storage Net Metering”, also known as “NEM Paired Storage”, allows a customer with a behind-the-meter solar + storage system to discharge their battery, exporting stored energy back to the grid and receive a net energy metering credit. NEM Paired… Continue reading “What is NEM Paired Storage?”
Where are the Best Opportunities for Solar + Storage? We’re excited to announce a new free class, developed in partnership with Energy Toolbase: “Optimizing the Economics of C&I Solar + Storage Projects in California“. It’s worth paying attention because the presentation is packed with useful data you won’t find… Continue reading “Where are the Best Opportunities for Solar + Storage?”
Electric Distribution Academy on HeatSpring We are pleased that Electric Distribution Academy courses are now offered exclusively on HeatSpring. Utility transmission and distribution systems are a key component in the changes that are taking place in the electricity supply chain. More renewable generation and storage… Continue reading “Electric Distribution Academy on HeatSpring”
This New Free Class Might Win You Your Next Project Tim Taylor just released a new free class: Overview of Electric Distribution Equipment. If you’re a system designer, project developer, installation professional, or O&M specialist, understanding how the grid works will unlock a higher level of creativity and problem solving.… Continue reading “This New Free Class Might Win You Your Next Project”
The Duck Curve: One Picture Explains the Rise of Solar + Storage Kerim Baran teaches our new “Solar Entrepreneurship” course. Last week we had our first live, interactive lecture. It was lightly attended, fun, and I learned something really interesting: The Duck Curve. Here’s how Kerim explains The Duck Curve: Net metering… Continue reading “The Duck Curve: One Picture Explains the Rise of Solar + Storage”
With a Mission of Boosting Solar + Storage, Chris Brown Makes his Mark In the 1990s, when Chris Brown was in high school, concerns about global warming sparked his interest in renewable energy. He knew that climate disasters were in his future. “And I was convinced that it was inevitable that we’d deplete… Continue reading “With a Mission of Boosting Solar + Storage, Chris Brown Makes his Mark”
Ariel Horowitz Awarded Genius Award for Her Work to De-Risk Solar & Microgrid Growth Please join us in congratulating Ariel Horowitz from MassCEC, winner of our latest Genius Award. Ariel’s job is to look into the future and de-risk future solar and microgrid projects and encourage innovative approaches and partnerships. Her work helps our… Continue reading “Ariel Horowitz Awarded Genius Award for Her Work to De-Risk Solar & Microgrid Growth”
Justine Sanchez is Passionate About Moving the Solar Industry Forward Justine Sanchez, lead instructor for “NEC 2017 & 2020 Solar + Storage Requirements“, has installed solar electric systems, served as an editor for Home Power Magazine, worked as a PV technical trainer for Solar Energy International (SEI) and served as… Continue reading “Justine Sanchez is Passionate About Moving the Solar Industry Forward”
New Class! – NEC 2017 & 2020 Solar + Storage Requirements New Course Update: A new course, 10-Hour Energy Storage 2020 NEC Class, taught by Sean White is HeatSpring’s current course that covers energy storage and the NEC. (Updated July 2022) Check out this new short course from Justine Sanchez and… Continue reading “New Class! – NEC 2017 & 2020 Solar + Storage Requirements”
Evaluating the Financial Returns of Energy Storage A number of factors now contribute to changes that allow storage to reap returns for owners and operators, says Wes Kennedy, instructor of HeatSpring’s Comprehensive Solar Plus Storage course. “Storage makes money with demand charge management, time of use arbitrage… Continue reading “Evaluating the Financial Returns of Energy Storage”
What Happened in Texas? February 2021 Power Outages At its highest level, electric power elevates us in so many ways. It helps us build our awareness of local and global events, understand the experiences and perspectives of others, and collaborate with others to enact change. It is a… Continue reading “What Happened in Texas? February 2021 Power Outages”
To Electrify or Not To Electrify? – a new free course Should we be trying to electrify everything? To help answer that question, we’re excited to present, “To Electrify or Not To Electrify?” a new free course taught by Robb Aldrich and Nicole Ceci from Steven Winter Associates. Their presentation is offered… Continue reading “To Electrify or Not To Electrify? – a new free course”
Energy Grid of the Future: A New Free Course Here’s the backstory on “Energy Grid of the Future“, a new free course taught by Fortunat Mueller and offered in partnership with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and ReVision Energy: In this presentation you’ll hear the results of the “Grid… Continue reading “Energy Grid of the Future: A New Free Course”