Here’s the Financial Model Chris Lord Uses to Unlock MW Solar + Storage Projects Financial models get solar projects built. Financial models make deals happen. Financial models make owners, developers, EPCs and investors a lot of money. So the people who build financial models are valuable. Many people understand financial models from a high… Continue reading “Here’s the Financial Model Chris Lord Uses to Unlock MW Solar + Storage Projects”
How to get your NABCEP PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Certification The PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Board Certification was created for those who have a demonstrated knowledge and expertise in qualifying prospects, site analysis, performance analysis and financial incentives of PV systems. PVTS Board Certified Professionals can collect technical requirements, analyze… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Certification”
Overcurrent Protection and the 25-Foot Feeder Tap Rule Sean White gave an NEC training at this year’s ASES Convention. Video from that presentation is included in our updated free course, “Introduction to Solar PV Design, Installation and Code“. But there was some content that was too advanced for… Continue reading “Overcurrent Protection and the 25-Foot Feeder Tap Rule”
Learn Solar and Drones Together Ten years ago “solar plus drones” would have sounded like a made up thing from the future. But here we are. Today it’s an in-demand combo of skills that you can use to differentiate your career and your solar business.… Continue reading “Learn Solar and Drones Together”
How to get your NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification The NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Board Certification recognizes the advanced experience and skill of PV system designers. This Board Certification demonstrates your proven ability to configure the mechanical and electrical design components of PV systems. PV EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification”
Is Your Solar Company Built to Handle 100% Growth? What would it take to double the number of solar projects you do next year? Every solar company should be asking this question right now. Because the demand is there. We’ve arrived at an energy inflection point. Solar is the… Continue reading “Is Your Solar Company Built to Handle 100% Growth?”
How to get your NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) Credential The NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic energy systems. The PV Associate Credential is earned by passing an examination based on the… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Associate (PVA) Credential”
How to get your NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification The NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Board Certification is considered the gold standard for PV professionals in the renewable energy industry. PV EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PVIP A total of 58 Advanced PV Training Hours are required to sit for… Continue reading “How to get your NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification”
Filling the Solar Worker Gap with Flexible, Employee-Friendly Training Programs To address climate change, local governments are moving toward electrification, embracing solar energy, heat pumps, energy storage and electric vehicles. But there aren’t enough people to fill the positions needed to transition to electrification. In addition, solar and other renewable… Continue reading “Filling the Solar Worker Gap with Flexible, Employee-Friendly Training Programs”
Solar PV & Climate Action Planning in Canada’s Eastern-Most Province This is a story about rural communities finding creative climate solutions. Watch this video and read below to hear how three solar pv projects came together and how they are part of a broader and more ambitious plan. Fundamental Inc.… Continue reading “Solar PV & Climate Action Planning in Canada’s Eastern-Most Province”
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”
Upgrading Solar in the National Parks and Developing Solar + Storage Projects Christopher LaForge and Chris Brown teach the “Utility Scale Commercial & Industrial Solar and Storage Series” starting next week. I asked them to share what they’ve been up to this summer. Not surprisingly, they’ve been busy training, designing PV systems,… Continue reading “Upgrading Solar in the National Parks and Developing Solar + Storage Projects”
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”
A New On-Ramp Solar Entrepreneurs Kerim Baran and I teach HeatSpring’s Solar Entrepreneurship course. About fifty students have enrolled since we launched in April, and periodically we do live ‘office hours’ with guests. This is a conversation we had with Luis Troccoli and Tim Hettermann… Continue reading “A New On-Ramp Solar Entrepreneurs”
John Siegenthaler’s Latest Air-to-Water Heat Pump Design I caught up with John Siegenthaler this week and asked him what he’s working on. His answer didn’t disappoint. Aside from teaching courses on hydronic system design, biomass heating, and air-to-water heat pumps, here are the five things John is… Continue reading “John Siegenthaler’s Latest Air-to-Water Heat Pump Design”
How Drones Can Speed the Growth of Solar Energy With a drone and software, solar industry members can reduce the time, costs and errors associated with designing solar systems. And, as the industry learns more about the benefits of drones, the technology will help move solar energy forward, says… Continue reading “How Drones Can Speed the Growth of Solar Energy”
Providing Much-Needed Information About the Solar and Storage Industry For HeatSpring instructor Justine Sanchez, the energy storage system explosion at Arizona Public Service in 2019 was an eye opener.As a result of the explosion, nine first responders were hospitalized. “For me, this was a real wake-up call about the… Continue reading “Providing Much-Needed Information About the Solar and Storage Industry”
Learn Financial Modeling to Win Your Next Renewable Energy Job Learning how to build a financial model to develop large renewable energy projects is hard. Details matter. Getting one number wrong can cost millions of dollars. That’s why learning how to develop a financial model is such a valuable skill.… Continue reading “Learn Financial Modeling to Win Your Next Renewable Energy Job”