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”
What is Time-of-Use Billing? For solar sales professionals and businesses exploring solar adoption, understanding commercial electric tariffs is fundamental to making informed decisions. Unlike conventional straight usage billing, time-of-use (TOU) tariffs implement a dynamic pricing model where electricity costs fluctuate based on the time… Continue reading “What is Time-of-Use Billing?”
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”
Why Join Us for PV Associate Training at the 2025 NABCEP CE Conference The booming solar energy industry offers tons opportunities for professionals at every level. Whether you’re just starting your renewable energy career or looking to advance in the field, the NABCEP Associate is a great first step into professional solar credentialing.… Continue reading “Why Join Us for PV Associate Training at the 2025 NABCEP CE Conference”
Why are Homeowners Choosing Heat Pump Water Heaters? The way Americans heat their water is steadily shifting. As homeowners increasingly seek a more energy-efficient lifestyle, heat pump water heaters are emerging as a compelling part of the equation. The numbers tell the story: more than 190,000 heat pump… Continue reading “Why are Homeowners Choosing Heat Pump Water Heaters?”
Your Guide to Getting BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) Certified The Building Performance Institute (BPI) Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) certification represents advanced expertise in home energy assessment. BA-P certified professionals evaluate building systems, conduct energy modeling, and analyze performance data to deliver comprehensive, prioritized recommendations for improving home efficiency and… Continue reading “Your Guide to Getting BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) Certified”
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”
I Can’t Be the Only Former Solar Installer Who Feels This Way, Right? I’ll be honest. A lot of times, I miss working in the field. Working in the field made me feel connected to the natural rhythms of the day in a way that office work could not. Each day, we would… Continue reading “I Can’t Be the Only Former Solar Installer Who Feels This Way, Right?”
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”
Residential Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Course – now free for members Ever install a heat pump water heater? The DOE expects heat pump water heaters to increase from 3% to 61% of the electric water heater market by 2029. We need a lot more qualified installers, so starting today, for a… Continue reading “Residential Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Course – now free for members”
Be More Than a Solar Company Your electric utility is about to do something really unfair in an attempt to make more money. How do I know? Because they always do. So what can solar companies do to prepare for economic shocks like this? This was… Continue reading “Be More Than a Solar Company”
Everything You Need to Know to Get BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Certified Boost your career in home performance with the BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) certification. This early-career credential opens doors while laying the foundation for continued professional advancement. As a certified BA-T, you’ll conduct comprehensive home assessments through precise data collection… Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know to Get BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Certified”
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”
O&M Training for Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters (CHPWHs) We just launched “Commercial Heat Pumpe Water Heater Operations and Maintenance”. If you’ve got one of these systems, O&M training is a must. Commercial heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are generally efficient and reliable, but issues can arise due to… Continue reading “O&M Training for Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters (CHPWHs)”
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”
Sending up the Bat-Signal for Learning Nerds: AI-Powered Knowledge Checks on HeatSpring We just added a new feature to make HeatSpring courses more dynamic: knowledge checks. You’ve seen knowledge checks; they are also known as ‘formative assessments’. After you watch a video, a knowledge check is a super casual mini-quiz. Unlike graded… Continue reading “Sending up the Bat-Signal for Learning Nerds: AI-Powered Knowledge Checks on HeatSpring”
Your Complete Guide to Getting Your BPI Healthy Home Evaluator (HHE) Certification As awareness of indoor environmental health grows, Healthy Home Evaluators are becoming increasingly vital professionals in the building performance industry. These specialists help identify and address hidden health hazards that affect millions of Americans in their homes – from poor… Continue reading “Your Complete Guide to Getting Your BPI Healthy Home Evaluator (HHE) Certification”
The Science Behind Battery Fires: Thermal Runaway Explained What happens when a battery cell reaches its ignition temperature and triggers an unstoppable chain reaction? In this segment from the Foundations of Battery Energy Storage Systems course, instructor Drew Lebowitz explains the phenomenon of thermal runaway in battery systems… Continue reading “The Science Behind Battery Fires: Thermal Runaway Explained”
Who’s Got What Certifications?!? Introducing HeatSpring’s New Certification Tracker We just added a new feature for teams using HeatSpring: now you can track all of your employee certifications on your dashboard. OSHA, FAA, NABCEP, whatever…it’s for any certification you’ve ever had – not limited to things you’ve done through… Continue reading “Who’s Got What Certifications?!? Introducing HeatSpring’s New Certification Tracker”