Solar PV Storm and AC vs. DC Safety Considerations

On the Solar PV Installer Boot Camp Training + NABCEP Entry Level Exam Prep discussion board…
Student 1: Fred, what is the standard for lightning protection systems? The book touches this topic briefly. Is it the norm to have lightning protection? Do you install lightning protection on systems you install? There are many homes in my area in […]

HeatSpring Solar Alumnae: From Courses to Consultants & CEOs!

This Solar Women Summer Series interview features two HeatSpring Solar course alumnae, Karma Edwards and Shelley Cohen.
Karma Edwards (left), MBA, LEED AP is an independent consultant for Energy Engineering and Business Development. Karma completed our Solar PV Installer Boot Camp Training.

Shelley Cohen (right) is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alpha Solar Group. Shelley completed our Solar Executive […]

Solar Women Summer Series: Commercial Project Design and Engineering

Shannon Ware is a Commercial Project Design Engineer and NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional at Microgrid Energy, LLC. She is also Certified in Shade Analysis, is a DOE Home Energy Score Qualified Assessor and has completed Energy Technician Training in addition to her professional experience. Ware is owner of Photergy Energy Services in St. Louis and has […]

[Video] How to Select Solar Hot Water Components and System Types

In this video, author and ISPQ Certified Master Trainer Bob Ramlow provides a detailed outline of common components found in solar thermal systems, and the four most common types of systems.

16 Questions Every Profitable Solar Startup Should Be Able to Answer

We recently installed a chat feature on HeatSpring so that we could better assist visitors and customers with any questions they may have. Last week, I had a great conversation with a fellow from New Jersey who was looking to start a new company installing solar. He asked me if he could install solar if he took our training. I respond, “Yes, absolutely!” and forward him to an article I wrote on the subject: With this Training, Can I Install Solar? We then began a longer 30 minute conversation that touched on everything from design, branding, sales to what specifically he needs to do to get his new venture going. Based on this conversation I assembled a checklist that every solar startup can run through to help them with their market entry strategy. This is by no means a complete list, but its getting there. If you’re looking for direction and don’t know where to start. This will help.

Remember first things first. First, we’ll discuss getting going, positioning and business strategy, next sales and marketing and last design and installation.

A couple principles I adhere to are, small businesses are all about cash and momentum. Second, be patient about growth but not about profitability. Read past the break for full details and join HeatSpring on facebook to keep the most up to date on free courses, events, tips, resources and news. If you’re a clean energy professional and looking to connect with other solar professionals to collaborate on jobs or best practices, request to join HeatSpring’s linkedin group for Clean Energy Professionals

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