Key Microgrid Application Case Studies: Rural Electrification & Telecom Towers

Microgrids are an emerging technology with few real-world examples to study.
This new short course, taught by Dr. Andy Skumanich, covers two real-world examples of microgrid solutions for major application segments: rural electrification and off-grid telecom tower power.
These two segments can often only be addressed by a microgrid and are ideally suited for a PV/battery mode of […]

The SunEdison Collapse & Today’s Solar Market

It’s ugly out there. The folding of SunEdison has been a disaster for the industry.
With the recent SolarCity announcement of Elon and the Rive Brothers using their cashed-in stock options to create a short term bond, what does this mean for an industry in spasm? Their term loan obligation, coming December 31st, of $250 million will also put […]

Learn Infrared Imaging as a PV Characterization Tool for $30

Along with the increasing popularity of solar PV systems comes the need for high-quality operations and maintenance (O&M).
This is an area that is often overlooked but has been gaining attention in recent years. In this lecture, Dr. James Rand introduces infrared imaging (IR) technology and explains how it can be used to greatly improve solar […]

NABCEP Entry Level Program Becomes Associate Program in August

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) recently notified training providers that its Entry Level Program will be undergoing some changes next month. The program will now be called the Associate Program, and continuing education will be required to maintain the credential.

Here are the specifics:

1) Effective August 15th, 2016, the NABCEP Entry Level […]

Bring Your Sol to Work: Finding Career Opportunities in the Solar Industry

In a recent conversation with a young woman, I had an epiphany about why working in solar is good for the soul.  She had just returned from volunteering in Greece to help Syrian refugees receive care and assistance upon entry into the country. While listening to her, I began to think that perhaps my job […]