The 2026 National Electrical Code is Now Available Online for Free Brit Heller Great news for solar and energy storage professionals! The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC®) has been released, and you can review it for free on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website. How to Access the 2026 NEC for Free NFPA has long been committed to making safety codes and standards accessible to the public. Here’s how you can view the new 2026 NEC online: Visit the NFPA codes and standards list Search for the NEC (NFPA 70) Use the drop-down menu to select the 2026 edition Click the “View Free Access” button Create a NFPA account and accept their terms to access Browse using the table of contents or page number It’s important to note that this is read-only access – you can’t download or print the full code, but it’s perfect for looking up requirements and familiarizing yourself with the changes. Why Does the NFPA Offer Free Access? NFPA was the first organization to provide free public access to privately developed codes and standards. While the documents can’t be downloaded (NFPA relies on code sales to fund their standards development process), having free online access is invaluable for professionals who need to check requirements or stay current with code updates. If you’d like to support the NFPA and their critical work developing industry standards, you can purchase a print format 2026 NEC here. Learn About 2026 NEC Changes for Solar and Storage Professionals Want to dive deeper into what’s changed in the 2026 NEC specifically for solar, energy storage, EVs, and related systems? Check out this comprehensive course: 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC®) Changes: PV, ESS, EVs, PCS, and More. This course will help you understand the specific updates that matter most to your work in renewable energy and storage systems. If you enroll in this “changes only” course now, you can apply your enrollment fee toward the comprehensive 2026 NEC course from the same instructors when it launches. Get started learning about the key changes today, and upgrade to the complete course later without losing your investment. Safety Solar Solar Design & Installation Solar miscellaneous Solar Plus Storage Originally posted on November 3, 2025 Written by Brit Heller Director of Program Management @ HeatSpring. Brit holds two NABCEP certifications - Photovoltaic Installation Professional (PVIP) and Photovoltaic Technical Sales (PVTS). When she isn’t immersed in training, Brit is a budding regenerative farmer just outside of Atlanta where she is developing a 17-acre farm rooted in permaculture principles. She can be found building soil health, cultivating edible & medicinal plants, caring for her animals or building functional art. More posts by Brit