What Does It Take to Level Up in Solar + Storage Operations and Maintenance?

Amanda Bybee has spent years building the systems, standards, and training that keep solar and storage assets running. As CEO of the Amicus O&M Cooperative, the creator of the Tech 1 and Tech 2 courses, she knows exactly what separates a technician who needs supervision from one who can handle the hard problems independently.

We sat down with Amanda to get her take on who this training is for, what makes it different, and why it matters for the future of solar O&M. Here’s what she had to say.

Learn more and enroll your team in the Solar PV and BESS O&M Tech 2 Training on HeatSpring.

Do you need to take Tech 1 before Tech 2?

The Tech 2 course is built around the SEIA/ANSI 301 standard, and that standard is clear about prerequisites. Before enrolling in Tech 2, technicians should have covered the Tech 1 material. Before they can be considered a fully credentialed Tech 2, they also need to complete an NFPA 70E training covering arc flash hazards and electrical safety. Amanda explains why these aren’t just checkboxes.

Who’s ready for Tech 2 training?

Not everyone coming to Tech 2 is starting from zero. Some students will be Tech 1 graduates looking to level up. Others may be experienced O&M technicians or licensed electricians who want to fill in the gaps and sharpen what they already know. Amanda breaks down how to think about readiness.

What does it take to work autonomously in the field?

The Tech levels aren’t just about what you know. They define how independently you can operate. Amanda walks through the full progression from Tech 1 to Tech 4, and explains where Tech 2 sits in that journey: the point at which a technician becomes fully proficient across all standard field work.

Why does Tech 2 cover residential, C&I, and utility-scale all in one course?

It might seem ambitious to cover the full market spectrum in a single training program, but Amanda explains why that was a deliberate decision. As the O&M industry grows and companies diversify, technicians who understand all three segments are more versatile, more employable, and better prepared for where the industry is heading.

How does running a national O&M network shape what’s in the course?

Amicus O&M Cooperative is made up of solar O&M companies across North America, and that network is embedded in how this course was built. Amanda talks about keeping the technician experience at the center of the curriculum and why real-world input from member companies matters more than any AI content creation tool.

What concept in Tech 2 are you most excited for students to dig into?

Amanda lights up talking about root cause analysis and system performance assessment. They represent the core shift that Tech 2 is designed to create: moving technicians from knowing how to do a task to understanding why something is happening in the first place.

Tech 2 is a 30-hour, self-paced online program built to take you from foundational knowledge to autonomous field professional. The course covers safety protocols, electrical theory, advanced diagnostics including IV curve tracing and thermography, troubleshooting, and specialized content for residential, C&I, utility-scale, and BESS systems. It aligns with the SEIA/ANSI 301 standard and will qualify for NABCEP CEUs.

Whether you’re a Tech 1 graduate ready to level up or an experienced technician looking to formalize and deepen your skills, Tech 2 is the training that gets you there.

Enroll your team in Solar PV and BESS O&M Tech 2 Training!