40-Hour NABCEP Advanced Energy Storage Certification Training
About this course
This course is developed and taught by Sean White and includes lectures from solar legend Bill Brooks.
The main instructor for this course, Sean White, is one of HeatSpring's most popular and highest rated instructors. Sean is available to answer questions on the discussion board while you work through the course materials during your one-year session. He is extremely responsive and answers questions in great detail. Sean Answers every question on a daily basis 99.9% of the time.
He is an IREC Master Trainer, was named 2014 Clean Energy Trainer of the Year, has taught tens of thousands of professionals on solar and storage technology, contributed to the development of the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis, has been a member of the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Technical Committee, and has published 9 books on solar and storage design and installation.
This course includes many references to the National Electrical Code (NEC). It may be helpful for you to get a copy of the NEC, or you can use an online version. It's important to note that NABCEP is on the 2020 NEC for the ESIP exam. This course has information on Articles of the NEC, which Bill Brooks was intimately involved with writing and are explained in detail by Bill.
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Learning Objectives
- Energy Storage Systems and the National Electrical Code (NEC)
- Advanced best practices for Energy Storage System design, installation, commissioning, and sales
- Prepare for the NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional Certification Exam
- NABCEP Approved Advanced Training Hours for every NABCEP Energy Storage and PV Certification
Course outline
6 modules • 173 assignments • 27:17 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 13 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
- 2020 NEC👍
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code Book by Sean White and Bill Brooks includes ESS👍
- Optional: "The Science Behind How We Learn New Skills" and memory techniques👍
- Connect with your instructor Sean on LinkedIn
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Discussion Board Request from Sean and Notes on Posting Discussion Board Questions 👍
- Feedback from an highly knowledgable student after taking and passing the NABCEP PVIP exam (equivalent to ESIP)👍
- Introducing Bill Brooks!👍 (14:40 minutes) Preview
- Announcement: All NABCEP Exams can be taken at home👍
- Go-At-Your-Own-Pace👍
- Live Online Proctoring (LOP) for All NABCEP Exams!
- Books and resources
Module 1 • 49 assignments
Introduction and the National Electrical Code (NEC)
In this opening module you will get to know your instructor, explore various solar resources, do some foundational reading, learn about important terms and concepts that you'll need to memorize or at least familiarize yourself with, and do an in-depth review of the sections of the National Electrical Code (NEC) that relate to solar PV design and installation.
- Read: NABCEP ESIP JTA👍
- Resources Part Renewable Energy Labs (07:59 minutes)
- Resources Design Software (18:37 minutes)
- Resources Renewable Energy Websurfing (27:08 minutes)
- Markets and Getting Up To Speed (13:08 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 1: Memory Techniques (05:45 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 2: NEC Articles 100 Definitions and 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations (10:12 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 3: NEC Articles 200-250 including 230 Services, 240 Overcurrent Protection and 250 Grounding and Bonding (10:11 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 4: NEC Chapter 3 Wiring Methods and Materials, including the 310 Tables and different Articles on installing Conduits, such as EMT or Cables (11:09 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 5: NEC Chapters 4, 5 & 6. 4 is Equipment for General Use and includes 480 Storage Batteries, 5 is Special Occupancies and 6 is Special Equipment and includes 690 PV! (20:50 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize - Video 6: NEC Chapter 7 Video 1 of 2 including Articles 705 Interconnections, 706 Energy Storage Systems and 710 Stand-Alone Systems (23:32 minutes) Preview
- Memorize and Familiarize - Video 7 NEC Chapter 7 Video 2 of 2, including Articles 710 Stand Alone Systems and 712 DC Microgrids (24:26 minutes) Preview
- Memorize and Familiarize - Video 8: NEC Chapter 9 Tables and Annex C Conduit and Tubing Fill Tables for Conductors and Fixture Wires of the Same Size (08:26 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize - Video 9 Useful Information (19:37 minutes)
- Memorize and Familiarize Video 10: More Useful Information (25:15 minutes)
- Optional Discussion Board Post #1
- Read: Chapters 9 and 10 in PV and the NEC
- Presentation slides (PDF) (.pdf)
- NEC Notes
- NEC Article 100 Definitions Part 1 (29:57 minutes)
- NEC Article 100 Definitions Part 2 (16:35 minutes)
- NEC Article 100 Definitions Part 3 (17:55 minutes)
- NEC Article 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations Part 1 (19:39 minutes) Preview
- NEC Article 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations Part 2 (19:49 minutes)
- NEC Article 200 Grounded Conductors Part 1 (16:40 minutes)
- NEC Article 200 Grounded Conductors Part 2 (16:44 minutes)
- NEC Articles 210 Branch Circuits, 215 Feeders and 230 Services (20:47 minutes)
- NEC Article 240 Overcurrent Protection Part 1 (22:47 minutes)
- NEC Article 240 Overcurrent Protection Part 2 (19:51 minutes)
- NEC Article 250 Grounding and Bonding Part 1 (26:36 minutes) Preview
- NEC Article 250 Grounding and Bonding Part 2 (21:14 minutes)
- NEC Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials Part 1 (15:06 minutes)
- NEC Article 300 General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials Part 2 (21:46 minutes)
- NEC Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring Part 1 (14:57 minutes) Preview
- NEC Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring Part 2 (18:53 minutes)
- NEC Article 310 Conductors for General Wiring Part 3 (21:11 minutes)
- 320 to 358 Common Wiring Methods like EMT Part 1 (15:19 minutes)
- 320 to 358 Common Wiring Methods like EMT Part 2 (17:27 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 4 Featuring Article 480! Part 1 (15:38 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 4 Featuring Article 480! Part 2 (17:11 minutes)
- NEC Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 (10:42 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 9 Tables Part 1 (28:19 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 9 Tables Part 2 (19:32 minutes)
- NEC Chapter 9 Tables Part 3 (15:09 minutes)
- Informational Annexes (11:16 minutes)
- Optional Discussion Board Post #2
- Updating Course Material
- To view your test results
- 40-Hour NABCEP Advanced Module 1 Adv. NEC Quiz
Module 2 • 19 assignments
National Electrical Code (NEC) - Storage Related Articles
There are many NEC Articles besides Article 690 that are important to know about. This includes: Article 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources Article 706 Energy Storage Systems Article 710 Stand-Alone Systems Article 712 DC Microgrids (712 was merged into 705 in the 2023 NEC, which does not change much on what you do) Article 625 EV Power Transfer System And more!
- Read: Sustainable Energy Action Committee (SEAC) ESS downloads
- Bill Brooks talks Energy Storage Systems Part 1 (22:29 minutes) Preview
- Bill Brooks talks Energy Storage Systems Part 2 (10:56 minutes)
- Bill Brooks talks Storage Batteries Article 480 (03:30 minutes)
- 2020 National Electrical Code 706 With Bill Brooks Part 1 (20:04 minutes)
- 2020 National Electrical Code 706 With Bill Brooks Part 2 (17:26 minutes)
- Bill Brooks talks EV Power Transfer Station (EV charging and EV to Grid) (05:38 minutes)
- Bill gets excited talking about 705.13 Power Control Systems (08:16 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 1 Supply and Load Side Connections (07:44 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 2 with ESS Implications and Markets (11:51 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 3 More 705.13 PCS and MIDs (08:04 minutes)
- More EV to Grid-Full Circle with Bill Brooks (07:14 minutes) Preview
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 4 Supply-Side Connections and Microgrids (10:16 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 5 Wire Sizing and Supply-Side Connections (05:52 minutes) Preview
- NEC Update for IPCs effective 1/1/23 even for the 2020 NEC.
- Bill Brooks on 705 Video 6 Load-Side Connections (26:10 minutes)
- NEC Video 12 - 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources Part 1 (25:51 minutes)
- NEC Video 12 - 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources Part 2 (20:46 minutes)
- Optional Discussion Board Post #1
Module 3 • 25 assignments
Safety, Wire Sizing, Building Codes and Fire Codes
Always good to be safe, so safely size your wires and to understand some of the building and fire codes. For the NABCEP exam, do not worry so much about Bill's Building Codes and Fire Codes, however it is important information and for those of you looking for NABCEP Continuing Education (CE) this is a requirement.
- Read: Virtual Power Plant (VPP) article
- Answer to Question on Connecting PV System to a Split Bus Panel (10:14 minutes)
- Wire Sizing (Chapter 12 PV and the NEC) (.pdf)
- Code-Compliant Conductor Sizing - SolarPro (PDF) (.pdf)
- Code Compliant Conductor Sizing: a 2021 take on a 2011 SolarPro Article Part 1 (16:41 minutes)
- Code Compliant Conductor Sizing: a 2021 take on a 2011 SolarPro Article Part 2 (18:55 minutes)
- Building and Fire Codes with Bill Brooks Part 1- 2020 NFPA 855 Energy Storage Systems, IRC, IBC, IFC, NFPA 1, ICC (08:41 minutes) Preview
- Building and Fire Codes with Bill Brooks Part 2 Roof Setbacks (30:55 minutes)
- Building and Fire Codes with Bill Brooks Part 3 The ICC i-codes (13:50 minutes)
- International Residential Code (IRC) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with Bill Brooks (advanced topic) (27:36 minutes)
- 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) with Bill Brooks (advanced topic) (16:21 minutes)
- International Fire Code (IFC) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with Bill Brooks (advanced topic) (07:42 minutes)
- 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) for Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with Bill Brooks and related topics (32:20 minutes)
- 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with Bill Brooks (BB) (18:12 minutes)
- PV UL Listing 1703 transitioned to UL 61730 (.pdf)
- UL PV Listing 61730 replacing UL 1703 for making the test work around the world and UL 3741 listing for Rapid Shutdown (Hazard Control Systems) with Bill Brooks PE (12:08 minutes)
- UL 3741 Rapid Shutdown solution where the PV array can stay up to 1000V using SMA inverters with Sollega or Ironridge racks! (16:53 minutes)
- Solar Building and Fire Codes Video 1 Part 1 (optional) (14:29 minutes)
- Solar Building and Fire Codes Video 1 Part 2 (optional) (20:53 minutes)
- Solar Building and Fire Codes Video 2 (optional) (23:14 minutes)
- Solar Building and Fire Codes Video 3 (optional) (21:06 minutes)
- Solar Building and Fire Codes Video 4 Part 1 (optional) (21:48 minutes)
- Solar Building and Fire Codes Video 4 Part 2 (optional) (23:51 minutes)
- Optional Discussion Board Post #1
- Optional Discussion Board Post #2
Module 4 • 20 assignments
National Electrical Code - Article 690
This module, you will go through Article 690 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Note that the very first thing on the ESIP JTA says we should understand PV: ESIP JTA: Domain 1: Development Task 1: Understand the Technologies and Applications Knowledge of: a. Power generation sources (e.g., photovoltaic [PV], engine generator, utility, wind) So, just like with the NABCEP PV exams where we should understand energy storage, with the NABCEP energy storage exam, we should also know PV. https://www.nabcep.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NABCEP-ESIP-JTA.pdf
- 2020 NEC Video 1 Intro and what defines a PV system (15:00 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 2, AC and DC Coupling, 690.2 definitions (15:43 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 3 Voltage (15:55 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 4 Bifacial, Solsmart Permit Process, Voltage Irradiance and Temp. (15:11 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 5 690.8 Current! (16:31 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 6 690.8 and 690.8(A)(2) Circuits Connected to Electronic Power Converters (19:51 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 7 690.9 Overcurrent Protection (13:32 minutes)
- 2020 NEC Video 8 Wire Sizing (15:59 minutes)
- NEC Video 9 - 690.10 Stand-Alone Systems and 690.11 DC Arc-Fault Protection (02:15 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on Rapid Shutdown Part 1 Outside of the Array Boundary (14:57 minutes)
- Bill Brooks on Rapid Shutdown Part 2 inside of the Array Boundary (20:17 minutes)
- 690 Part III Disconnecting Means (10:05 minutes)
- 690 Part IV Wiring Methods (08:52 minutes)
- 690 Part V Grounding and Bonding Part 1 (19:20 minutes)
- 690 Part V Grounding and Bonding Part 2 (05:16 minutes)
- 690 Part VI to End of Article 690 (02:32 minutes)
- 691 Large-Scale Photovoltaic (04:18 minutes)
- Grounding electrode schemes and transformers with emphasis on utility-scale (double advanced topic) (21:27 minutes)
- News: 690.12(B)(2)(1) Rapid Shutdown UL Listing
- Optional Discussion Board Post #1
Module 5 • 3 assignments
Practice Exam for NABCEP PV Certification and Trig
Here we have a full practice exam that will prepare you for the NABCEP Certification exams. Be sure to check that you also have access to other NABCEP Certification exams which is organized as a separate course. Also covered in the module are trigonometry concepts you'll need for some solar calculations. The NABCEP certification exams have been known to have 1 or 2 questions that you can use trig to solve.
- Optional Discussion Board Post #1
- 40-hour NABCEP ESIP Practice Exam - 70 Questions
- 40-hour NABCEP ESIP Practice Exam - 70 Questions Answer with Detailed Explanations (.pdf)
Module 6 • 33 assignments
Question-by-Question Practice Exam Review
Review each question from the practice exam to understand how to arrive at the correct answer. Notes: 1. There are some questions here that talk about PV systems, however the same reasoning will be for an ESS, so these questions are relevant. Things like ac inverter circuits are the same for ESS and PV systems. 2. Also note that the very first thing on the ESIP JTA says we should understand PV: ESIP JTA: Domain 1: Development Task 1: Understand the Technologies and Applications Knowledge of: a. Power generation sources (e.g., photovoltaic [PV], engine generator, utility, wind) So, just like with the NABCEP PV exams where we should understand energy storage, with the NABCEP energy storage exam, we should also know PV. https://www.nabcep.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NABCEP-ESIP-JTA.pdf
- Question 1 Explained (04:03 minutes)
- Question 2 Explained (05:14 minutes)
- Question 4 Explained (05:21 minutes)
- Question 5 Explained (03:26 minutes)
- Question 6 Explained (04:29 minutes)
- Question 7 Explained (03:40 minutes)
- Question 8 Explained (05:44 minutes)
- Question 18 Explained (02:05 minutes)
- Question 19 Explained (03:10 minutes)
- Question 22 Explained (03:52 minutes)
- Question 23 Explained (01:53 minutes)
- Question 29 Explained (03:03 minutes)
- Question 31 Explained (02:59 minutes)
- Question 32 Explained (04:44 minutes)
- Question 33 Explained (01:52 minutes)
- Question 34 Explained (03:13 minutes)
- Question 36 Explained (02:28 minutes)
- Question 37 Explained (02:31 minutes)
- Question 47 Explained (02:05 minutes)
- Question 48 Explained (02:05 minutes)
- Question 50 Explained (03:03 minutes)
- Question 53 Explained (02:37 minutes)
- Question 56 Explained (02:16 minutes)
- Question 57 Explained (01:45 minutes)
- Question 58 Explained (02:10 minutes)
- Question 59 Explained (02:15 minutes)
- Question 60 Explained (01:33 minutes)
- Question 61 Explained (03:26 minutes)
- Question 63 Explained (02:36 minutes)
- Question 64 Explained
- Question 65 Explained (04:34 minutes)
- Question 66 Explained (01:58 minutes)
- Question 69 Explained (02:37 minutes)
Conclusion • 11 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- Lots of additional optional videos and audio recordings
- NABCEP Application: Start your application for the NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional Certification Exam
- NABCEP Certification Exam Scheduling Email from NABCEP (.pdf)
- NABCEP Practice Exam 1 (70-Question) Questions with Explanations (.pdf)
- Bonus Practice Exam (30-Question) Questions with Explanations (.pdf)
- $100 Discount for "Drone Pilot Boot Camp"
- NABCEP Exam Pep Talk (48 seconds) Preview
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours
- NABCEP NEC
- NABCEP JTA
- NABCEP RE Elective
- NABCEP Building or Fire Code
- NABCEP PV Associate Renewal
Approved NABCEP CEU Hours
| NABCEP Credential | Advanced Hours for Exam | Recertification CEU Hours | NEC | JTA | RE Elective | Building or Fire Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 40 | 4 | |
| 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 40 | 30 | 28 | 20 | 40 | 4 | |
| 28 | 30 | 28 | 20 | 40 | 4 | |
| 28 | 30 | 28 | 20 | 40 | 4 | |
| 20 | 30 | 28 | 20 | 40 | 4 | |
| 28 | 30 | 28 | 40 | 40 | 4 | |
| 0 | 30 | 0 | 20 | 40 | 4 |
NABCEP Registered Provider
This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.
Instructors
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View profileSean White
2014 IREC Trainer of the Year, HeatSpring / White House Energy Inc. / Sean White Solar / Norcal SolarSean White was the 2014 Interstate Renewable Energy Council Trainer of the Year. He is an IREC Certified Solar PV Master Trainer and has authored several books on solar. He contributed to the development of the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis and has been a member of the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Technical Committee. Sean is a... Learn more
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Bill Brooks PE, of Brooks Engineering LLC, has over 30 years of experience designing, installing, and evaluating grid-connected PV systems. More than 12,000 installers and inspectors have attended his courses throughout the U.S. and abroad. His field troubleshooting skills have been valuable in determining where problems occur to focus training on those issues of... Learn more
Frequently asked questions
How does this course work?
How long do I have access to the materials?
How long does this course take to complete
You can move as fast or slow as you want through the course materials. Since the course includes 6 modules, we recommend a pace of working 5-10 hours per week for 6 weeks. Some students power through it all into one week, some take a whole year. You can always rewatch videos or skip ahead and come back.
Almost all of our students are working professionals in the industry so we try to make the course as flexible as possible so it can be completed alongside a full time job. We will send you weekly emails to help you push through the material but those emails are just informational and you can complete the course at your own pace.
After you complete all of the course materials and pass all of the quizzes, you can sign the honor code and request a certificate of completion. The certificate of completion will include CEU hours and can be used as documentation with NABCEP.
Is the NABCEP certification exam based on the 2017 NEC or the new 2020 NEC code? Which code does this course cover?
Your instructor Sean White did add a new free course on the 2020 NEC here as well which you can access for free by enrolling here: Photovoltaics and the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC).
Does this course qualify me for the NABCEP PV Design Specialist Certification or other NABCEP PV Certifications?
PV Certification exam. It also counts for sub-categories of hours (NEC etc) but the number of hours varies for each NABCEP credential.
To see exactly how many hours this course counts for, please use our 3-step NABCEP Credential Course Finder .
Does this course cover sections from NEC Chapter 2? If so, which sections?
250 Grounding and Bonding
Sections:
250.50 Grounding Electrode Systems
250.52 Grounding Electrodes
250.53 Grounding Electrode System Installation
250.54 Auxiliary Grounding Electrodes
250.64 Grounding Electrode Conductor Installation
250.66 Size of ac GEC
250.120 EGC Installation
250.122 Size of EGCs
250.166 Size of dc GEC
240 Overcurrent Protection
Sections:
240.4 Protection of Conductors
240.5 (Will be in 2020 NEC updated material in January)
240.6 Standard Ampere Ratings
240.21 Location in Circuit (Feeder Taps)
Much of the details of overcurrent protection and wire sizing for Solar PV Systems is in Article 690. We do cover the specifics of wire sizing, which can be related to wire sizing of non-solar loads.
And a little bit of:
200 Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors
Sections:
200.6 Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors
230 Services
Sections:
230.2 Number of Services
230.82 Equipment Connected to Supply Side of Service
Much of the Chapter 2 material that we do cover is referenced when Article 690 Solar Photovoltaic Systems or Article 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources sends us to Chapter 2.
Would you please help me to understand how your course may differ from other online options (i.e. Solaraigen, Everblue, etc)?
Our course is taught by expert instructor Dr. Sean White. You get access to all of the course materials as soon as you enroll and can ask Sean questions on the discussion board. Sean is one of our most highly rated and reviewed instructor and answers every question typically within one business day, usually in great detail. You can optionally read through all of the past questions and answers from other students.
The course materials are actually a lot more than 40 hours of content, but the course is approved by NABCEP for 40 Advanced PV Training hours towards the NABCEP PV Certification exams. The course includes over 50 hours of core content as well as an additional 38 hours of optional content.
Sean is an IREC Master Trainer and was named trainer of the year. He is also an author with several books on PV Installation one of which you will need for the course. He will connect with you on LinkedIn.
So the structure of this course connects you with an expert who can answer your questions, and also provides a large amount of high quality content related to both passing the NABCEP exam as well as instruction on advanced solar PV installation and design topics.
The course is intended for industry professionals so our online format is flexible and you can move as fast or slow as you want. You can see the (mostly) outstanding student feedback here for this course.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Can I register multiple people?
I am seeking to get NABCEP PVTS certified, I will need 32 hours or training. I am confused as this course appears to offer 40 hours of credits but at the bottom it says only 20 are applicable for PVTS certification, can you please clarify? I see another 20 for JTA, what is this for?
NABCEP only counts 20 hours for this course towards the PVTS certification because that's all the PVTS applicable content. If you take the course, you would be able to click through other content you don't need, or watch it if you want for your own education.
Yes the 20 JTA is 20 hours of Job Task Analysis CEUs for continuing education requirements. You would need that to recertify every 3 years. To sit for the exam you just need the Advanced Training hours.
For more information, visit the PV Technical Sales Certification detail page. The Megawatt Design and Comprehensive Solar Plus Storage courses offer more Advanced Training hours towards the PVTS. And the Photovoltaics and the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC)' course listed there is free and counts for 2 hours, so that would give you the 32 hours total you need.