Solar
NABCEP
Design and Installation
30-Hour NABCEP Advanced PV Certification Training and CEUs
About this course
Updated for the latest NABCEP PV Certification Exams
This course is developed and taught by Sean White and includes includes lectures from solar legend Bill Brooks.
This course qualifies for 30 hours of advanced training required for NABCEP PV Certification Exams and all CEU hours for recertification. HeatSpring is an Accredited NABCEP Provider.
Taking a NABCEP PV certification exam? NABCEP's professional certification exams are notoriously difficult, and this course is a great way to prepare. You'll get access to a 70-question practice exam, many hours of lecture videos, and a world-class instructor Sean White. You may also wish to increase your chances of passing with our 40-hour Advanced PV course.
Dive deep into advanced solar PV installation and design principles and practices addressed in the NABCEP PV Installer Job Task Analysis.
The main instructor for this course, Sean White, is one of HeatSpring's most popular and highest rated instructors. He 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% of the time.
He is an IREC Master Trainer, was named 2014 Clean Energy Trainer of the Year, has taught thousands of professionals on solar 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 multiple books on solar PV design and installation.
Sean published his second edition of "Solar PV Engineering and Installation," in 2019. It's a perfect complement to this course and also a great study companion for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification exam. You can get it online for about $35, we provide a link in the course for some options. Another good book Sean wrote with Bill that goes great with this course is PV and the NEC, which is published every 3 years, like the NEC.
This course covers topics in the NABCEP Job Task Analysis for all PV Certifications, see below for a table of all hours by specific NABCEP Credential.
This course is included in these bundles
Course outline
5 modules
30 hours to complete
24:25 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 24 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 24 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.
- 2017 NEC Free Download (NABCEP is still on 2017)
- Purchase a copy of "Solar PV Engineering and Installation 2nd Edition" &/or "PV and the NEC 2nd Edition" (.pdf)
- Navigating the Course
- Introduction Part 1 (03:48 minutes)
- Introduction Part 2 (09:00 minutes)
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduction Part 3 (03:38 minutes)
- Introduction Part 4 (01:03 minutes)
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Introduction Part 5 (48 seconds)
- A Quick Look at the Video Player Controls (27 seconds)
- Connect with your instructor Sean on LinkedIn
- Reading: 2019 NABCEP PV Certification Study Guide (.pdf)
- Review: NABCEP Job Task Analysis (.pdf)
- Announcement regarding NABCEP Certification Exams and the NEC Adoption
- Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code Book by Sean White and Bill Brooks
- Feedback from an highly knowledgable student after taking and passing the NABCEP PVIP exam:
- Introducing Bill Brooks! (14:40 minutes) Preview
- Go-At-Your-Own-Pace
- Discussion Board Request from Sean and Notes on Posting Discussion Board Questions
- Live Online Proctoring (LOP) for All NABCEP Exams!
- Calculator and NEC Codebook Rules from Scantron Testing Centers (currently Meazure Learning) for NABCEP Certification Exams
- Books and resources
- Free Additional Practice Exam
Module 1 • 41 assignments
Module 1
Module 1 • 41 assignments
Module 1
This week will introduce many of the concepts that will be covered on the exam.
- 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 (16:30 minutes)
- NEC Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 (12:20 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)
- Lesson 1 (24:27 minutes)
- Code-Compliant Conductor Sizing - SolarPro (PDF) (.pdf)
- Code Compliant Conductor Sizing: an updated take on a 2011 SolarPro Article Part 1 (16:41 minutes)
- Code Compliant Conductor Sizing: an updated 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)
- 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 (13:40 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)
- 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)
Module 2 • 59 assignments
Module 2
Module 2 • 59 assignments
Module 2
This week you will set aside 4 hours to take the 70-question practice exam and see how you do.
- Where To Get Information - Part 1 (07:24 minutes)
- Where To Get Information - Part 2 (11:26 minutes)
- Trigonometry Review Part 1 (19:19 minutes)
- Trigonometry Review Part 2 (14:34 minutes)
- Introduction to Voltage Temperature Calculations (01:09 minutes)
- Voltage Temperature Calculations - Part 1 (04:45 minutes)
- Voltage Temperature Calculations - Part 2 (11:50 minutes)
- Voltage Temperature Calculations - Part 3 (05:57 minutes)
- Voltage Temperature Calculations - Part 4 (02:29 minutes)
- Voltage Temperature Calculations - Part 5 (04:23 minutes)
- String Sizing Formula
- Read: Chapter 4 in "Solar PV Engineering and Installation" - Article 705: Interconnections
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 1 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 690 photovoltaic (PV) systems
- 2017 NEC Video 1 - Introduction to 690.2 (18:42 minutes) Preview
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 2 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 690 photovoltaic systems part II circuit requirements
- 2017 NEC Video 2 - 690.7 Voltage (16:59 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 3 - 690.8 Current (22:18 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 4 - 690.9 Overcurrent Protection (14:13 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 5 - 690.10 Stand-Alone Systems and 690.11 DC Arc-Fault Protection (06:00 minutes)
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 3 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Section 690.12 rapid shutdown
- 2017 NEC Video 6 - 690.12 Rapid Shutdown Showdown Part 1 (21:12 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 6 - 690.12 Rapid Shutdown Showdown Part 2 (25:23 minutes)
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 4 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 690 part III disconnecting means
- 2017 NEC Video 7 - 690 Part III Disconnecting Means (19:32 minutes)
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 5 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 690 part IV wiring methods
- 2017 NEC Video 8 - 690 Part IV Wiring Methods (30:06 minutes)
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 6 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 690 part V grounding and bonding
- 2017 NEC Video 9 - 690 Part V Grounding and Bonding Part 1 (18:01 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 9 - 690 Part V Grounding and Bonding Part 2 (17:04 minutes)
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 7 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 690 part VI to the end of 690
- 2017 NEC Video 10 - 690 Part VI to End of Article 690 (23:03 minutes)
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 8 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 691 large-scale photovoltaic (PV) electric power production facility
- 2017 NEC Video 11 - 691 Large-Scale Photovoltaic (19:10 minutes)
- Grounding electrode schemes and transformers with emphasis on utility-scale (double advanced topic). (21:27 minutes)
- Suggested Reading Assignment: Read Chapter 9 in "Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code (2017 edition)" - Article 705 interconnected electric power production sources
- 2017 NEC Video 12 - 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources Part 1 (25:51 minutes)
- 2017 NEC Video 12 - 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources Part 2 (20:46 minutes)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- PV UL Listing 1703 transitioned to UL 61730 (.pdf)
- Wire Sizing (Chapter 12 PV and the NEC) Reading Assignment-advanced topic (.pdf)
- Calculating Fault Currents with Bill Brooks-double advanced topic (34:07 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)
- 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with Bill Brooks (BB) (18:12 minutes)
- 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)
Module 3 • 4 assignments
Practice Exam
Module 3 • 4 assignments
Practice Exam
- Optional Materials, Including Practice Exams
- NABCEP Practice Exam Answers with detailed explanations (.pdf)
- NABCEP Exam Registration and Testing Overview: Certemy, Meazure Learning, and Scantron
- How to Check your Score in NABCEP Exam (01:00 minutes)
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 5 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
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 30 | 6 | 30 | 18 | 2 | |
| 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | 30 | 6 | 20 | 18 | 2 | |
| 24 | 30 | 6 | 30 | 18 | 2 | |
| 24 | 30 | 6 | 30 | 18 | 2 | |
| 30 | 30 | 0 | 20 | 30 | 2 | |
| 24 | 30 | 6 | 30 | 18 | 2 | |
| 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NABCEP Registered Provider
This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.
Instructors
Sean White
2014 IREC Trainer of the Year, HeatSpring / White House Energy Inc. / Sean White Solar / Norcal Solar
Sean 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...
Bill Brooks
Principal, Brooks Engineering
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...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 3 module course is delivered entirely online. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. During your year of access the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Is the NABCEP certification exam based on the 2017 NEC or the new 2020 NEC code? Which code does this course cover?
All NABCEP certification exams are currently based on the 2017 NEC. Until this so changes our exam prep courses, including this course will continue to focus on the 2017 NEC.
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?
HeatSpring is an accredited provider with NABCEP and yes this course is pre-approved for Advanced PV Training hours required by NABCEP to sit for the PV Design Specialist Certification exam or any other NABCEP
PV Certification exam. It also counts for sub-categories of hours (NEC etc) but the number of hours varies for each NABCEP credential.
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 .
How Long Does This Course Take To Complete
You get access to all of the course materials as soon as you enroll and can ask Sean questions on the discussion board for a full year. You can move as fast or slow as you want through the course materials. We recommend spending 5-10 hours per week for 6 weeks. Some students power through it all into one week, some take a whole year or more. You can always rewatch videos or skip ahead and come back. 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 there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
The NABCEP PV Installation Professional Exam is notoriously difficult. What should I do to pass?
Its true that the exam is very difficult and the passing rate is not high. Here is some good advice for preparing for the exam offered by a past student of this course:
"I searched for online educational options after I committed to study for the NABCEP Professional Installers Certification Exam. I studied daily for 3 months; ie, including weekends. Admittedly, there were multiple instances of frustration and feelings of hopelessness. When you experience, and you will, just persevere. I suspect frustration is normal when trying to learn something new and technical such as solar. My preparation consisted of meticulously reviewing and re-reviewing each of Sean's videos; including completing each practice problem multiple times. I also changed the variables in the problems and solved them for practice. Sean's approach to presenting the content was key in my exam preparation. I found it beneficial extrapolating concepts in his videos and applying them in potential 'real life' circumstances. In addition, Sean's availability and responsiveness was extremely beneficial. He responses were consistently timely and thorough - he is a very valuable resource. Together with Sean's involvement/support and the content of the course, I was well prepared for the exam. Having access to valuable tools (eg, Sean's course) alone will not get the job done. You must commit to put in the necessary time and effort. Though I have a few degrees in science and business, the exam proved to be one of the most challenging I have yet to encounter. Though I passed the exam upon my first attempt, I walked out of the session not really knowing how I did (I guess that, too, is normal). In closing, I highly recommend Sean's course to anyone who is serious about passing the exam. Good luck!"
Can I register multiple people?
Yes please visit our HeatSpring for Teams page to get a group discount.
