Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training

About this course

With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, Amicus O&M Cooperative has created this new training specifically for Solar PV and BESS Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technicians. For the first time ever, the industry has coalesced around a consensus document to define a four-level technician framework for professional advancement, along with the competencies a company can evaluate in order to “graduate” to the next level. This consensus is captured in the new Solar Energy Industries Association SEIA 301: Solar PV and BESS Operations and Maintenance Standard – Technician Training.

This online training program is geared toward entry-level O&M technicians (Tech 1), and it contains approximately 24 units that cover core skills that any O&M technician would need, regardless of the size of the systems you’re working on. Additionally, there are 7 units at the end that address specific considerations for residential and C&I sites, utility sites, and battery energy storage systems.

Course Contents

Foundations
On-Site Safety
Basic Electrical Theory
PV Fundamentals
PV System Operation
Plan set, Schematics, and Diagrams
Meter & Tool Selection, Use, and Safety
Intro to O&M
O&M Tasks
Meteorological and Data Acquisition Systems
Creating Good Documentation
Market-Segment Specific Considerations (focused on different system scales like residential, C&I, utility, and ESS)

The standard asks that Tech 1 also obtain certain safety certifications and training: OSHA 10 (at a minimum), CPR, and First Aid. Talk with your company about how to obtain those certificates.

Subjects covered

Solar Energy Storage Inspection, O&M Safety & Compliance Solar + Storage

Learning Objectives

Implement safe working practices by assessing workplace hazards, selecting appropriate PPE, and correctly applying lockout/tagout procedures.
Explain foundational electrical concepts and solar theory relevant to PV system operations and maintenance.
Identify the equipment and operational states of PV systems, including inverters, PV modules, wiring, and disconnects.
Interpret site-specific plan sets to locate system components and understand system design.
Perform and analyze basic electrical measurements using appropriate testing equipment.
Execute preventative and corrective maintenance tasks following industry best practices.
Describe the functionality of data acquisition systems and identify their key components.

Course outline

5 modules

18 - 24 hours to complete

1. 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.

2. Solar PV Fundamentals & Safety

3. Solar PV System Operations & Maintenance Practices

4. Data Acquisition, Documentation, and Market-Specific Applications

5. 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!

Instructor

Amicus O&M Cooperative

Amicus O&M Cooperative is a community of solar operations and maintenance (O&M) providers across North America. Through a set of tools/templates/software, extensive knowledge sharing, and a training program for O&M professionals, the cooperative supports its member companies in offering safe, efficient, standardized services. The cooperative itself does not perform O&M...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ

How does this course work?

This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. 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 can pre-order but will not be able to access the full course materials or earn a certificate of completion until the course is fully published. Once the course is published any students who have pre-ordered will then have access to the course materials for one year (365 days). 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.

Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?

Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.

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.

Can I register multiple people?

Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.

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