Solar
Design and Installation
Utility-Scale
Utility-Scale Solar Construction & Project Management
About this course
An in-depth course focusing on everything you need to know about the development, design, permitting, construction & commissioning of utility-scale solar power plants!
By the end of this course - you'll have a detailed understanding of what goes into each of these key steps - and have a working knowledge of many of the major processes and tasks that go into converting empty land into a fully functioning solar power plant.
The course is open to anyone, but is primarily intended for people joining the solar construction industry and want to 'hit the ground running' so that they're set up to be successful from day one.
This course will help you learn more about the big picture of solar construction and project management and how all the parts fit together. The course is also appropriate for professionals with other experience in the solar industry, but who have never been on a construction site. It will help you understand a range of content such as job hazard analyses, what an inverter is and how it works, what an I/C agreement is, what as-builts are, the sequence of construction in a large scale job, what megger testing is... and much, much more!
You'll also have unlimited access to the instructor - Andy Nyce - during the course - with well over 2GW of experience in utility-scale solar, this is an unique opportunity to level up and become a part of the fastest growing industry in the world!
Recently updated for relevance in 2023, including new resources on the Inflation Reduction Act!
This course is included in these bundles
Course outline
6 modules
3 - 5 hours to complete
2:45 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 4 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 4 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.
- Introduction to the Course (16:14 minutes) Preview
- Introduction to the Course (.pdf)
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 15 assignments
Engineering and Procurement
Module 1 • 15 assignments
Engineering and Procurement
- Engineering - Basics of Solar (14:27 minutes)
- Engineering - Basics of Solar - Quiz
- Engineering - Electrical Flow (07:32 minutes)
- Engineering - Electrical Flow - Quiz
- Engineering - Design (12:35 minutes)
- Engineering - Design - Quiz
- Design - Additional Resources & Links
- Procurement - Materials (08:35 minutes)
- Procurement - Materials - Quiz
- Materials - Additional Resources and Links
- Read the Additional Resources and Post a Question on the Discussion Board
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Basics (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Electrical Flow (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Design (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Materials (.pdf)
Module 2 • 8 assignments
Development & Owners Engineering
Module 2 • 8 assignments
Development & Owners Engineering
- Development - Early Stage (09:40 minutes)
- Development - Engineering and Permitting (07:56 minutes)
- Development - Pre-Execution (08:43 minutes)
- A Guide for Developers and Investors (.pdf)
- How the Inflation Reduction Act will Supercharge Solar in the US
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Early Stage (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Engineering and Permitting (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Pre-Execution (.pdf)
Module 3 • 27 assignments
Construction
Module 3 • 27 assignments
Construction
- Construction - Basics (20:24 minutes)
- Construction - Basics - Quiz
- Safety Practices
- Journey to Safety Excellence
- Construction - Mechanical (10:06 minutes)
- Construction - Mechanical - Quiz
- Mechanical - Additional Resources - Sunfolding
- Erthos - Solar, Simplified
- Construction - Electrical (06:47 minutes)
- Construction - Electrical - Quiz
- Construction - Tools & Equipment (03:36 minutes)
- Construction - Tools & Equipment - Quiz
- Construction - Quality (10:54 minutes)
- Construction - Quality - Quiz
- Quality - Additional Links and Resources
- Construction - Field Engineering (04:09 minutes)
- Construction - Field Engineering - Quiz
- Assignment - Racking Systems Analysis Template (.docx)
- Assignment - Racking Systems Analysis
- Optional - Job Hazard Analysis (.doc)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Basics (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Mechanical (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Electrical (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Tools & Equipment (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Quality (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video - Field Engineering (.pdf)
- Pre-Construction Checklist (.xlsx)
Module 4 • 7 assignments
Commissioning, Testing & Next Steps
Module 4 • 7 assignments
Commissioning, Testing & Next Steps
- Commissioning & Testing (12:42 minutes)
- Commissioning - Quiz
- Expanding Your Opportunities (11:23 minutes)
- Additional Resources (youtube webinar)
- Additional Resource (PVTech Article) (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video (Expanding your Opportunities) (.pdf)
- Optional - Download the slides for the next video (Commissioning) (.pdf)
Conclusion • 6 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 6 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!
- Join the Exclusive LinkedIn Page for Additional Connections & Discussion
- Post about your positive experience with your network!
- 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 JTA
- NABCEP RE Elective
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
NABCEP Registered Provider
This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.
Instructor
Andy Nyce
Sr. Director of Project Management, Erthos Inc.
I'm Andy Nyce - originally from New Zealand, but I've spent the last nine years in the United States in a range of engineering, construction, project management and quality control roles in the large scale renewables industry. I've been directly involved in over 2GW of execution at every level of installation, management and commissioning. I'm currently the Sr....
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 4 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 every Friday. 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 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 HeatSpring for Groups page to get a group discount.
