About this course
The utility-scale solar industry is growing faster than ever before. Having a solid understanding of the foundations of solar is crucial to excelling in your utility-scale solar career.
In this introductory course, Andy Nyce breaks down the basics of electricity and its flow, which is essential to understanding how solar systems operate. Equally as important to understand is the ecosystem of organizational partners that come together to develop solar PV projects, everything from Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms to utilities to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) will be covered as well.
This content was previously embedded in the Quality Management in Utility-Scale Solar Construction, Utility-Scale Solar Operations & Maintenance, and Understanding Utility-Scale Solar Construction Drawings courses. Now, it is a stand-alone course. Students in any of those courses can request a complementary enrollment to this course.
In this introductory course, Andy Nyce breaks down the basics of electricity and its flow, which is essential to understanding how solar systems operate. Equally as important to understand is the ecosystem of organizational partners that come together to develop solar PV projects, everything from Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms to utilities to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) will be covered as well.
This content was previously embedded in the Quality Management in Utility-Scale Solar Construction, Utility-Scale Solar Operations & Maintenance, and Understanding Utility-Scale Solar Construction Drawings courses. Now, it is a stand-alone course. Students in any of those courses can request a complementary enrollment to this course.
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
4 modules
1 hour to complete
43 minutes
of video lectures
Welcome • 2 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 2 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.
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Growth of the Solar Industry
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Growth of the Solar Industry
- The Growth of the Solar Industry (10:02 minutes)
- How the Inflation Reduction Act will Supercharge Solar in the US
Module 2 • 9 assignments
Basics of Solar PV
Module 2 • 9 assignments
Basics of Solar PV
- The Basics of Electricity (13:15 minutes)
- The Basics of Electricity - Quiz
- Electrical Flow on a Utility-Scale Solar Site (09:27 minutes)
- Electrical Flow - Quiz
- Key Players in the Utility-Scale Solar (11:13 minutes)
- Basics of Solar PV (Optional Download) (.pdf)
- Construction of a Large Scale Solar PV Plant
- Materials and Additional Resources
- Pre-Construction Checklist (.xlsx)
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 4 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!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
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 2 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 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 Teams](/for_teams) page to get a group discount.