Solar NABCEP Design and Installation

10-Hour PV and the 2020 NEC

Sean White

6h 12m of video lectures

Last updated 04/2024

About this course

This 10-hour course covers PV in the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC). It is an excellent way to understand how the NEC applies to PV systems.

In this class, Sean White and Bill Brooks explain the NEC in a way that is as fun as possible for a large, very technical book. This course is jam-packed with NEC insight, interpretation, and comparison to past versions.

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Course outline

6 modules • 48 assignments • 6:12 hours of video lectures

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 • 9 assignments

Welcome- Orientation Materials

Introduction (01:55 minutes)
NEC Free Download and 2020 NEC Free Access
Books and resources
Photovoltaic Systems and the National Electric Code Book by Sean White and Bill Brooks
Set up email notifications and your student profile
Live Online Proctoring (LOP) for All NABCEP Exams!
Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Connect with your instructor Sean on LinkedIn
Discussion Board Request from Sean and Notes on Posting Discussion Board Questions

Module 2 • 5 assignments

NEC Overview

Memorize and Familiarize: NEC Articles 100 Definitions and 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations (10:12 minutes)
Memorize and Familiarize: 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 - Useful Information (19:37 minutes)
Memorize and Familiarize: More Useful Information (25:15 minutes)
NEC Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 (10:42 minutes)

Module 3 • 17 assignments

NEC Article 690

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) Preview
Bill Brooks on Rapid Shutdown Part 2 inside of the Array Boundary (20:17 minutes)
690 Part III Disconnecting Means (10:05 minutes) Preview
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)
Audio 2020 NEC Article 690 Reading - Radio 690!

Module 4 • 9 assignments

More Codes and Standards

691 Large-Scale Photovoltaic (04:18 minutes)
Grounding electrode schemes and transformers with emphasis on utility-scale (double advanced topic) (21:27 minutes)
690.12(B)(2)(1) Rapid Shutdown UL Listing
Answer to Question on Connecting PV System to a Split Bus Panel (10:59 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)
Wire Sizing (Chapter 12 PV and the NEC) (.pdf)
PV UL Listing 1703 transitioned to UL 61730 (.pdf)

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!

1 Year of Access to Course Materials
Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
1 Year of Access to Course Materials
Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
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Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate

Continuing Education Units

Approved NABCEP CEU Hours

NABCEP Credential	Advanced Hours for Exam	Recertification CEU Hours	NEC	JTA	RE Elective
PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification	10	10	10	10	10
PV Associate (PVA) Credential	0	10	0	0	0
Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Certification	0	10	10	10	10
PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification	10	10	10	10	10
PV Installer Specialist (PVIS) Certification	10	10	10	10	10
PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Certification	5	10	0	10	10
PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Certification	10	10	10	10	10
PV System Inspector (PVSI) Certification	0	8	8	0	0

Instructor

Sean White

2014 IREC Trainer of the Year, HeatSpring / White House Energy Inc. / Sean White Solar / Norcal Solar

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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... Learn more

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Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?

This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. The lecture video and other materials are available any time.

How long do I have access to the materials?

For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.

Is there a certificate of completion?

Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.

Can I register multiple people?

Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your team.

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