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About this course

Gain a comprehensive technical understanding of residential, commercial and utility-scale solar-plus-storage systems, as well as expert insight on policy, financial models, and emerging markets and opportunities.

An expert in energy storage, instructor Wes Kennedy has been a key team member on some of the world’s most cutting edge solar-plus-storage projects.

This course covers everything from an overview of all types of energy storage technologies, to different battery chemistry pro and con, to applications of solar plus storage at the residential, commercial and industrial level, both on and off grid. Then we spend some time on regulations, codes and policies, then financial models. The course wraps up with a capstone project whereby students prepare a complete proposal for one of the applications in the Solar plus Storage space.

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Learning Objectives

  • Contemporary applications and equipment for stand-alone off-grid projects
  • Modern grid-connected residential applications
  • Grid-connected commercial and institutional storage markets
  • Applications and technologies for utility-scale energy storage systems
  • Power converters used in modern energy storage systems
  • Financial models emerging to drive the storage market forward
  • Local, state and national policies and programs impacting the energy storage market
  • What is real vs simply marketing hype
  • Microgrid Applications

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Watch a sample video assignment from this course

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Course outline

9 modules • 54 assignments • 15:45 hours of video lectures

Welcome • 3 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 : WATCH FIRST (04:50 minutes) Preview
  • Set up email notifications and your student profile
  • Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 5 assignments
Introduction and Advanced Energy Storage Technologies

The first module introduces you to the course and outlines the weekly topics to be covered. Kennedy will present a general case for energy storage, cover some basics such as power, energy and battery capacity ratings, and then dive right in to advanced storage technologies with a focus on electro-chemical batteries. We’ll wrap up the first week with a discussion of electrical grid types, including microgrids, and related energy storage opportunities.

  • Week One Part 1 (36:54 minutes)
  • Week one Part 2 (29:25 minutes) Preview
  • Battery technology overview, history and looking ahead
  • Bill Gates on the Climate Crisis
  • Week 1 Slides in PDF (.pdf)
Module 2 • 8 assignments
State-of-the-Art Stand-Alone Storage Systems OFF GRID

In this module we’ll look at contemporary applications and equipment for stand-alone off-grid projects. This market is experiencing tremendous growth globally. Wes will present technical information for the design and deployment of systems ranging from advanced off-grid residences to remote, stand-alone commercial-scale resorts and industrial facilities.

  • Off Grid, Week 2 Part 1 (22:40 minutes)
  • Off Grid, Week 2 Part 2 (29:20 minutes)
  • Off Grid, Week 2 Part 3 (26:51 minutes)
  • Off Grid, Week 2 Part 4 (31:01 minutes)
  • Week 2 Part 5 (30:41 minutes)
  • Week 2 part 6 (26:07 minutes)
  • Load Profile Spreadsheet (.xls)
  • Week 2 Slides PDF (.pdf)
Module 3 • 4 assignments
The Residential Grid-Connected Market

The third module’s focus is modern grid-connected residential applications. We’ll cover technology, design parameters, example markets and financial drivers, as well as a technical case study. We’ll take a forward-looking approach to applications including grid-tie with battery backup, self-consumption schemes and system aggregation for grid support.

  • Residential Storage buyers guide 2020
  • Grid Connected Residential storage Week 3 Part 1 (40:21 minutes)
  • Grid Connected Residential storage week 3 part 2 (27:41 minutes)
  • Week 3 slides PDF (.pdf)
Module 4 • 5 assignments
The Commercial and Industrial Grid-Connected Markets

In the fourth week, we’ll dive into grid-connected commercial and institutional storage markets. Topics include benefit stacking, peak shaving, frequency regulation and financial arbitrage. We’ll also explore the status of codes and standards related to energy storage such as NEC requirements, fire codes and UL certification. We’ll wrap up the week with a case study that includes market position, finances, and equipment and design variables for an example commercial-scale energy storage system.

  • Week 4 Part 1 Commercial and Industrial Grid Tie (28:49 minutes) Preview
  • Week4 Part 2 Commercial and Industrial Grid Connected (32:42 minutes)
  • Week4 Part 3 Commercial and Industrial Grid Connected (25:04 minutes)
  • Week 4 Part 4 Commercial Grid Tie (28:14 minutes)
  • Week 4 Slides PDF (.pdf)
Module 5 • 4 assignments
The Utility-Scale Energy Storage Market

This week we'll discuss the new wave of applications and technologies for utility-scale energy storage systems. Topics include ramp rate control, peak shifting and ancillary services. We'll finish with a case study that outlines the financial drivers and design parameters for an example utility-scale storage system.

  • Week 5 part 1 Utility scale (50:06 minutes)
  • Utility Scale Week 5 part 2 (36:57 minutes)
  • Utility Scale week 5 part 3 (54:54 minutes)
  • Week 5 Slides PDF (.pdf)
Module 6 • 6 assignments
Energy Storage Management Systems and a review of Codes and Standards

This module has a technology focus on Energy Storage Management Controls. We then do a detailed overview of NEC Article 706, and look at the nested hierarchy of codes and standards pertaining to Energy Storage Systems.

  • Week 6 Part 1 (39:37 minutes) Preview
  • Week 6 Part 2 (28:15 minutes)
  • week 6 Part 3 (18:59 minutes)
  • week 6 part 4 (34:14 minutes)
  • Week 6 part 5 (17:30 minutes)
  • Week 6 Slides PDF (.pdf)
Module 7 • 5 assignments
All About Finances

Innovative financial models drove the rapid growth of grid-connected PV systems. Most experts agree that the mainstreaming of energy storage will follow a similar developmental path. This module explores the various financial models emerging to drive the storage market forward. You’ll learn where financially attractive solar-plus-storage projects are happening today as well as up-and-coming markets.

  • Week 7, part 1 (42:23 minutes)
  • Week 7 Part 2 (30:49 minutes)
  • Week 7 part 3 (34:09 minutes)
  • Week 7 Part 4 (19:04 minutes)
  • Week 7 Slides PDF (.pdf)
Module 8 • 7 assignments
The Policy Puzzle

What policies are in place that are helping, or hurting, the solar-plus-storage marketplace? What’s on the horizon? In week 8, you’ll get a handle on local, state and national programs impacting the energy storage market and policy obstacles that need to be removed.

  • Week 8 Article to read
  • Week 8 part 1 (02:04 minutes)
  • Week 8, part 2 (26:23 minutes)
  • week 8 part 3 (16:40 minutes)
  • week 8 part 4 (23:38 minutes)
  • Carbon Pricing Video
  • Week 8 Slides PDF (.pdf)
Module 9 • 3 assignments
Key Takeaways and Capstone Project: Designing a Solar + Storage System

We’ll review the important takeaways from the course and prepare you for the capstone project. For your capstone project, you’ll select a viable energy storage market and application and put what you’ve learned to work. You’ll design a solar-plus-storage system, specify the power conditioning and control equipment, and create a financial overview for the project.

  • Key Concepts and the Capstone Project (49:14 minutes)
  • Capstone Project
  • Week 9 Slides PDF (.pdf)
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

Continuing Education Units

Approved for the following CEUs

  • NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours
  • NABCEP NEC
  • 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
30 30 3 12 6 0
0 12 0 0 0 0
30 30 0 18 6 0
24 30 3 12 6 0
24 30 3 12 6 0
30 30 0 18 12 0
24 30 3 12 6 0

NABCEP Registered Provider

This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.

Instructor

  • Wes Kennedy

    Principal, WeSolar plus
    View profile

    Wes has focused his career on design and application engineering in the solar PV plus energy storage deployment sector, currently with Dynapower Corporation. He managed sales engineering with Fronius inverters and was the senior application engineer for Blue Planet Energy's C&I sector and SMA America’s Hybrid Energy Solutions group. In these positions, project scope... Learn more

Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 9 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.
Who should take this course? What skill set do you need to get most out of this course?
The instructor Wes Kennedy is very accessible and opens the course up to a wide range of professionals. Typical students are existing professionals in solar who are attending the course for guidance on a specific solar plus storage project they are working on. The highest concentration includes business owners, engineers and project managers. The course is packed with material and primarily focused on experienced professionals, however even those new to solar are welcome and can get a lot out of the course if they don't mind being potentially in over their head for some aspects of the course. We find that every student learns in different ways and sometimes want to be thrown into an immersive experience, so all are welcome here.
Do you discuss specific battery systems? Specifically Sonnen?
In the course, Wes discusses several different technology players in the space. Wes is familiar with Sonnen and other manufacturers and will be in the course during the 9-week session to answer questions on the discussion board. Since this is such a dynamic and quickly changing space, the topics discussed in each session vary quite a bit based on the current state of technology.

The thrust of the class is to teach attendees what they need to understand in order to make informed technology selection decisions now and in the future.

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 you tell me the average weekly time commitment for this class including homework? Obviously this will vary with knowledge and skill level, so maybe you could give me an hourly range.
We typically say to plan 5-10 hours per week for this course so a total of ~70 hours of work. It does vary based on the student, both in terms of experience and also how much energy they want to put into the course and capstone project. The course videos are all pre-recorded and all the material is available at all times, so you can always work ahead a bit or catch up if you have a busy week.

You get access to all of the course materials as soon as you enroll. During the 9-week session, the instructor Wes Kennedy will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board and reviewing required project work.

You will continue to have access to all of the course materials for a full year after the session end date and can complete the course on your own and print a certificate of completion. So you have the option to either work ahead and have questions ready for Wes, spread all that work out over a year timeframe or try to push through it all with the rest of the group during the 9-week instructor-led session.

Can I register multiple people?
Yes please visit our HeatSpring for Groups page to get a group discount.
Is this course just a 9 week time line to finish, or are there specific days that the online session must be attended?
There are no specific days you need to attend or time that you need to be logged in. You can begin the course materials as soon as you enroll, the 9-week timeframe is when the instructor will be in the course answering questions and reviewing your project work. We have to assignments organized in weekly modules to help motivate students through completing the course and also to keep the class discussion on track.

You will continue to have access to all of the course materials for a full year after the session end date and can complete the course on your own and print a certificate of completion.

Can I access all of the course materials with a Mac?
Yes everything in this course is accessible on any device with a modern internet browser and a connection speed fast enough for video. For more information you can view this article on our supported browsers.
Who should take this course?
The instructor Wes Kennedy is very accessible and opens the course up to a wide range of professionals. Typical students are existing professionals in solar who are attending the course for guidance on a specific solar plus storage project they are working on. The highest concentration includes business owners, engineers and project managers. The course is packed with material and primarily focused on experienced professionals, however even those new to solar are welcome and can get a lot out of the course if they don't mind being potentially in over their head for some aspects of the course. We find that every student learns in different ways and sometimes want to be thrown into an immersive experience, so all are welcome here.

Reviews

4.3
Based on 81 reviews
244
students have taken this course
03/07/2023

The name says it well, this was very comprehensive! There was a lot of useful information, and it was all shared in a very accessible, understandable manner. I learned a lot and enjoyed the depth of the information presented. Highly recommended!

Nick Matthes
Project Manager, MREA
02/04/2021

The course was up to date, extensive and it was a pleasure to listen to Wes sharing his experince on solar plus storage topics

Sierakowski Mateusz
02/03/2021

As a master's degree student in the field of energy storage and a bachelor of energy engineering, I highly recommend this course to people that want to start their career in the Energy Storage field. It is a great bridge between theoretical concepts provided by universities and practical knowledge possessed only by the industry experts.

Godlewski Wojciech

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