HeatSpring Membership now includes "Electric Utility Distribution Equipment"

Solar
Design and Installation
Batteries and Storage

Comprehensive Solar Plus Storage

Wes Kennedy • Last updated 04/2022

4.3/5 (view ratings)
244 students
9 modules
CEUs
15:45 hours
55 assignments

Course description

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.

Ready To Sign Up Today? Click Here to Enroll

Learning Objectives

Participants in this course will upon completion of this course, be able to:

  • • 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

Preview the course material

Check out a free preview of the course by clicking the button below. This is a live assignment from the course and will give you a good sense for what the course will be like.

Free course preview!

Continuing Education Units

Approved for: 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
24 30 3 12 6 0
24 30 3 12 6 0
30 30 0 12 6 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.

Get NABCEP Certifications

Full course outline

Welcome - 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.

  • Important Information About This Course - New Updated Materials
  • 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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

Wes Kennedy

Principal, WeSolar plus

Wes has foused his career on design and application engineering in the microgrid deployment sector, currently with Blue Planet Energy. He managed sales engineering with Fronius inverters and was the senior application engineer for SMA America’s Hybrid Energy Solutions group. In this position, project scope ranged from residential PV with battery backup to MW-scale... Learn more

Ratings

4.3
80 reviews

244 students have taken this course

by Nick Matthes, Project Manager, MREA 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!

by Sierakowski Mateusz 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

by Godlewski Wojciech 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.

by Stuart Kriendler, Managing Director, BE Solar (Bermuda Engineering Co. Ltd.) 05/08/2020

Wes Kennedy and Heatspring are doing a phenomenal job and providing the knowledge needed to stay abreast of the important trends and economic and technical aspects of the solar and storage industry, well done, very thorough.

by Bob Solger, Managing Partner, Solar Design Studio 04/21/2019

It is worth the investment of time and money.

view all ratings

$995

Rolling Admissions

Enroll and Start Instantly

Free course preview!

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.

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.

Show all FAQs

Free Courses on Solar, Design and Installation, Batteries and Storage

Solar Design and Installation Batteries and Storage

Understanding Residential and Commercial Energy Storage

Learn the elements of energy storage for residential and commercial clients with this introductory overview of the field, led by expert Chris LaForge

4.5
798
Christopher LaForge
Free
Solar Batteries and Storage

Commercial Photovoltaic Design - Integrating Commercial Scale Storage

Learn how commercial scale storage will affect the market for commercial clients, some of the major players that are in the current expanding field and see how small utilities will benefit from this scale of storage added to Commercial PV arrays.

4.1
740
Christopher LaForge
Free
Solar Energy Finance Batteries and Storage

How to Use Green Button Data to Analyze Solar + Storage Project Scenarios

In this webinar, co-hosted by UtilityAPI & Energy Toolbase. We will review and demonstrate the value of Green Button Data (aka interval meter data) for use in Distributed Energy Resource project development activities.

4.7
125
Adam Gerza
Free
Solar Batteries and Storage

How Storage Paves the Way for the Grid of the Future

This one hour lecture builds the case for battery energy storage systems and then discusses specific use cases for those systems.

4.5
422
Wes Kennedy
Free
Solar Batteries and Storage

C&I Energy Storage Market in 2021: Identifying the Best Projects

Identify the characteristics of the most attractive commercial & industrial (C&I) energy storage projects, including rate tariffs, incentives, and load profile types. Plus, how developers and host customers can best capture the other ESS value streams

4.9
44
Adam Gerza
Free
Solar Batteries and Storage

Future-proofing Solar PV savings with Energy Storage

This course covers an overview of the "future-proofing solar savings" concept. The changes being proposed and implemented depend on state and utility territory, but the one general commodity that most share is that they typically erode the savings

4.4
144
Adam Gerza
Free

Self-Consumption: model & optimize energy storage in self-powered mode

This course will review the concept of modeling and optimizing energy storage in self-powered mode within the Energy Toolbase platform.

4.6
63
Adam Gerza
Free

The use of technology such as cookies allows HeatSpring to operate and improve the functionality of our website and derive insights about our audience.

You can read more about our privacy policy here.