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.