About this course

September 21-25, 2026. Spend a week with Sean White at the NorCal Solar Training Center in The Oakland Redwoods, CA.

Not only is this workshop going to be the best for learning about solar, storage, microgrids, bidirectional EVs and water systems, it will be the experience of a lifetime. You will remember it better and more fondly than any of your vacations, while at the same time making the World a better place by making renewables rewarding and by experiencing nature with friends around a campfire, just like our ancestors did every night.

What You'll Learn

•       Hands-on PV installation, system design, and troubleshooting
•       Energy storage systems design and integration
•       NEC code requirements for PV and energy storage
•       Operations and Maintenance (O&M) best practices
•       Real-world system diagnostics and problem-solving
•       Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and certification prep

Earn Continuing Education & Prerequisite Credits Toward NABCEP Certifications

•       NABCEP PV Associate (PVA)
•       NABCEP Operations & Maintenance Associate (OMAT)
•       NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP)
•       NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP)
•       NABCEP PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS)
•       NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS)
•       NABCEP PV Installation Specialist (PVIS)
•       NABCEP PV System Inspector (PVSI)
 
Accommodations & Setting: Located on 42 acres of beautiful rural California redwood forest, our training center provides a unique, immersive learning environment away from distractions. Ironically, we are in the middle of the San Francisco Bay Area, conveniently located close to 3 international airports, Silicon Valley, the Pacific Ocean.

Camping: Included at no extra cost (tent, RV or classroom camping available). Campfires, songs, and guitars at night. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing in the reservoir. Pets allowed, partners allowed, everything good allowed.

Limited Airbnb-style accommodations: Also available on-site. Inquire for details and pricing.

Saturday after class, the first 5 that sign up will go sailing out of Pier 39 on the San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge.

About the Training Center:
The training center will demonstrate real working AC/DC🤘 microgrids, energy storage systems, vehicle to everything (V2X), rooftop solar, utility-scale solar, trackers, ground mounted solar, pumped hydroelectric storage, water systems, manufacturer training, repowering, maintenance, and more!

Learning Objectives

  • Hands-on PV installation, system design, and troubleshooting
  • Energy storage systems design and integration
  • NEC code requirements for PV and energy storage
  • Real-world system diagnostics and problem-solving
  • Operations and Maintenance (O&M) best practices
  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and certification prep

Course outline

3 modules
40 hours to complete
Welcome • 2 assignments
In-Person Training Happens September 21-25, 2026 near Oakland, CA.

Sean White is building the NorCal Solar Training Center on 42 acres near Oakland, CA.

Loading assignments…
Module 1 • 0 assignments
In-Person Training

Not only is this workshop going to be the best for learning about solar, storage, microgrids, bidirectional EVs and water systems, it will be the experience of a lifetime. You will remember it better and more fondly than any of your vacations, while at the same time making the World a better place by making renewables rewarding and by
experiencing nature with friends around a campfire, just like our ancestors did every night.

Loading assignments…
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!

Loading assignments…

Instructor

Sean White

2014 IREC Trainer of the Year, HeatSpring / White House Energy Inc. / Sean White Solar / American Solar Energy Society (ASES)

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...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. 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.
Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?
Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.
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 For Teams page to get a group discount.
Where is this happening?
Located on 42 acres of beautiful rural California redwood forest, our training center provides a unique, immersive learning environment away from distractions. Ironically, we are in the middle of the San Francisco Bay Area, conveniently located close to 3 international airports, Silicon Valley, the Pacific Ocean.
Can I camp there?
Yes. Included at no extra cost (tent, RV or classroom camping available). Campfires, songs, and guitars at night. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing in the reservoir. Pets allowed, partners allowed, everything good allowed.

$1,995

Take this course