About this course

Building Professionals, imagine a course on solar energy solutions that helps you drive your designs in new and innovative ways while also helping you navigate project requirements. Whether it be an owner’s sustainability goals, a municipality’s energy code or your desire to innovate, we have the solution for you.

In this short course, participants will delve into the intricate world of solar design and attain proficiency of key principals for seamlessly integrating solar solutions into architecture. By exploring the fundamentals of solar technology and introductory design principles, participants will emerge equipped with expertise required to work at the intersection of solar energy and the built environment.

Throughout the course, participants will uncover practical insights into solar panel technology and strategic design strategies essential for realizing the full potential of solar energy in the built environment. Whether you're an architect, engineer, construction professional, solar professional or a curious learner, this course serves as the foundational stepping stone towards unlocking the tangible benefits of sustainable design and energy innovation.

Join us on this transformative journey and empower yourself to lead the charge towards a greener, more sustainable future.

This course includes 2 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Learning Units (LUs).

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Learning Objectives

  • Be able to define architectural solar and explain why it is important.
  • Understand the basics of solar module technology.
  • Understand how solar modules are rated and how that relates to energy.
  • Be able to define the six application categories of architectural solar.
  • Understand key considerations associated with each of the six architectural solar application categories.
  • Identify a range of installation types and where they fit within the architectural solar continuum.

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Course outline

3 modules • 17 assignments • 54 minutes of video lectures

Module 1 • 2 assignments
Orientation and Welcome

Let's meet your instructors for the course, the Architectural Solar Association, and what you'll learn in this free introductory course.

  • Architectural Solar Association - About Us (02:23 minutes)
  • Course Introduction (01:35 minutes) Preview
Module 2 • 9 assignments
Foundational Architectural Solar Concepts

This free short course provides a basis of knowledge on the concept of Architectural Solar and the theory behind the Architectural Solar Continuum.

  • What is Architectural Solar? (06:05 minutes)
  • Slides - What is Architectural Solar? (.pdf)
  • What is Architectural Solar? - Quiz
  • Power vs. Energy (14:49 minutes)
  • Slides - Power vs. Energy (.pdf)
  • Power vs. Energy - Quiz
  • PV Technology Overview (11:16 minutes)
  • Slides - PV Technology Overview (.pdf)
  • PV Technology Overview - Quiz
Module 3 • 3 assignments
The Architectural Solar Continuum

An overview of all the architectural integration categories and their benefits and drawbacks.

  • The Architectural Solar Continuum (18:01 minutes)
  • Slides - The Architectural Solar Continuum (.pdf)
  • The Architectural Solar Continuum - Quiz

Continuing Education Units

Approved for the following CEUs

  • 2 AIA LU

Approved NABCEP CEU Hours

Instructor

  • Chris Klinga

    Technical Director, Architectural Solar Association
    View profile

    Chris has been actively engaged in the solar industry since 2007. He has an extensive background in solar installation design and product development. He has designed on and off grid PV systems, modules and racking systems. During the first decade of his career Chris worked for Lumos Solar, developing and distributing cutting edge solar modules and racking systems that... Learn more

Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?
This 1 module course is delivered entirely online. The lecture video and other materials are available any time. 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 can pre-order but will not be able to access the full course materials or earn a certificate of completion until the course is fully published. Once the course is published any students who have pre-ordered will then have access to the course materials for one year (365 days). 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.

Reviews

4.9
Based on 8 reviews
68
students have taken this course
03/27/2024
Nazir S
03/30/2024

Thank you! This was a very informative course and I enjoyed the excellent presentation. I have been following developments in architectural solar for many years, and I am excited to see it finally begin being adopted at scale. It has always been a conundrum to me that glass, so ubiquitous in architectural applications, was not typically used to produce energy (in fact, any solar exposed surface could be; not just the glass... Building surfaces are expansive, and coupled with ESS, we'd have all the energy we could want, even with modestly efficiencies). Hopefully, one day we'll get there. After all, the Sun's been pretty reliable for the past few BILLION years.

Thomas Schoenborne
President, Advanced Renewable Technologies
04/22/2024
Vikas T

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