About this course

Supercharge your career in utility-scale solar! This is a structured program designed to prepare you for a leadership role on utility-scale solar construction projects.

Dive into the fastest growing segment in the industry with this all-access pass to understanding the ins and outs of utility-scale solar construction, from the ground up.

What you'll learn:
  • Solar industry market dynamics
  • Electrical fundamentals for PV sites
  • Industry-specific project management practices
  • Construction process deep-dive
  • Construction drawings comprehension: electrical, civil, and mechanical 
  • Quality management best practices
  • Operations and maintenance strategies
  • Career planning and advancement

Perfect for:
  • Aspiring Solar Project Managers
  • Site Superintendents
  • Future VPs of Construction or Operations
  • Anyone looking to lead in utility-scale solar
With sustained growth and a very positive future outlook, it's a great time to invest in developing your knowledge of the utility-scale solar industry.

Subjects covered

Solar Design and Installation Inspection, O&M Utility-Scale

Bundle outline

6 courses
13 - 15 hours to complete
Course 1 • 2 modules
Utility-Scale Solar PV Fundamentals
Module 1 • 3 assignments
Growth of the Solar Industry

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Module 2 • 9 assignments
Basics of Solar PV

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Conclusion • 3 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!

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Course 2 • 4 modules
Utility-Scale Solar Construction & Project Management
Welcome • 4 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.

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Module 1 • 15 assignments
Engineering and Procurement

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Module 2 • 7 assignments
Development & Owners Engineering

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Module 3 • 26 assignments
Construction

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Module 4 • 7 assignments
Commissioning, Testing & Next Steps

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Conclusion • 5 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!

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Course 3 • 3 modules
Understanding Utility-Scale Solar Construction Drawings
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.

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Module 1 • 3 assignments
Introduction to the Course

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Module 2 • 8 assignments
Basics of Drawings

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Module 3 • 13 assignments
Details of Drawings

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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!

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Course 4 • 2 modules
Quality Management in Utility-Scale Solar Construction
Welcome • 5 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.

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Module 1 • 6 assignments
Quality Management Principles

In this section, we’re going to first lay the groundwork for quality management – explaining why it’s so important in all construction activities, but particularly utility scale solar… and detailing how quality is a topic that has an outsized effect on many other critical processes and systems on a project… and can affect safety, schedule, budget and client relationships.

We’ll then look at some wider quality management principles – gaining a general understanding of concepts like customer focus, continual improvement, process based planning and using data to make good decisions.

And finally, we’ll wrap up this section by diving into Quality Assurance and Quality Control – or QA/QC. These are two concepts that are often used in the same breath, and many people don’t actually understand the core differences between these two components of a quality management system – so I think it’s worthwhile spending some time discussing the differences and interactions between QA and QC.

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Module 2 • 7 assignments
Ensuring Quality in Utility Scale Solar Construction

We’ll begin by reemphazing the importance of planning – and how critical it is to go into projects well prepared. We’ll talk in depth about best practices for quality management in solar construction, and dive deep into the various inspections that need to be undertaken at each step of the build.

We’ll then spend some time talking about drawings, and making sure that we have a thorough understanding of why well detailed engineering drawings, solid revision control and good RFI processes are so critical for a high quality project.

We’ll touch base on quality documentation, and best practices for designing and managing this paperwork.

And then we’ll finish up by going through lessons learned procedures and how to ensure ongoing improvement is a part of your teams’ culture.

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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!

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Course 5 • 3 modules
Introduction to Utility-Scale Solar Operations & Maintenance
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.

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Module 1 • 5 assignments
Introduction to Utility Scale Solar Operations & Maintenance

This presentation provides a high level introduction to the course - which focuses on Utility Scale Solar Operations and Maintenance. It highlights the incredible growth of solar PV that's currently occurring both in the US and globally, and dives into the job opportunities that are being created due to this rapid acceleration in deployment.

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Module 2 • 13 assignments
Basics of Solar O&M

This presentation provides an introduction to the fundamentals of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for solar power plants. It covers essential topics such as the purpose of routine inspections, key components that require regular maintenance, and the importance of proactive maintenance strategies. You'll learn about the critical role of O&M in ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of solar power plants, as well as the basic tools and techniques used in the field. This foundation is crucial for anyone entering the solar industry or looking to understand the basics of solar O&M.

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Module 3 • 13 assignments
Advanced Solar O&M

This presentation delves deeper into the complexities of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for large-scale solar power plants. It covers advanced topics such as predictive maintenance, the use of SCADA systems, detailed performance analysis, and the integration of advanced technologies like drones and thermal imaging for inspections. You'll also explore the importance of vegetation management, asset tracking, and remote troubleshooting.

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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!

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Course 6 • 3 modules
Career Path: Leadership in Utility-Scale Solar Construction
Module 1 • 4 assignments
Learn more about this career path

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Module 2 • 8 assignments
Interviews and perspectives from people doing these jobs

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Module 3 • 3 assignments
Tips for Expanding your Career Opportunities

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Continuing Education Units

Approved for the following CEUs

  • NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours
  • NABCEP JTA
  • NABCEP RE Elective
  • NABCEP PV Associate Renewal

NABCEP Registered Provider

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

Instructor

Andy Nyce

Sr. Director of Project Management, Erthos Inc.

I'm Andy Nyce - originally from New Zealand, but I've spent the last nine years in the United States in a range of engineering, construction, project management and quality control roles in the large scale renewables industry. I've been directly involved in over 2GW of execution at every level of installation, management and commissioning. I'm currently the Sr. Director...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 1 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 For Teams page to get a group discount.

Reviews

4.7
Based on 316 reviews from the 6 courses in this bundle
10/06/2025

Great course for you to take the first steps in a career in utility-scale solar project management!

Tim Rooney
Senior Project Manager, Stark Tech
08/16/2025

Shawn Klauser
07/23/2025

I really got a lot out of this class because this is my first introduction to Solar O&M.

Emmett Harris

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