About this course

If you need 58-hours of Advanced PV Training in order to sit for a NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification exam there are several different pathways which you should review to pick the correct course.

After completing the first course, you receive 18 advanced NABCEP credits. Completing the second course gets you 40 advanced NABCEP credits, for a total of 58. HeatSpring is a NABCEP Registered Provider

Not Included: "Solar Photovoltaic Basics" and "Solar PV Engineering and Installation" books

The 18-Hour Solar PV Boot Camp course is based on Dr. Sean White's NABCEP PV Associate Exam preparation book: "Solar Photovoltaic Basics." The 40-Hour Advanced PV Installer course is based on Dr. White's NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification exam prep book: "Solar PV Engineering and Installation." These books are not included in the course price. They can be purchased for about $35 through Amazon or other online booksellers.

Alternate Pathways for NABCEP PV Associate Exam or Energy Storage Content

If you are interested in also earning the NABCEP PV Associate credential by taking and passing the PV Associate exam OR if you are interested in Energy Storage please review our 58-hour Advanced PV Training pathways.

Subjects covered

Solar NABCEP Design and Installation Certification Prep

Bundle outline

3 courses
58 - 60 hours to complete
Course 1 • 6 modules
18-hour Solar PV Boot Camp
Welcome • 12 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
History of Solar, Markets and Applications for Solar PV, and Safety Basics

You'll learn about the beginnings of solar PV technology, current markets and applications for the technology, and the basic safety considerations and requirements for solar PV installers. Topics include: different types of PV systems, OSHA, National Electrical Code (NEC), arc flashes, overcurrent protection devices, fall protection, and lockout-tagout (LOTO).

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Module 2 • 15 assignments
Electricity Basics + Solar Energy Fundamentals

This module covers concepts, definitions, terminology, and formulas related to electricity. It also lays out the science, data, and principles you must understand to grasp how solar energy is collected. Topics include: Ohm's Law, power, energy, voltage, current, batteries, multimeters, measurement, types of DC connections, transmission, insolation data, solar time, sun paths, shading, and solar radiation.

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Module 3 • 17 assignments
PV Module Fundamentals and System Components

This module covers how solar photovoltaic (PV) technology works, the materials used to make PV modules, module efficiency, important formulas, temperature and voltage considerations, and how to test a PV system. It also provides definitions for the primary components that comprise a solar PV system.

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Module 4 • 22 assignments
PV System Sizing and Electrical Design

This module covers the factors to consider when sizing a grid-tied or off-grid system, system losses, tilt, factors that increase or decrease PV system output, single-line diagrams, ampacity, Ohm's Law, voltage drop, charge controllers, AC- and DC-coupled battery systems, battery charging stages, overcurrent protection devices, and determining voltage ranges.

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Module 5 • 23 assignments
PV System Mechanical Design, Performance Analysis, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

In this module, you will study PV System Mechanical Design, which goes along with Chapter 9 in Solar Photovoltaic Basics.

Also included in this module is Performance Analysis, Maintenance and Troubleshooting which goes along with Chapter 10 in Solar Photovoltaic Basics, which means you are getting close to the end!

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Module 6 • 26 assignments
Voltage Temperature Calculations + Practice Exams

In this module, you'll learn about voltage temperature calculations, review some useful resources and take exams to see how well you've mastered the material presented during the course. These exams can be repeated here as many times as you want and are highly recommended to be used to prepare for the NABCEP PVA exam!

Note: Since 2019, NABCEP has not had any voltage temperature calculations on their PVA exams.

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Conclusion • 7 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 • 6 modules
40-Hour NABCEP Advanced PV Certification Training and CEUs
Welcome • 21 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 • 55 assignments
Introduction and the National Electrical Code (NEC)

In this opening module you will get to know your instructor, explore various solar resources, do some foundational reading, learn about important terms and concepts that you'll need to memorize or at least familiarize yourself with, and do an in-depth review of the sections of the National Electrical Code (NEC) that relate to solar PV design and installation.

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Module 2 • 21 assignments
National Electrical Code - Article 690 - Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

This module, you will go through Article 690 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Familiarity with this part of the NEC is critical for solar designers and installers.

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Module 3 • 18 assignments
National Electrical Code (NEC) - Other Solar and Storage Related Articles

There are many NEC Articles besides Article 690 that are important to know about. This includes:
Article 705 Interconnected Power Production Sources
Article 706 Energy Storage Systems
Article 710 Stand-Alone Systems
Article 712 DC Microgrids
Article 625 EV Power Transfer Station
And more!

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Module 4 • 23 assignments
Safety, Wire Sizing, Building Codes and Fire Codes

Always good to be safe, so safely size your wires and to understand some of the building and fire codes. For the NABCEP exam, do not worry so much about Bill's Building Codes and Fire Codes, however it is important information and for those of you looking for NABCEP Continuing Education (CE) this is a requirement.

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Module 5 • 9 assignments
Practice Exam for NABCEP PV Certification and Trig

Here we have a full practice exam that will prepare you for the NABCEP Certification exams. Be sure to check that you also have access to other NABCEP Certification exams which is organized as a separate course. Also covered in the module are trigonometry concepts you'll need for some solar calculations. The NABCEP certification exams have been known to have 1 or 2 questions that you can use trig to solve.

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Module 6 • 71 assignments
Question-by-Question Practice Exam Review

Review each question from the practice exam to understand how to arrive at the correct answer.

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Conclusion • 11 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 • 1 modules
NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Practice Exam
Module 1 • 16 assignments
NABCEP PVIP Certification Practice Exams

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Continuing Education Units

Approved for the following CEUs

  • NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours
  • NABCEP NEC
  • NABCEP JTA
  • NABCEP RE Elective
  • NABCEP PV Associate Renewal
  • NABCEP Building or Fire Code

NABCEP Registered Provider

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

Instructors

Sean White

2014 IREC Trainer of the Year, HeatSpring / White House Energy Inc. / Sean White Solar / Norcal Solar

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...

Bill Brooks

Principal, Brooks Engineering

Bill Brooks PE, of Brooks Engineering LLC, has over 30 years of experience designing, installing, and evaluating grid-connected PV systems. More than 12,000 installers and inspectors have attended his courses throughout the U.S. and abroad. His field troubleshooting skills have been valuable in determining where problems occur to focus training on those issues of...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 0 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 Teams page to get a group discount.

Reviews

4.7
Based on 1007 reviews from the 3 courses in this bundle
10/02/2025

I highly recommend this course! Sean is a fantastic instructor and delivers the course content in a fun engaging way! He’s encouraging and give lots of examples of the many different types of PV systems and equipment. He covers design, installation, troubleshooting and maintenance. Sean covers the math portions very well with lots of practice problems given that build on each other. And to tie it all together, there are LOTS of practice test questions with detailed explanations. There's a reason Sean White is an industry leader. He delivers!

Paul Wheelhouse
09/12/2025

It was tough for me and it affected me and my family during the recent California fires. I reached out to Sean for help with the payment, and he came through. I truly appreciate this, and it means a lot to me. I promise I'll return and pay the remaining amount, Sean. I really like this course and its updated content, with clear explanations for each question. I highly recommend it to anyone who's serious about learning and becoming an expert. It's very helpful. Thanks, Sean.

Sarmen Khodabakhshian
09/05/2025

This course was a great learning experience. It provided both technical knowledge and practical skills that I can use immediately. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in this field.

Shahzaib Khan

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