About this course
With the residential solar market continuing to grow exponentially, so does the need for system maintenance. Now more than ever, the solar industry needs qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable service technicians to maintain the reliability of deployed solar assets.
In this course, students will learn the basics of O&M, safety precautions, service site visit best practices, preventative maintenance measures, with a primary focus on field troubleshooting where instructor Keith Rohman walks through real-world residential solar O&M issues and their solutions. Keith walks students through his process to address each corrective maintenance challenge, providing a framework for students to work through when solving issues on their own jobsites.
This is an advanced course. It is recommended that students have previous experience in safely installing residential solar systems prior to enrolling.
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Course outline
5 modules • 63 assignments • 6:51 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 7 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.
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Meet Keith - Your Instructor for the Course (03:02 minutes)
- Keith's Solar Career Journey (05:55 minutes)
- Meet Brit - Supporting Instructor for the Course (01:11 minutes)
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Intro to O&M (11:20 minutes)
- Safety Basics (15:52 minutes)
Module 1 • 8 assignments
Commissioning
- Introduction to Commissioning (06:51 minutes)
- Free Access to NEC and NFPA 70E
- Mechanical and Electrical Inspections (09:29 minutes)
- Mechanical and Electrical Testing (15:32 minutes)
- System Start Up & Witness Testing (09:20 minutes)
- Monitoring & Communcations (05:40 minutes)
- Project Wrap Up (08:17 minutes)
- Solar United Neighbors - Solar Owner's Manual
Module 2 • 3 assignments
Preventative Maintenance
- Preventive Maintenance Basics (23:38 minutes)
- System Health Checks, P.M. Scopes, and Write-ups (10:49 minutes)
- Thermal Imaging - A Sweet Tool in P.M. (03:30 minutes)
Module 3 • 36 assignments
Reactive Maintenance - Field O&M
- Intro to Reactive Maintenance (02:06 minutes)
- Critter Concerns (08:20 minutes)
- Water Intrusion From Improper Conduit Fittings (14:55 minutes)
- NEMA Bulletin (.pdf)
- Junction Box Failures - Field Case Study 1 (14:43 minutes)
- Inverter Troubleshoot - Blown Fuse (11:45 minutes)
- Testing a Fuse From an AC Disconnect (03:41 minutes)
- Inverter Troubleshoot - Thermal Event (16:13 minutes)
- Intro: Ground Faults and Isolation Faults (06:02 minutes)
- Iso Fault Field Example 1 (Technical Methodology) (08:02 minutes)
- Iso Fault Field Example 1 (Locating and Repairing the Fault) (04:14 minutes)
- Iso Fault Field Example 2 (05:47 minutes)
- Intro To Communications (02:11 minutes)
- Communications Troubleshoot Example 1 (04:22 minutes) Preview
- Communications Troubleshoot Example 2 (03:42 minutes)
- Enphase Technical Brief - Extenders (.pdf)
- Communications Troubleshoot Example 3 (07:54 minutes)
- Intro to Module Level Power Electronics (MLPEs) (07:43 minutes)
- MLPE Service - Field Example 1 (13:05 minutes)
- Broken and Damaged Modules (09:57 minutes)
- Introduction To Roof Leaks (06:42 minutes)
- Roof Leak Example 1 (05:50 minutes)
- Roof Leak Example 2 (06:47 minutes)
- Bad Breaker - Example 1 (08:58 minutes)
- Testing a Breaker (03:09 minutes)
- Bad Breaker - Example 2 (12:25 minutes)
- Bad Breaker - Example 3 (03:43 minutes)
- Incorrect Production or Consumption Readings – A Deep Dive into CTs (29:26 minutes)
- Introduction to MC4 Connections (03:43 minutes)
- MC4 Field Issues - Improperly Seated Connections (03:40 minutes)
- MC4 Field Issues - Improper Water Sealing and Crimping (05:02 minutes)
- MC4 Field Issues - Mating of Incompatible Connectors (04:49 minutes)
- Solar Power World on Incompatible Connectors
- MC4 Process - Part 1 (07:06 minutes)
- MC4 Process - Part 2 (06:33 minutes)
- Optional Discussion Board Post: Share one of your O&M service challenges
Module 4 • 3 assignments
Working with Equipment Manufacturers
- Remote Diagnostics (11:51 minutes)
- Importance of Working Equipment Manufacturers (04:02 minutes)
- Energy Storage Manufacturer Installation Training Programs (.pdf)
Module 5 • 2 assignments
O&M Considerations
- Important O&M Considerations (07:18 minutes)
- Taking the NABCEP PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist Exam (05:04 minutes)
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!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- NABCEP RE Elective
- NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours
Approved NABCEP CEU Hours
| NABCEP Credential | Advanced Hours for Exam | Recertification CEU Hours | NEC | JTA | RE Elective | Building or Fire Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 0 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 0 | |
| 0 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 0 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 | 6.5 | 0 | |
| 0 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 | 6.5 | 0 | |
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 0 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 0 | |
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 0 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 0 |
NABCEP Registered Provider
This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.
Instructor
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Keith got his start in the solar industry in 2017 with an entry-level solar installer position in Denver, Colorado. Previously, Keith obtained his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in Renewable Energy. For him, solar energy was a clear and holistic answer to tackle the problems of climate change and challenges people face gaining entry into the... Learn more
