Solar
NABCEP
Marketing and Sales
Business Growth
Selling & Developing Commercial-Industrial Solar
About this course
Commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities represent a huge untapped market for the solar industry. This includes schools, hospitals, shopping malls, factories, warehouses and many other types of commercial buildings. Rooftop solar (also called behind-the-meter solar) can reduce a facility owner’s power bill by 50 to 75%. So why doesn’t everyone have a solar power plant on their roof? Hopefully someday soon everyone will!
In this course, we will explore C&I solar from the perspective of the facility owner, the solar professional (installer, EPC, developer), and the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction).
We answer some of the key design and economic questions:
- What types of facilities are best suited to rooftop solar?
- What are the costs and benefits of going solar?
- Roof vs. ground mount considerations?
- How do available space, roof condition, the cost of power, and net metering rules factor in?
- How do you properly size a solar PV system to offset 100% of the building load?
- What are some equipment options in terms of modules, racking and inverters?
- What are the challenges and opportunities in key markets across the US?
- What role do incentives and legislation play?
- What are the fire safety and worker safety considerations?
We conclude with some case studies, including manufacturing and logistics, schools, healthcare and retail industries. Join us for this comprehensive course to effectively sell and install solar for C&I clients!
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
12 modules
6 - 8 hours to complete
5:25 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 2 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 2 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
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Considerations for the Facility Owner and Operator
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Considerations for the Facility Owner and Operator
- Considerations for the facility owner and operator (20:00 minutes) Preview
- PDF Module 1 Slides - Considerations for the Facility Owner (.pdf)
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Site Assessment
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Site Assessment
In this section, we discuss what makes a building good for solar?
- Site Assessment - what makes a building good or bad for solar? (42:12 minutes)
- PDF Slides - Site Assessment – what makes a building good (or bad) for solar? (.pdf)
Module 3 • 2 assignments
The Site Visit
Module 3 • 2 assignments
The Site Visit
- The Site Visit - a deep dive into the facility, infrastructure, roof space/access/condition, roof vs ground etc. (25:53 minutes)
- PDF Slides - The Site Visit - Module 3 (.pdf)
Module 4 • 3 assignments
Initial Design & Permitting
Module 4 • 3 assignments
Initial Design & Permitting
- Initial Design (sizing, layout) and Permitting - the 'meat' of a solar project (35:05 minutes)
- Site assessment, initial design and sizing
- PDF Slides - Design, Sizing and Permitting (Module 4) (.pdf)
Module 5 • 2 assignments
Interconnection to the Grid (Behind-the-Meter)
Module 5 • 2 assignments
Interconnection to the Grid (Behind-the-Meter)
- Interconnection to the Grid (16:34 minutes)
- Interconnection to the Grid (.pdf)
Module 6 • 2 assignments
Financial Modeling
Module 6 • 2 assignments
Financial Modeling
- Financial Modeling (38:54 minutes)
- PDF Slides - Financial Modeling (.pdf)
Module 7 • 2 assignments
Presenting the Opportunity to Decision Makers
Module 7 • 2 assignments
Presenting the Opportunity to Decision Makers
- Presenting the Opportunity to Decision Makers (37:01 minutes)
- Presenting the Opportunity to Decision Makers (.pdf)
Module 8 • 2 assignments
Answering Common Questions from Decision Makers
Module 8 • 2 assignments
Answering Common Questions from Decision Makers
- Answering Common Questions from Decision Makers (42:50 minutes)
- PDF Slides - Answering Common Questions from Decision Makers (.pdf)
Module 9 • 2 assignments
Case Studies
Module 9 • 2 assignments
Case Studies
- Case Studies - (41:45 minutes)
- PDF Slides - Case Studies - sales in real life (.pdf)
Module 10 • 2 assignments
Other Considerations
Module 10 • 2 assignments
Other Considerations
- Other Considerations (25:18 minutes)
- PDF Slides - Other Considerations - Module 10 (.pdf)
Conclusion • 3 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
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!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours
- NABCEP RE Elective
Approved NABCEP CEU Hours
| NABCEP Credential | Advanced Hours for Exam | Recertification CEU Hours | NEC | JTA | RE Elective | Building or Fire Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | 0 | |
| 0 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | 0 | |
| 0 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | 0 | |
| 5.5 | 5.5 | 0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 0 | |
| 0 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | 0 |
NABCEP Registered Provider
This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.
Instructor
Tim Montague
President, Clean Power Consulting Group
Tim Montague, M.S. is a solar project developer and consultant working on C&I and community solar and storage across the US. He is the president of the Clean Power Consulting Group which is a mission driven solar company helping to speed the energy transition. He holds the NABCEP PV Technical Sales certification and has originated and developed over 50 MW of solar...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 10 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 every Monday. 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.