About this course
Are you looking to start your own solar business? This course is for you. It provides mentorship, education & support for solar entrepreneurs at any stage.
This course was created and delivered by Kerim Baran, the founder of SolarAcademy. Kerim was co-founder at CivicSolar - a distribution business acquired by CED Greentech in 2019 - but he's built and sold a number of solar and technology businesses.
What you will learn in this course:
By the end of this course you will know the most important elements and key functions of a solar installation business: how to source leads, how to market and sell your services, how to design and permit a solar system, where to get your equipment, key aspects of the installation, construction and interconnection process with the utility, the various solar financing options available for your customers, what is involved in providing maintenance services for existing customers.
Electricians already have most of the qualifications needed to be solar installers, and this course will give you the rest to take the leap into the bright future of solar business. But even if you're not an electrician, or have a product-based business in mind we'd love to have you join us.
Solar professionals understand how the solar industry works but may not have experience starting and running companies. This course is also for you.
Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs (or those considering becoming entrepreneurs) this course includes access to the instructor via discussion board (anytime).
Course outline
8 modules
9:23 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 5 assignments
Orientation Materials
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.
- Meet Kerim Baran (07:40 minutes) Preview
- Kerim's Course Intro (03:30 minutes)
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- What are you working on?
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 3 assignments
Fundamentals and Overview of Solar Energy Systems
Module 1 • 3 assignments
Fundamentals and Overview of Solar Energy Systems
Fundamentals and Overview of Solar Energy Systems
- State of Solar in the US & the World (01:02:48 hours)
- History of Photovoltaic Solar (47:50 minutes)
- Current Trends in Solar Energy (Innovations & Economics) (58:36 minutes)
Module 2 • 6 assignments
Understanding and Communicating the Economics of Solar (for Residential and Commercial Solar Systems)
Module 2 • 6 assignments
Understanding and Communicating the Economics of Solar (for Residential and Commercial Solar Systems)
- IBIS World Report: Solar Panel Installation (February 2022) (.pdf)
- Optional Tool - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Data
- Solar Math (10:22 minutes)
- Line-by-Line Walkthrough of a 10kw Solar PV Quote (23:18 minutes)
- Estimating the Solar Resource Using PVWatts (10:49 minutes)
- Estimating Basic Economic Feasibility of PV Projects (11:52 minutes)
Module 3 • 6 assignments
Key Functions of a Solar Installation Business: Marketing, Sales, Design, Financing
Module 3 • 6 assignments
Key Functions of a Solar Installation Business: Marketing, Sales, Design, Financing
- Marketing Campaigns & Creative Content for Solar Companies (01:01:40 hours)
- Interactive tool for developing creative content (.pdf)
- 5 Minute Solar Design Tutorial from Helioscope (04:58 minutes)
- Project Economics & Milestones - Example (11:20 minutes)
- SPREADSHEET - Project Economics & Milestones
- Optional examples: 4 residential solar quotes in Michigan (.pdf)
Module 4 • 5 assignments
Key Functions of a Solar Installation Business: Permitting, Procurement, Installation, O&M
Module 4 • 5 assignments
Key Functions of a Solar Installation Business: Permitting, Procurement, Installation, O&M
- Key Functions of a Solar Installation Business: Permitting, Procurement, Installation, O&M
- Where to Buy Solar Panels & Equipment (11:42 minutes)
- Permitting - with Patrick McCabe from GreenLancer (22:19 minutes)
- Operations & Maintenance - with Greg Sellers from Stable Solar (31:44 minutes)
- Kerim's Advice: Residential O&M is overlooked and underserved (02:10 minutes)
Module 5 • 7 assignments
Legal Templates & Startup Tools
Module 5 • 7 assignments
Legal Templates & Startup Tools
Here are some templates and resources that you might need when you're getting started.
- What's it (Really) Like to Work at a Startup? (12:03 minutes)
- Startup Law 101 (.pdf)
- Legal Basics for Solar Startups (04:36 minutes)
- Forming the Company (.docx)
- Sample Operating Agreement (.docx)
- Employee Ownership Toolkit (.pdf)
- Office hours recording: Palmetto's model for turning electricians into solar entrepreneurs (39:08 minutes)
Module 6 • 5 assignments
Stories from Solar Entrepreneurs
Module 6 • 5 assignments
Stories from Solar Entrepreneurs
- Will Thompson, Nexamp (13:41 minutes)
- Three Solar Startups Everybody Should Know About (04:19 minutes)
- August 2022 Live Class Recording - Adam Gerza on the Inflation Reduction Act (39:51 minutes)
- Overview of Climate Tech Startups (39:40 minutes)
- Legends Solar - Conversation with the founders (27:39 minutes)
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
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!
- Inspiration: Tony Seba's "Clean Disruption" Talk
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Instructor
Kerim Baran
Founder, SolarAcademy & CivicSolar
Kerim Baran is the founder of SolarAcademy. Kerim is also a serial entrepreneur, investor, and company builder who has built and sold leading technology and solar businesses. Prior to founding SolarAcademy, Kerim co-founded, helped build and sell CivicSolar.com, a leading solar equipment distributor which helped thousands of solar companies get started in solar between...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 6 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 for as long as their membership subscription remains active.
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.
