About this course

With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, Amicus O&M Cooperative has created this new training specifically for Solar PV and BESS Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technicians  - and it has been approved as an official prep course for the NABCEP OMAT Operations & Maintenance Associate Technician credential exam. 

For the first time ever, the industry has coalesced around a consensus document to define a four-level technician framework for professional advancement, along with the competencies a company can evaluate in order to “graduate” to the next level. This consensus is captured in the new Solar Energy Industries Association SEIA 301: Solar PV and BESS Operations and Maintenance Standard – Technician Training.
 
This online training program is geared toward entry-level O&M technicians (Tech 1), and it contains 24 units that cover core skills that any O&M technician would need, regardless of the size of the systems you’re working on. Additionally, there are seven (7) units at the end that address specific considerations for residential and C&I sites, utility sites, and battery energy storage systems.

Course Contents
  1. Foundations
  2. On-Site Safety
  3. Basic Electrical Theory
  4. PV Fundamentals
  5. PV System Operation
  6. Plan set, Schematics, and Diagrams
  7. Meter & Tool Selection, Use, and Safety
  8. Intro to O&M
  9. O&M Tasks
  10. Meteorological and Data Acquisition Systems
  11. Creating Good Documentation
  12. Market-Segment Specific Considerations (focused on different system scales like residential, C&I, utility, and BESS)
 
The standard asks that Tech 1 also obtain certain safety certifications and training: OSHA 10 (at a minimum), CPR, and First Aid. Talk with your company about how to obtain those certificates.

Special Offer - Guided Field Practices (GFPs)
Teams purchasing three or more enrollments in the full Tech 1 Training receive access to corresponding Guided Field Practices for their senior staff at no additional cost. Just send us an email at support@heatspring.com to redeem.

The Guided Field Practices bridge the gap between theory and practice for PV and BESS technicians. They were designed to give senior technicians clear, step-by-step training guides.  This structured approach standardizes training across your organization and provides documentation of competency development - helping create consistency in field service training across the country.

Not Included - OMAT Exam Fee
The NABCEP OMAT Exam fee is a separate fee charged by NABCEP when scheduling your exam after you have completed the course. After completing the course and earning a certificate of completion, students can optionally submit a NABCEP application and $150 exam fee in the last module of the course. We guarantee that you will pass the exam on your first try, if you don't we will cover your exam retake fee.

Learning Objectives

  • Implement safe working practices by assessing workplace hazards, selecting appropriate PPE, and correctly applying lockout/tagout procedures.
  • Explain foundational electrical concepts and solar theory relevant to PV system operations and maintenance.
  • Identify the equipment and operational states of PV systems, including inverters, PV modules, wiring, and disconnects.
  • Interpret site-specific plan sets to locate system components and understand system design.
  • Perform and analyze basic electrical measurements using appropriate testing equipment.
  • Execute preventative and corrective maintenance tasks following industry best practices.
  • Describe the functionality of data acquisition systems and identify their key components.

Course outline

16 modules
18 - 24 hours to complete
Welcome • 6 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 • 1 assignments
Foundations

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Module 2 • 1 assignments
On-Site Safety

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Module 3 • 1 assignments
Basic Electrical Theory

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Module 4 • 1 assignments
PV Fundamentals

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Module 5 • 1 assignments
PV System Operation

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Module 6 • 1 assignments
Plan Sets, Schematics, and Diagrams

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Module 7 • 1 assignments
Meter & Tool Selection, Use, and Safety

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Module 8 • 1 assignments
Intro to O&M

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Module 9 • 1 assignments
O&M Tasks

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Module 10 • 1 assignments
Data Acquisition Systems

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Module 11 • 1 assignments
Creating Good Documentation

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Module 12 • 1 assignments
Residential and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Considerations

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Module 13 • 1 assignments
Utility-Scale Considerations

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Module 14 • 1 assignments
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

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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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Instructor

Amicus O&M Cooperative

Amicus O&M Cooperative is a community of solar operations and maintenance (O&M) providers across North America. Through a set of tools/templates/software, extensive knowledge sharing, and a training program for O&M professionals, the cooperative supports its member companies in offering safe, efficient, standardized services. The cooperative itself does not perform O&M...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. 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.
Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?
Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.
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.

$795

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