Solar
Energy Storage
Solar + Storage
Inspection, O&M
Safety & Compliance
Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training
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. 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
Course Contents
- Foundations
- On-Site Safety
- Basic Electrical Theory
- PV Fundamentals
- PV System Operation
- Plan set, Schematics, and Diagrams
- Meter & Tool Selection, Use, and Safety
- Intro to O&M
- O&M Tasks
- Meteorological and Data Acquisition Systems
- Creating Good Documentation
- 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.
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.
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
5 modules
18 - 24 hours to complete
Welcome • 6 assignments
Orientation Materials
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
Solar PV Fundamentals & Safety
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Solar PV Fundamentals & Safety
This module establishes the core foundations of solar PV technology and safety protocols. Students will learn construction safety fundamentals, electrical theory including AC/DC principles and circuit connections, and photovoltaic basics covering components, energy generation principles, and installation elements like racking and wire management.
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Module 2 • 1 assignments
Solar PV System Operations & Maintenance Practices
Module 2 • 1 assignments
Solar PV System Operations & Maintenance Practices
This module focuses on the operational aspects of PV systems and documentation requirements. Students will understand system components like disconnects and combiners, learn about various operating states and IV curves, develop skills in reading technical documentation, and gain practical knowledge of electrical measurement tools and their safe use.
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Module 3 • 1 assignments
Data Acquisition, Documentation, and Market-Specific Applications
Module 3 • 1 assignments
Data Acquisition, Documentation, and Market-Specific Applications
This final section builds advanced operational maintenance skills and industry standards compliance. Students will master operations and maintenance definitions, learn industry codes (NFPA 70B, ANSI NETA MTS, IEC 62446), understand critical safety procedures like Lock Out Tag Out, and develop competency in standard maintenance protocols for solar PV and BESS systems.
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Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
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!
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Continuing Education Units
Instructor
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 FAQHow 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 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.
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.