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About this course

This is a purpose-built course designed for utility-scale solar teams. There's no fluff - our goal is to get everyone speaking the same language and working as a team on utility-scale solar projects.

Utility-scale solar farms have a total capacity of 74 GW nationwide—enough to power 16 million homes, and the solar industry employs 253,000 Americans. How valuable would it be for everyone working on your utility-scale solar project to understand construction drawing basics and be able to communicate accurately about what is supposed to happen?

When everyone understands how to read the plan sets, your team:
  • Saves time and money
  • Makes fewer mistakes
  • Develops talent faster
  • Builds a reputation for operational excellence

Students who enroll also get FREE access to
the Foundations of Solar PV: Fundamentals for Understanding Utility-Scale Solar course., where students will learn the basics of solar PV – to make sure that you understand concepts like voltage, current, resistance – and the difference between power and energy. This course also covers how electricity flows through a solar plant, and introduces you to some of the key players in the design, installation and ownership of a project. 

Course outline

5 modules
2 - 3 hours to complete
1:46 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 3 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
  • Get FREE Access to Andy's Foundations of Solar PV: Fundamentals for Understanding Utility Scale Solar
Module 1 • 3 assignments
Introduction to the Course

  • Introduction to the Course (06:50 minutes) Preview
  • Introduction to the Course (optional download) (.pdf)
  • A Guide for Developers and Investors (.pdf)
Module 2 • 8 assignments
Basics of Drawings

  • Construction Drawing Basics & Types of Drawings (10:38 minutes)
  • Drawing Generation (08:27 minutes)
  • Permitting Process and Modifications (05:21 minutes)
  • Basics of Construction Drawings (optional download) (.pdf)
  • Basics of Drawings Quiz
  • Basics of Bluebeam Revu
  • Basics of Adobe Acrobat
  • Additional Resources & Links
Module 3 • 13 assignments
Details of Drawings

  • Common Sheets with (Most) Drawing Sets and Sheet Specific Fundamentals (12:30 minutes)
  • Revision History, Scale, and Sheet Details (04:49 minutes)
  • Electrical Drawings - Part 1 (11:32 minutes)
  • Electrical Drawings - Part 2 (09:50 minutes)
  • Civil Drawings - Part 1 (15:17 minutes)
  • Civil Drawings - Part 2 (06:07 minutes)
  • Mechanical Drawings (12:45 minutes)
  • Final Thoughts (01:51 minutes)
  • Details of Construction Drawings (optional download) (.pdf)
  • Details of Drawings Quiz
  • Topography & Contour Lines
  • Using an Architectural Scale on Construction Drawings
  • Using Bluebeam's Calibrate Scale Feature
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!

  • Share the course on LinkedIn and with your wider network!
  • 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 NABCEP CEU Hours

NABCEP Credential Advanced Hours for Exam Recertification CEU Hours NEC JTA RE Elective Building or Fire Code
2.5 2.5 0 2.5 2.5 0
0 2.5 0 0 0 0
2.5 2.5 0 2.5 2.5 0
2.5 2.5 0 2.5 2.5 0
2.5 2.5 0 2.5 2.5 0
2.5 2.5 0 2.5 2.5 0

Instructor

Andy Nyce

Sr. Director of Project Management, Erthos Inc.

I'm Andy Nyce - originally from New Zealand, but I've spent the last nine years in the United States in a range of engineering, construction, project management and quality control roles in the large scale renewables industry. I've been directly involved in over 2GW of execution at every level of installation, management and commissioning. I'm currently the Sr....

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 5 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 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.

Reviews

4.9
Based on 20 reviews
106
students have taken this course
10/27/2024

As a manager of design in a solar engineering group, I work on a team of engineers and drafters. We struggle with presenting unified work in both content and style. Knowing what contractors and AHJs expect to see is a very useful aid for us, and it was disclosed very well in this course.

Ben Rodgers
Manager, Design, UGE
02/16/2024

I will 100% recommend taking this course, if you are looking be able to read constructions drawings across many disciplines

Momodou Bah
10/10/2023

Comprehensive course about solar construction drawings and how to read them. Highly recommended to anyone interested.

Chirag Pansuriya
Design Manager, StraightUp Solar

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