Clean Energy Clearinghouse
Clean Energy Educational Resources
EMPOWERED Solutions Clean Energy Question of the Week
Check out this week’s question and answer below. Come back each Monday to explore something new about distributed energy resources. Read previous questions and answers about solar, storage, electric vehicles, and efficient building technology here.
Energy storage systems (ESS) are becoming more common across the country. When inspecting a PV + ESS, there can be a lot of system components to review, from the modules, to inverters and disconnects, to the ESS itself. To ensure a safe and correct inspection, it is valuable to understand the system components you will encounter and how to refer to approved plans and installation manuals.
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In this instructional video, you will learn from Chief Electrical Inspector Pete Jackson about the ins and outs of a solar PV system with a string inverter and a Tesla PowerWall in Bakersfield, California. This video course will help you educate yourself about the components of the system and related codes and standards, as well as permitting and inspection guides.
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Webinar Recordings:
- See the full EMPOWERED Solutions webinar series here. (Overview)
- Energy Storage Basics for AHJ’s and Beyond (Webinar Recording)
- The Possibilities of EV Charging (Webinar Recording)
- What Impacts the Safe Installation of Energy Storage Systems (Webinar Recording)
- Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps—Efficacy and Building Readiness (Webinar Recording)
- High Performance Homes and Materials Safety (Webinar Recording)
- Residential Building Electrification Pathways (Webinar Recording)
- Commercial Building Electrification Pathways (Webinar Recording)
Solar
- Preparing to Inspect Your First PV System (Article)
- Solar PV Systems: Job Aids for a Consistent Plan Review Process (Downloadable Checklists)
- Efficient and Accurate Validation of PV and Energy Storage System Designs: An Introduction to SolarAPP+ (Article)
- A Checklist for Building Owners Considering Solar Energy (Downloadable Checklist)
- Plan Review of Residential Rooftop PV Systems (CEU Bearing Course)
- How to Use SolarAPP+ for Online Permitting (CEU Bearing Courses)
- How to Inspect a SolarAPP+ System (CEU Bearing Courses)
- Solar PV Field Inspection Basics – Training Series (CEU Bearing Course; Includes inspections of residential rooftop and ground-mounted systems; energy storage systems; commercial carport)
- Solar PV Safety for Firefighters (CEU Bearing Course)
Energy Storage
- Energy Storage Basics for AHJs and Beyond Webinar (Webinar Recording)
- Recap: The Basics of Energy Storage and Beyond (Online Course)
- Energy Storage Systems: Based on the IBC, IFC, IRC, and NEC (Downloadable Report)
- What Impacts the Safe Installation of Energy Storage Systems (Webinar Recording)
- Distributed Energy Resource Codes and Standards (Downloadable Fact Sheets)
- Solar-Plus-Storage Permitting and Inspection Guidelines (Downloadable Resource)
- New Residential Energy Storage Code Requirements (Article)
- UL 9540A Fire Test Standard for Battery Energy Storage Systems (Downloadable Resource)
High Performance Buildings
- Inspecting the Building of the Future (Video)
- Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps: Efficacy and Building Readiness (Webinar Recording)
- Whole Home Performance HVAC — Good for the Contractor and the Building Owner (Interview and Resources)
- Net Zero Buildings Week: Clean Energy Resources from Industry-Leading Organizations (Article)
- ICC Guide to Energy Codes and Building Performance Standards (Downloadable Resource)
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
- Electric Vehicle Charging Safety (Short Course)
- Vehicle-to-Home Charging: Can I Power My House With My Car? (Short Course)
- The Possibilities of EV Charging (Webinar Recording)
- Electric Vehicle Charging for Building Owners (Short Course)
- Electric Vehicle Supply Permitting and Inspection Guidelines (Downloadable Resource)
Permitting and Inspection
- Preparing to Inspect Your First PV System (Article)
- Solar PV Systems: Job Aids for a Consistent Plan Review Process (Downloadable Checklists)
- Efficient and Accurate Validation of PV and Energy Storage System Designs: An Introduction to SolarAPP+ (Article)
- Plan Review of Residential Rooftop PV Systems (CEU Bearing Course)
- How to Use SolarAPP+ for Online Permitting (CEU Bearing Courses)
- How to Inspect a SolarAPP+ System (CEU Bearing Courses)
- Solar PV Field Inspection Basics – Training Series (CEU Bearing Course; Includes inspections of residential rooftop and ground-mounted systems, energy storage systems, commercial carport)
- ICC Process for Residential Energy Code Remote Virtual Inspections & Checklist (Downloadable Checklist)
CEU-Bearing Training Opportunities
- Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): Permitting & Inspection for PV and ESS
- International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI): on-demand training for electrical inspectors
- International Code Council (ICC): I-Codes & Standards training, live online and in-person; on-demand
- National Association of Fire Marshals (NASFM): Pipeline Emergencies & Hazardous Materials
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Online learning for NFPA codes and standards
- Southface Institute: building science and workforce development trainings with a focus on building performance, health and safety, energy and water, green infrastructure and green building certifications.
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No matter where you find yourself in your career, all clean energy stakeholders—from authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), fire departments, clean energy contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, electric utilities, testing labs, building owners, facility managers, and others—will benefit from current and timely information relevant to their professions.
Renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, grid-enabled and advanced building products, and energy storage systems are just a few of the technologies you might be hearing about, or even seeing in your community.
This Clean Energy Clearinghouse offers access to free educational resources and CEU bearing courses to make sure you have the information you need, when you need it.
Please note: You may have to scroll down on some CEU bearing course links in order to access all relevant information.
Bookmark this page and check back frequently. It will be continuously updated and we hope it will become your go-to place to learn about clean energy technologies, how to ensure safe operation of equipment and systems, associated safe work practices, and applicable codes.
Need more information, have questions, feedback, or suggestions for future resources? Contact us at [email protected].
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) in partnership with the International Code Council, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, National Association of State Fire Marshals, Slipstream, FSEC Energy Research Center, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, New Buildings Institute, Southface Institute, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory assembled these resources to provide you with up-to-date, reliable, vetted information and training related to existing and emerging technologies.
