Grounding, Bonding, Fusing, and Safety
These commenters asked for clearer training on grounding, bonding, fusing, disconnects, voltage isolation, and practical electrical safety.
Firebear O., Troy B., Jim N. G., Jackie D., Chris N., Floyd M.
Acknowledgements
This Course Was Built With Your Help
Thank you to the solar community members who helped shape what this course became.
Watts Up Academy didn't come together in a vacuum.
A few years ago, I asked the solar community what they would want to see in a serious, self-paced solar course. More than 200 people took the time to comment, ask questions, suggest topics, point out gaps in existing training, and tell me what they wished they had known when they were getting started.
I read those comments. I saved them. And while building this course, I kept coming back to them.
Some of your suggestions became entire sections of the course. Others changed the way I explained a subject, how deep I went into a topic, or helped me think differently about what someone entering the solar industry actually needs to understand.
After nearly three decades working in renewable energy and 15 years teaching it at the college level, I brought a lot of experience into this project. But experience doesn't mean you stop listening.
So before I launch this course, I want to recognize the people who helped shape it.
Special Note to My Wife and Family
Thank you to my wife and family for your patience, support, and understanding as I dedicated time and energy to creating this course. I love and appreciate everything you do. I love you all with all my heart.
Community Feedback
Community Contributors
To everyone who shared your ideas, questions, encouragement, criticism, and experience: thank you.
You helped make this course better.
System Design, Sizing, and Off-Grid Builds
These commenters wanted help designing real systems, sizing equipment, planning off-grid builds, and understanding how to expand systems over time.
Robert C., Jennifer M., Don D., Gene R., Stephen C., Jake R., Chris S., Jon K., Chandler S., Sandee A.
Batteries, Backup Power, and Grid Integration
These commenters asked for guidance on battery storage, backup loads, grid-tied systems, AC coupling, and how solar connects with homes or utility power.
Richard H., Kevin C., Jake R., Chris S., Kevin D., Jennifer M.
Hands-On Learning and Visual References
These commenters encouraged real-world installation examples, step-by-step visuals, product references, downloadable materials, and small lab-style learning kits.
Janine L., Jerome S., Jim W., Martin K., Shaun D., Mike D.
Beginner-Friendly Electrical Foundations
These commenters highlighted the need for plain-language explanations of electricity basics, Ohm's law, watts, volts, series and parallel wiring, and solar fundamentals.
Todd P., Kim K., Martin K., Adder H.
Buying, Selling, Cost, and Project Planning
These commenters asked for help understanding pricing, financing, buying equipment wisely, avoiding bad deals, and learning the business side of solar projects.
Derek V., Jerome S., Firebear O., Kevin C., Asger V., Mike C., Nate B., Kim K.
Related Energy Systems and Broader Applications
These commenters suggested covering related energy topics such as waste heat, wind, heat pumps, hybrid systems, and international use cases.
Kevin C., David M., Karl K.
General Interest and Encouragement
These commenters expressed interest, encouragement, or support for creating a practical solar course.
Richard H., Chris D., Troy B., Aaron A., Robert P., Gene C., H. Brian C., Stephen C., Liviu B., Joseph M., Jake R., Karl K., Joe I., Erin B., Walt L., Roland M., Bill D., Dave R., Howard M., Yuri K., Gabe R., Leigh K., Ward G., Popa T., Jackie H., Tobin T., Peter I., Woodland Harvest, Will H., John K., Titius M.
And to everyone who commented, messaged me privately, talked solar with me over the years, sat in one of my classrooms, worked beside me in the industry, or challenged me with a question that made me go back and learn something new:
Thank you.
Education gets better when we keep teaching each other.
- Abe Fouhy
Founder & Instructor, Watts Up Academy