Category · Free · No card

Free solar and renewable energy courses with certificate

Free solar and energy storage courses: design, install and commission rooftop solar systems with free tools, design and simulate solar PV plants in PVsyst, then learn how battery energy storage systems (BESS) are designed, controlled and made safe.

Browse all free courses
3 courses · 35 modules · 22h 13m of video · Updated 27 September 2026
PVsyst Solar Power Plant Design course coverFree
FreeRenewable energyIntermediate

PVsyst Solar Power Plant Design

For electrical engineers: design a solar plant in PVsyst, size strings, model shading, read the report. Free to learn; the certificate is optional and paid.

  • Build a PVsyst project from coordinates and choose a climate source you can defend to a reviewer
  • Read PAN and OND files against the datasheet and size a string to the inverter MPPT window and its maximum DC input voltage
  • Set tilt, azimuth, row pitch and ground cover ratio, and see what each costs in yield
12 modules 6h 31mView course
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Design, Controls and Safety course coverFree
FreeRenewable energyIntermediate

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Design, Controls and Safety

A BESS course for electrical engineers: size storage, compare LFP and NMC, apply UL 9540A and NFPA 855. Free to learn; the certificate is optional and paid.

  • Tell MW from MWh and calculate duration, C-rate and round-trip losses
  • Name every part of a BESS from cell to MV switchgear
  • Compare LFP and NMC chemistry for stationary storage
9 modules 4h 32mView course
Rooftop Solar PV Design and Installation course coverFree
FreeRenewable energyBeginner

Rooftop Solar PV Design and Installation

Design, install and commission a 3 kW to 100 kW rooftop solar system: irradiance and PVGIS, modules and inverters, sizing from an electricity bill, site survey and shading, string sizing, cable sizing, protection, earthing and lightning, batteries and hybrid systems, net metering and PM Surya Ghar, safe installation, IEC 62446 testing, and yield and payback.

  • Turn PVGIS irradiation into peak sun hours and an energy estimate
  • Read module and inverter datasheets and correct them for temperature
  • Size an on-grid array from a year of electricity bills
14 modules 11h 10mView course

Compare the Solar and energy storage courses

CourseLevelModulesVideoBrand
PVsyst Solar Power Plant DesignIntermediate126h 31mVendor-neutral
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Design, Controls and SafetyIntermediate94h 32mVendor-neutral
Rooftop Solar PV Design and InstallationBeginner1411h 10mVendor-neutral

How to choose

Installers and rooftop designers start with Rooftop Solar PV Design and Installation. Utility-scale designers take PVsyst Solar Power Plant Design for layout, losses and yield, then Battery Energy Storage Systems for sizing, power conversion, controls and fire safety under UL 9540A and NFPA 855.

Questions

Do I need PVsyst?
The PVsyst course uses it; PVsyst offers a time-limited trial. The BESS course needs only a spreadsheet.
Is battery fire safety covered?
Yes. The BESS course covers UL 9540A testing, NFPA 855 and what past fires have taught the industry.
Is this for engineers only?
Engineers and technicians get the most from it; a basic electrical background helps.
Is it free, and is there a certificate?
Every lesson, note and assessment is free. The EDWartens certificate is optional and paid, and you can finish without it.