Renewable Energy Construction
Free construction training that shows how renewable energy projects are procured, scheduled, built and commissioned safely, on budget and to specification.
Construction Explained
Construction is the phase that turns a financed, permitted project into a physical, operating asset. Construction professionals manage procurement, scheduling, contractors, quality, and safety, and lead the civil, mechanical, and electrical work that culminates in commissioning and energization.
The Energy Academy shows you how each of these pieces fits together, from the first equipment order to energization, so you can see how a project gets delivered and where you can contribute.
Source and schedule modules, inverters, racking, and balance-of-system equipment.
Build and manage construction schedules and budgets to control cost and time.
Coordinate civil, mechanical, and electrical scopes safely and to specification. Take the What Would You Do? challenge.
Verify systems through quality control and commissioning before energization.
FreeHigh-quality learning for everyone.
Self-pacedLearn on your schedule, anytime, anywhere.
PracticalReal-world insights and examples.
Built by industry professionalsTrusted knowledge from people in the field.
Find Where You Fit
Construction rewards field experience, strong coordination skills and a safety-first mindset. Backgrounds in construction management, engineering and the trades all transfer.
Entry Level
Support scheduling, quality, and documentation in the field.
Mid Level
Manage contractors, safety, quality, and schedule on site.
Senior Level
Lead multiple projects, manage budgets, and set construction standards.
Executive
Own construction strategy, safety culture, and execution across the portfolio.
From Notice to Proceed to Handover
Construction starts when development and financing hand over a buildable project. Explore the six stages that take it from approved design to an energized, operating asset.
01Finalize issued-for-construction drawings, confirm permits and site surveys, and plan the build ahead of Notice to Proceed.
02Order modules, inverters, racking, transformers and balance-of-system equipment, and schedule deliveries around long lead times.
03Set up the site, bring contractors on board, and complete clearing, grading, access roads and erosion control.
04Execute civil, mechanical and electrical scopes: foundations and piles, racking and modules, wiring, inverters and the collection system.
05Test and verify every system, energize equipment, run performance tests and work down the punch list.
06Reach substantial and final completion, deliver as-builts and warranties, and turn the asset over to operations.
Key Insight
Development and finance make a project possible — construction makes it real, safely, on schedule and to specification.
Construction Learning Center
Explore the courses, guides and tools that show how renewable energy projects are procured, built, commissioned and handed over to operations.
Follow a project from ready-for-construction through energization and closeout.
Create a free account to view this course CourseTurn a design into a construction plan and manage the work in the field.
Create a free account to view this course CourseUnderstand the contract that governs how a project is engineered, procured and built.
Create a free account to view this course TopicExplore the safety framework, QA/QC and how systems are verified before energization.
Create a free account to start learning TopicSequence the work, set milestones and manage schedule risk.
Create a free account to start learning TopicSee what changes hands when construction turns an asset over to operations.
Create a free account to start learning ToolsAccess checklists, trackers and templates for managing the build.
Browse Tools CourseNew to the industry? Build the foundation before you specialize.
Create a free account to view this coursePut It Into Practice
Take over a 2 MWdc rooftop project on October 15 and get it to substantial completion by December 31. Ten decisions, a $100,000 recovery reserve, and every gate from structural approval to owner acceptance.
Explore Related Disciplines
Construction teams build what development, engineering and finance set in motion, then hand the finished asset to operations. Explore the disciplines you’ll work with on every project.
Find, qualify and advance new project opportunities.
Explore TrackMove projects through site control, permitting and interconnection.
Explore TrackUnderstand project economics, capital and investment decisions.
Explore TrackNavigate contracts, rights, obligations and project risk.
Explore TrackTranslate project concepts into technical solutions.
Explore TrackProtect the performance and long-term value of operating assets.
Explore TrackUnderstand how electricity, incentives and market value work.
Explore TrackSee how every discipline fits into the renewable energy industry.
Explore the IndustryCommon Questions
Understand what construction teams do, how renewable energy projects get built and what it takes to build a career in the discipline.
Still have a question?
Contact the Academy →
Construction is the phase that turns a financed, permitted project into a physical, operating asset. Teams manage procurement, scheduling, contractors, quality, and safety, executing the civil, mechanical, and electrical work through commissioning and energization.
A construction manager oversees the on-site build: coordinating contractors, managing the schedule and budget, enforcing safety and quality, and ensuring the project is built to design and code through to commissioning.
Typically: site mobilization and civil work (grading, roads, foundations), mechanical installation (racking and modules), electrical work (wiring, inverters, collection system), interconnection tie-in, then commissioning and energization.
It varies with size and complexity. Utility-scale projects often take several months to over a year, while smaller distributed projects can be built in weeks to a few months. Weather, equipment delivery, and interconnection scheduling all affect the timeline.
Commissioning is the final testing and verification phase before a project goes live — confirming that equipment is installed correctly, systems perform as designed, and the asset is ready for safe, reliable operation.
Construction involves heavy equipment, electrical hazards, and demanding field conditions, so a strong safety culture protects workers and the project. Safety planning, training, and oversight are core responsibilities of every construction team.
Roles range from field and project engineers to superintendents and construction managers. Backgrounds in construction management, engineering, or the trades all apply, and field experience combined with strong coordination skills is highly valued.
Procurement secures modules, inverters, racking, transformers, and balance-of-system equipment on schedule and budget. Because equipment lead times can be long, procurement timing is one of the biggest risks to a construction schedule.
Paths range from Field Engineer and Superintendent to Construction Manager, Senior Construction Manager, and VP of Construction. Professionals may specialize in safety, quality, procurement, or commissioning, and experienced builders are in strong demand as deployment grows.
Start Learning
Start with Solar Construction 101, then go deeper into planning, contracts, scheduling, quality and handoff at your own pace.
Free. Self-paced. Built around real industry work.
