Solar
Building Performance
Design and Installation
Workforce Development
Workforce & Learning
Construction Math for Clean Energy: An Overview
1 - 2 hours
to complete
Instructor-led
Last updated 08/2025
About this course
Welcome to Construction Math! This course provides new construction professionals, solar installers, and trades workers with fundamental mathematical skills essential for field success. From calculating material quantities to determining equipment pad dimensions, this course covers the practical math skills needed for precise installations.
The course covers both Imperial (US-based) and Metric (International System of Units) measurement systems, but focuses primarily on the Imperial system.
You'll gain hands-on experience with unit conversions, geometric calculations, and practical problem-solving techniques that directly apply to construction, solar installation, and other building and energy trades.
Build your math skills and confidence to achieve accurate measurements, efficient material usage, clear communication between trades, and professional success on your projects.
The course covers both Imperial (US-based) and Metric (International System of Units) measurement systems, but focuses primarily on the Imperial system.
You'll gain hands-on experience with unit conversions, geometric calculations, and practical problem-solving techniques that directly apply to construction, solar installation, and other building and energy trades.
Build your math skills and confidence to achieve accurate measurements, efficient material usage, clear communication between trades, and professional success on your projects.
Learning Objectives
- Read tape measures accurately and perform unit conversions between Imperial and Metric systems for construction applications.
- Calculate areas and perimeters for complex shapes including L-shaped buildings, triangular roof sections, and layouts with deductions.
- Apply geometric principles to ensure square layouts and proper measurements.
- Determine volume requirements for concrete pads, cylindrical foundations, and material quantity planning with appropriate waste allowances.
- Work with ratios, proportions, and percentages to scale material mixes, calculate efficiency ratings, and determine project specifications.
Course outline
3 modules
1 - 2 hours to complete
1:24 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 4 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 4 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
- Introduction and Course Overview (04:44 minutes)
- Another Resource to Learn and Practice Your Math Skills
Module 1 • 7 assignments
Construction Math for Clean Energy: An Overview
Module 1 • 7 assignments
Construction Math for Clean Energy: An Overview
- Units of Measure (06:41 minutes)
- Length (10:51 minutes)
- Area and Perimeter (17:56 minutes)
- Geometry (17:36 minutes)
- Volume and Material Calculation (12:54 minutes)
- Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages (14:01 minutes)
- Final Assessment
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 4 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!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Instructor
Brittany Heller
HeatSpring
Brittany Heller has been in the solar industry in a variety of roles since January 2015. She began her solar career in residential sales in New Orleans. She then moved to Denver where she completed a Construction Fellowship with GRID Alternatives Colorado, building a wide portfolio of solar projects all benefiting income-qualified families. In April 2018, she began her...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. 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.
Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?
Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.
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 For Teams page to get a group discount.
