Renewable Energy

Renewable energy comes from natural sources that never run out, like sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat. Unlike fossil fuels, it’s cleaner and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy management involves:

• Identifying resources: Find sunlight, wind, water, biomass, or geothermal heat you can use.
• Assessing resources: Check availability and potential at specific locations.
• Capturing energy: Use solar panels, wind turbines, or bioenergy systems to convert resources into power.
• Distributing energy: Move the energy efficiently to homes and businesses with minimal loss.

Working in renewable energy can lead to careers in:

• Solar, wind, and hydropower
• Bioenergy and geothermal systems
• Energy auditing and management

These roles help create a cleaner, sustainable future while addressing energy challenges. Visit our career coach to explore programs.

You’ll learn to evaluate and optimize energy systems for homes and businesses. You’ll:

• Conduct energy audits and systems analysis
• Design, retrofit, and troubleshoot renewable energy and HVAC systems
• Gain hands-on experience with solar, wind, and photovoltaic technologies

ECC’s four-semester Associate Degree prepares you for mid-level technician roles in the renewable energy industry. View our course catalog here.

First Semester:

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration I
• Basic Electricity and HVACR Controls
• Survey of Renewable Energy Systems
• Electrical Control Circuits
• Technical Math I or College Algebra

Second Semester:

• Basic Heating Gas/Oil
• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration II
• Commercial Load Calculations
• Programmable Controllers I
• Required Communications Course

Third Semester:

• Heat Pumps & Electrical Heat
• Programmable Controllers II
• Introduction to Wind Energy
• Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
• Intro to Sustainable Heating Systems
• Required Communications Course

Fourth Semester:

• AC Drives
• Energy Auditing
• Photovoltaic System Application
• Wind Turbine Service