Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Training and Education

Renewable Energy Jobs Guide to Training and Education

We have provided you with a one-stop-shop guide to renewable energy training and education providers around the world

This list is in no way exhaustive and currently focuses predominantly on the Northern America and Europe.

We do not have firsthand experience of these course. The listing here is not an endorsement from RenewableEnergyJobs.com, we would expect you would look into any training on offer in detail before making a selection decision.

Please use these links to jump to the right location for you:

Austria

Canada

France

Germany

Greece

Spain

UK

US (by state, alphabetically)

Education and Training Providers (by country)

Canada

British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC - Offers two courses - Introduction to Photovoltaics, level 1 and 2. These courses are offered periodically as either an evening course, or a weekend intensive

Seneca College, Ontario - Offers an eleven-part training program for the design and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems

Trimline Training Center - Courses in renewable energy will offer introductory sessions with information on ways to reduce energy consumption and dispel the myths about ‘Renewable Energy', to hands-on experience with actual installations and troubleshooting

Clean Energy Institute of GPEKS - Courses are offered online through a learning management system in partnership with Willis College in Ottawa. Students on courses learn how to perform feasibility analysis studies using RETScreen in each of the technologies that they cover. They also offer on-site training focusing on renewable energy project financing

US (by State)

Arizona

Pima Community College - Photovoltaic runs an Installation Training class. This also specifically provides preparation for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Installer Certification exam

Coconino Community College - The Associate of Applied Science in Alternative Energy Technology will provide students with the skills to pursue a career in the Alternative Energy field

Arkansas

John Brown University - Runs a The Bachelor Science in Renewable Energies (RE) course

California

University of California and California Energy Commission - Wind Energy Course for Technicians, technical foundation for those currently working or considering future work in the wind industry

Solar Living Institute - One- to nine-day workshops on renewable energy, green building, sustainable living, ecological design and alternative construction methods

Diablo Valley College - Offering an AS Degree and Certificate in Photovoltaic Systems. The beginning course is PV Design and Installation, AET 130 and a Advanced PV course, AET 230

Solar Staffing - Training for entry level PV installers, designers, and solar salesestimator courses

Sun Pirate - Offers online renewable energy courses. Our courses are Fundamentals of Solar Hot Water Heating and Photovoltaic System Design & Installation

Center for International Trade Development - Has launched a Solar Installer Training Program currently available through Skyline College and College of Marin

East Los Angeles Skills Center - Runs a two part Photovoltaic Installer Program

Applied Professional Training - Offers Solar Training for the NABCEP PV Entry Level Certificate and an Advance Course. We have 15 years of experience. These are one week course and a Wind Technology Course, including Introduction to Wind Technology, Basics of Wind Turbine Functions, Understanding of Wind Components, Design of Wind Installations, Step-by-Step Details on Wind Installation, and Wiring into Grid-tie or Battery Systems

Verve Solar Consulting - Seminars, webinars, and university-level survey courses about the grid-tied solar industry in the U.S. These seminars are for professionals who want to understand the factors influencing the growth of the solar industry, including the technical, policy, economic, regulatory, research, and workforce development aspects of the U.S. solar industry

Boots on the Roof - 7-day Solar Boot Camp, covers grid-tied solar (PV) system design and installation solar industry overview solar economics & finance ROI, incentives & regulations business models & career paths solar marketing & saleshands on labs It also includes NABCEP's Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge of PV Systems exam

SDSU,College of Extended Studies - Now offering a Professional Certificate in Renewable Energy and Green Energy Management

Colorado

Solar Energy International - Offers hands-on workshops on renewable energy applications, including solar and wind energy applications

Wind Energy Applications Training Symposium - Offered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Hands-on workshop on wind energy first launched in 1988. Participants observe large and small wind systems in operation in the field and meet with leaders in the U.S

Arapahoe Community College - Offering a Solar Energy Industry Training Program(s) - Photovoltaic Program for NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge and Thermal Solar (Hot Water) Program

NREL/DOE Tribal Energy Program - provides periodic renewable energy technology, strategic energy planning, financing, and business development training to federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Villages and Corporations

Delaware

University of Delaware, Graduate College of Marine Studies - Graduate Seminar on Offshore Wind Power

University of Deleware, Institute of Energy Conversion - Undergraduate and graduate students to obtain degrees while working with professionals engaged in solar cell research

Florida

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) - One and two-day courses are offered on such subjects as photovoltaics, solar water heating, home energy rating certification, energy-efficient building strategies

Solar Source University - Offers an apprenticeship with on the job training for solar energy installation

Georgia

Georgia Institute of Technology - Undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of crystalline-silicon solar cells, both at Georgia Tech and at other Universities through joint research efforts

Southface - Offers courses and training events in a variety of contexts. The formats are varied and range from multi-day workshops on building science; one-day seminars on energy code; to certified Home Energy Rating Systems courses

Hawaii

Hawaii Pacific University - Environmental Science Program currently offers two courses in photovoltaic systems design: ENVS 3200 Photovoltaic Systems Design and ENVS 4300 Advanced Photovoltaic Systems Design

Idaho

Boise State University - Wind Application Centre

Illinois

Highland Community College - Runs a wind turbine technician program

Illinois State University - Offers a B.S. in Renewable Energy with sequences in economics/public policy and technology

Wilbur Wright College - Offering its 6-course, 21-credit hour Building Energy Technologies Occupational Certificate Program

Iowa

Iowa Lakes Community College - Has 1-year and 2-year programs to train turbine technicians

Sustainable Energy Education and Training Project - Provides training for high school and community college instructors. Offered by the Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center

University of Iowa - Offers a Wind Power Management Program through the College of Engineering

Des Moines Area Community College -  Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology, this program prepares students for a career as a maintenance technician in industrial manufacturing

Louisiana

Louisiana CleanTech Network - Offering Solar Installer Training – Solar Electric Systems courses that follow the ISPQ standards and NABCEP task analysis including recommended safety procedures, system design, electrical code and industry standard practices

Maryland

Frostburg State University - offers an education program on design, installation, and maintenance of residential electric generation systems using photovoltaic (PV) solar modules and/or small wind turbines

Massachusetts

Mount Wachusett Community College - A 2-year college that offers a course in renewable energy sources

MIT - Offering various short courses including Biofuels from Biomass: Technology and Policy Considerations / Design of Motors, Generators, and Drive Systems / Energy in the Context of Climate Policy: Strategic Challenges and Opportunities

Cape Cod Community College - Broad-based Renewable Energy education and training program in collaboration with Mass Maritime Academy

University of Massachusetts - Amherst -Training and educational experiences for graduate and undergraduate engineers and scientists

University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Offers a Master of Science in Energy Engineering program with a Solar Energy Option

Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) - Offers professional training for photovoltaic system integrators and installers

Greenfield Community College - Runs a Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency. Certificate Program. (28 credits). May also be incorporated into an A.A. in Liberal Arts

AltE University - Hands on training for PV and Solar Thermal installation

HeatSpring Learning Institute - Course offerings range from solar and geothermal basics to advanced technical courses for building designers and system installers

Michigan

Oakland Community College - Offers four degree options in environmental systems technology. Also offers certificates in Renewable Energies and Sustainable Living. The college offers online versions of its courses in Energy Management and Introduction to Solar and other Renewable Energies

Northwestern Michigan College - Course offerings include energy efficiency, solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal (ground source), wind, bio-diesel fuel processing

Macomb Community College - The Renewable Energy Technology Program at Macomb complements several program paths, specifically Associate Degrees in Mechatronics, Electronic Engineering Technology, Building & Construction Technology, Manufacturing Technology and Maintenance Technology

Minnesota

Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Academic programs for Wind Energy Technology, Wind Energy Mechanics, and Certificates for Windsmiths

Missouri

Crowder College MARET Center - Offers courses on solar thermal systems, passive solar, solar electric systems, wind and alternative fuel vehicles

KidWind Project - Promoting the elegance of wind power through affordable tools and training programs that challenge, engage and inspire students of all ages

Montana

University of Montana College of Technology-Missoula - Offers an Energy Technology AAS degree program

New Mexico

Mesalands Community College - Has a North American Wind Research and Training Center

San Juan College - Foundation in the fundamental physics and design/installation techniques required to work with renewable technologies. The concentration in Photovoltaic System Design and Installation is offered as an associate of applied science degree or a one-year certificate

Santa Fe Community College - Certificate Environmental Technologies (30 hours minimum). This certificate provides students with an understanding of the basic issues regarding sustainability, renewable energy and water conservation

New York

Wayne Technical and Career Center - New Vision Renewable Energy Program

NABCEP - Offers a certification program for solar electric installers referred to as the Solar PV Installer Certification.

Building Performance Institute - Offers training through a national network of affiliate organizations that demonstrate how to effectively reduce the energy load in buildings in order to make renewable energy systems more cost-effective

Ulster BOCES Adult Education - Offering numerous renewable energy training courses including Electrical Theory for Renewable Energy Practitioners, Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology, PV Installer's Course, Building Integrated Photovoltaics, PV & The NEC, Introduction to Small Wind Technology, Residential Wind Electric Systems, Green Contractor Training, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Renewable Energy Exploration, NABCEP PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam

Solar Energy Center Farmingdale State College SUNY - Accredited by ISP/IREC. Offering an intensive solar installation workshop for Licensed Electricians, Electrical contractors and Engineers/Architects. This is full, one-week workshop. They offer the NABCEP Basic Skill levels exam

State University of New York, Delhi Campus - SUNY Delhi offers a 1-year certificate or a 2-year AOS/AAS degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance Accredited by ISP/IREC and offers a 40-hour Photovoltaic (PV) Design and Installation Basics course. This is a full, one-week workshop

Center for Sustainable Energy, Bronx Community College - Offers a 40-hour Solar Installation course with a 10-hour electricity basics refresher that leads the NABCEP Entry Level Exam

Consortium for Worker Education - SMaRT training (Sustainable Mechanical and Retrofitting Technologies) is a pre-employment, basic skills battery of courses that prepares people for entry level employment in sustainable businesses and energy industries

Hudson Valley Community College - Runs a Photovoltaic Installation Certificate program providing the training students need to enter the growing industry of solar panel installation and maintenance. The 19-credit hour program consists of required and elective courses in the Electrical Construction and Maintenance A.O.S. degree program

New York Solar Energy Industries Association - Offers 1 to 4 day courses about installing photovoltaics and solar hot water

SUNY Ulster - Offers numerous courses in Solar PV and Solar Thermal

Clinton Community College - Wind Energy & Turbine Technology (WETT) AAS degree is being offered. The program is a 66 credit 2-year program that provides curriculum geared toward training students to maintain and repair wind turbines

North Carolina

Appalachian State University - Provides a wide variety of training courses including a BS & MA degree in Appropriate Technology. This program has a major focus on renewable energy system design & construction and also offers courses on green building, building science, sustainable transportation, biofuels, water & wastewater technology and resource management

North Carolina Solar Center - Clearinghouse for solar and other renewable energy programs, information, research, technical assistance, and training. The Center offers workshops on passive solar design and construction, photovoltaic system design and installation and other related courses. They are also offering a new Renewable Energy Diploma

Piedmont Biofuels - provides high quality one-day to one-week long seminars on biodiesel production and also  fuel quality and advanced biodiesel topics

Oklahoma

High Plains Technology Center - Offers a Wind Energy Technician Certificate program

Oklahoma City Community College - Offers a Wind Turbine Technician Certificate program

Oklahoma State University: Oklahoma City - Offers an Associate in Applied Science degree, with a focus on two types of wind turbine facilities: utility scale and facilities scale

Oregon

Columbia Gorge Community College - Offers a 1-year Certificate and a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Renewable Energy Technology

Lane Community College -- Offers a This is a two-year associate of applied science degree program with a Renewable Energy Technician Option

Oregon Institute of Technology - Runs a degree course in Renewable Energy Systems

Portland Community College - Offers Renewable Energy Systems (RES) training which prepares technicians for solar power, wind power, fuel cell and other renewable energy fields including an AAS Degree in Solar Voltaic Manufacturing Technology and also a Certificate of Completion (COC) in Solar Voltaic Manufacturing Technology

Northwest Energy Education Institute - Offers 2 year degree courses as well as certification courses in a variety of renewable energy technologies

Pennsylvania

St. Francis University - Has a Renewable Energy Center

South Dakota

South Dakota State University - Has a wind application center

Lake Area Technical Institute - Runs a 20 month Energy Technology program utilizing content from several Lake Area Tech’s programs such as machine tool technology, aviation maintenance technology, welding and electronic systems technology. In addition, courses specific to the energy industry are also taught

Texas

Texas State Technical College, West Texas - Offers a Wind Energy Technology Associates Degree Program

Texas Tech University - Has a Wind Science and Engineering Research Center

University of Texas at Austin, School of Law - Offers a course in Wind Law

Alternative Energy Institute - Two introductory courses, one for wind energy and one for solar energy

Austin Community College - Offers a college credit renewable energy specialization in the power degree program; continuing education courses for entry-level advanced solar (PV and thermal) certifications; and professional continuing education short courses

ADVEN - Offers North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) approved Solar Electric Installer Training courses

WindWorkCo - Offers 5 one-day courses helping oil/gas professionals transition their skills into Wind

Houston Community College - Offers a Fuel Cell specialization certificate track through the two-year Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program. The curriculum focuses on basic concepts and principles of fuel cells, training students to work in industrial, institutional, or commercial transportation applications

Utah

Salt Lake Community College - Offering workforce training through continuing education in Solar Energy Installers Technician courses and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Energy Management

Vermont

Vermont Technical College - Offers engineering technology degrees as well as a BS degree program in Sustainable Design and Technology with tracks in Renewable Energy, Green Building, and Green Sites

NorthWoods Stewardship Center - Offers a solar electric systems design and installation course combining classroom content and hands-on practice to provide a complete overview of photovoltaic (PV) systems and their installation. Covers both off-grid and grid-tied systems and culminates with a grid-tied installation. Also includes special evening presentations and tours of various existing home and business installations

Virginia

James Madison University - Has a Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative

CEAGE - Offers two online courses dealing with renewable/alternate energy systems and the environmental impacts of producing and utilizing electricity. The courses are available to Virginia Tech students as well as to those seeking continuing education

Washington

Shoreline Community College - Offers three certificates and an AA Degree in solar/alternative energy. One certificate is one class in Soar/Photovoltaic Design; the next is three classes for a Zero Energy Building Practices Certificate; and the third is 59-63 credits for Zero Energy Building Practices. In addition, there is a transfer degree in alternative energy

Lake Washington Technical College - Offers an Energy Technology Certificate preparing students for a career in energy management, site assessment or technician level by training, retraining or upgrading skills. Students will learn the basics of energy site assessment, the technologies behind renewable energy and apply the trade-offs associated with implementation of each, both economic and environmental. The certificate is targeted at individuals seeking fundamental knowledge that can be applied in the field of alternative energy

Wisconsin

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College - Offers a Clean Energy Technician Program

Lakeshore Technical College - Offers a 2 year Wind System Technician Program. The program goals include: Install, test, service and repair wind turbine components, troubleshoot and maintain control and PLC systems, Trouble shoot and maintain SCADA systems, wear PPE for climbing and identify safe practices for climbing, practice safe wind tower climbing skills

Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) - Offers over 120 workshops that cover a variety of topics including wind and solar power and energy efficient construction techniques

Mid-State Technical College - Offers associate degree programs in Biorefinery Technology, Renewable Electricity Technology and Renewable Thermal Energy Technology

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) - Offers three new Renewable / Sustainable Energy Certificates, Renewable Energy - Solar Photovoltaics, Biofuels, and Sustainable Design

Madison Area Technical College - Offers a certificate in renewable energies, funded through the National Science Foundation. The certificate includes online and face-to-face courses featuring seasoned renewable energy experts from Oakland Community College, Solar Energy International, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, and Madison Area Technical College who give students a sense of the current workforce

Wyoming

Laramie Community College - Offers a Wind Energy Technician Program

Non-Location Specific

CERET - 2-year college and high school programs through a collaborative infrastructure that delivers a certificate model of online and face-to-face renewable energy courses

SEI - Offers renewable energy training online and in 22 locations around the world

World Wind Energy Institute - Has seven research centres on 5 continents, the WWEI programme consists of a ten month global traineeship

Association of Energy Engineers - Offers ongoing training, seminars and courses coving a wide variety of topics

Europe

Austria

Vienna University of Technology - Offers an MSc in Renewable Energy in Eastern and Central Europe

France

Ecole des Mines de Paris- Offers the European Master in Renewable Energy Course (EUREC)

Germany

Kassel University - Offers the European Master in Renewable Energy Course (EUREC) / Hybrid Systems - Specialisation Provider

Greece

University of Athens, Greece - Offers the European Master in Renewable Energy Course (EUREC) / Energy conservation in buildings - Specialisation Provider

National Technical University of Athens - Offers the European Master in Renewable Energy Course (EUREC) / Wind - Specialisation Provider

Spain

University of Zaragoza - Offers the European Master in Renewable Energy Course (EUREC)

UK

University of Northumbria - Offers the European Master in Renewable Energy Course (EUREC) / Photovoltaics -Specialisation Provider

Loughborough University - Offers the European Master in Renewable Energy Course (EUREC)

Kingston University - Offers a Renewable Energy Engineering PgDip/MSc

Queen Mary University of London - Teaches an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems

Green Dragon Energy - Green Dragon Energy conducts a range of courses dealing with various aspects of renewable energy on a regular basis at various locations in the UK and Europe including Germany and the UK

Centre for Sustainable Energy - Delivers short, interactive training courses for a wide range of audiences, including community groups, local authority staff, energy professionals, energy company staff, businesses, advice-providers and interested individuals

University of Exeter - Offers a BSc Renewable Energy. Taught on the UoE's Cornwall Campus

National Energy Foundation - NEF is now delivering a number of courses in sustainable energy. There are a total of 22 modules which have been grouped under the areas: Carbon Reduction, Energy Awareness, Energy Management & Monitoring, Energy Policy Energy Saving, Funding and Renewable Energy

Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) - Offering a range of advanced engineering courses in renewable energy, including MSc and European Masters course. Short courses also available

Epogee - Offers training courses in environmental energy, especially Solar Hot Water (Solar Heating) Courses - suitable for Solar Installers, Heating Engineers, Plumbers and Novices

University of Nottingham -  teaches an MSc Electrical Technology for Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems, and BEng/MEng Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems

Aster Training - Course aimed at advisers; local authority staff; energy managers and householders who want an introduction to the main renewable energy technologies to include grants, planning issues and combining the different technologies

University of Reading - Offers both MSc andf PgDip in Renewable Energy, Technology and Sustainability

North East Wales Institute of Higher Education - Offers BEng Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies, and FdEng Renewable Energy Systems degrees

University of East London (CITE) - Teaches an MSc Renewable Energy and the Built Environment

Newcastle University - Teaches an MSc Renewable Energy

University of Ulster - Offers a Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Renewable Energy and Energy Management

Connaught Academy - Solar water heating course has been developed in conjunction with the Solar Trade Association (STA), the UK trade association for solar water heating systems. The course is aimed at qualified or experienced domestic heating engineers and plumbers

British Eco - Bpec and LOGIC Certification offering nationally recognised renewable energy qualifications

Sundance - Offers a course on setting up a biodiesel enterprise with information on legislation, financing, operational logistics as well as practical opportunities for hands-on production of biodiesel and operation of a biodiesel plant

University of Glamorgan - Offers an MSc Renewable Energy and Resource Management

Heriot-Watt University - Teaches an MSc in Renewable Energy Redevelopment

University of Exeter - Renewable Energy Training Modules are aimed at recent graduates and established industry professionals who require fast track training in current Renewable Energy technologies

Better Generation - Now offers a range of courses written by engineers, for engineers, the training is practical and friendly, and is aimed at tradesmen carrying out electrical work as part of their day to day business

Durham University - Offering an MSc in New and Renewable Energy

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