Solar Energy Technician

Consumer and commercial demand for green energy systems (driven by tax credits and other energy incentives) continues to grow, as will the need for tradesman and contractors versed in green technology applications, including solar, wind, geothermal, and energy conservation (weatherization). The Alternative Energy Diploma track (with an integrated Solar Installer Career Studies Certificate) provides green energy training for contractors and tradesman and a pathway that can lead to a number of Construction and Energy related credentials including the Alternative Energy Systems (AES) Contractor Licensure endorsement, North American Board of Certified Energy Providers (NABCEP) Entry Level Solar PV training, and the OSHA 10-30 Construction Industry Safety Training.

Construction Technology Diploma, Alternative Energy Systems Track

Five semesters

First Year

First Semester

Course #	Course Title	Lect. Hrs.	Lab Hrs.	Credits	Transfer
BLD 110	Introduction to Construction	3	0	3
ELE 115 ^*	Basic Electricity	3	0	3
ENE 100 ^*	Conventional and Alternate Energy Applications	3	3	4
SDV 100 ¹	College Success Skills	1	0	1	View transfer information
Virginias Public Colleges & Universities Radford University UNIV 100 elective
BLD 215	OSHA 30 Construction Safety	2	0	2
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester		12	3	13

Second Semester

Course #	Course Title	Lect. Hrs.	Lab Hrs.	Credits	Transfer
BLD 105	Shop Practices and Procedures	2	3	2
ENE 105 ^*	Solar Thermal Active and Passive Technology	3	3	4
BLD 111	Blueprint Reading and the Building Code	2	2	3
ENG 100	Basic Occupational Communication	3	0	3	View transfer information

BLD 200	Sustainable Construction	2	0	2
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester		12	8	14

Summer Semester

Course #	Course Title	Lect. Hrs.	Lab Hrs.	Credits
BLD 190	Coordinated Internship	0	3	3
or ^*		0	9	3
BLD 198 ^*	Seminar and Project
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester		0	12	6

Second Year

Third Semester

Course #	Course Title	Lect. Hrs.	Lab Hrs.	Credits
BLD 101	Construction Management I	3	0	3
Elective ^**	Core Elective	3	0	3
ENE 99 ^*	Supervised Study in Alternative Energy	1	3	2
ENE 120 ^*	Solar Power-Photovoltaic and Thermal Technology	3	3	4
MTH 111 ²	Basic Technical Math	3	0	3
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester		13	6	15

Fourth Semester

Course #	Course Title	Lect. Hrs.	Lab Hrs.	Credits
ENE 110 ^*	Solar Power Installations	3	3	4
BLD 290	Coordinated Internship
or ^*		0	9	3
BLD 298 ^*	Seminar and Project
ENE 199	Supervised Study in Alternative Energy	3	3	4
MTH 130 ²	Fundamentals of Reasoning	3	0	3
Suggested Credits & Hours for Semester		9	15	14

Integrated 24 credit Solar Installer Career Studies Certificate

**Core Electives Include BLD 140, BLD 141, BLD 142, ELE 110, ELE 127, AIR 121, AIR 122

SDV Electives: SDV 101, SDV 104, SDV 108, SDV 110

Core Electives Include BLD 140, BLD 141, BLD 142, ELE 110, ELE 127, AIR 121, AIR 122

NOTE: Students may only earn ONE Construction Technology Diploma. Completion of additional coursework in multiple Construction Technology tracks MAY lead to the awarding of Career Studies Certificates in the other tracks if appropriate. Consult with your faculty advisor if you wish to earn multiple awards.

Integrated 24 credit Solar Installer Career Studies Certificate

MTH Electives: MTH 154, MTH 155, MTH 157, MTH 161, MTH 162, MTH 167, MTH 245, MTH 246, MTH 261, MTH 262, MTH 263, MTH 264, MTH 265, MTH 266, MTH 267