Renewable Energy Solar

Associate Degree Program

In 2014, according to the National Solar Job Census, the solar industry added jobs 20 times faster than the overall economy. The rapidly falling prices of solar panels and advances in technology have helped create this job boom prompting Delaware’s photovoltaic companies, homebuilders, government agencies and electric utility companies to seek qualified individuals to work in the solar field. There has never been a better time to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to become a solar professional!

Delaware Tech has responded with a two-year degree in Renewable Energy – Solar that will prepare you for immediate employment in various entry-level positions in the industry – for both national companies and local businesses. You will learn the basics of customer service, perform site assessment, install solar arrays, perform energy and economic analysis, and prepare technical and sales reports. Our program focuses on hands-on training using state-of-the art-technology and real-world experiences including work experience with an energy company.

As a Renewable Energy-Solar graduate, you'll be prepared to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Entry Level Program Exam. With additional field experience, you’ll have an opportunity to seek NABCEP Photovoltaic (PV) Technical Sales Certification, PV Installer Certification or Solar Thermal Certification. All graduates will also have OSHA 10 certification with the option of earning OSHA 30 certification. All these certifications are nationally-recognized and will help you become and remain employed.

If you enjoy real-world problem solving by performing a mixture of field and analytical work and want to work in an industry that is helping to create a healthier environment, then a career in the solar industry may be for you.

This program is offered at the Dover campus.

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare you for positions such as:

• Photovoltaic Technical Salesperson
• PV Installer
• Site Assessor
• System Designer

What You Will Earn

Salaries vary for solar professionals depending on the position. The median salary for PV installers in Delaware in 2010 was $38,000.

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

1. Utilize building system and energy technology hardware and software to gather data on building lighting systems operation and energy consumption.
2. Calculate, analyze, and verify the energy use of buildings based upon the interaction of energy consuming building systems.
3. Evaluate residential buildings and make recommendations for optimized building performance and occupant comfort.
4. Prepare and present technical reports.
5. Analyze the economic, environmental, and business implications of potential energy measures.
6. Perform preliminary and in depth site and customer suitability evaluation of potential applications for solar use.
7. Design and calculate the output of an optimal site-specific array by deriving panel configuration and specifying components.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree?

This is a Connected Degree program that enables you to complete your associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior. See a program advisor for details!