Associate of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources - Solar Energy Technology (104824)

The Solar Energy Technology program provides installers, designers, and technical sales personnel the skills to assess sites; design systems; an install, operate, and maintain solar electric and solar thermal systems for residential and commercial applications in the growing renewable energy industry. Potential employment possibilities will be with existing solar, electrical and mechanical contractors to help expand their offerings of solar energy technologies. Other possible areas of employment are with energy consulting firms, design firms and utilities. With additional education and experience, graduates can expand their careers to energy analyst, journeyperson electrician/plumber, project manager, energy engineer, and environmental consultant.

Program Outcomes: • Evaluate the energy use of commercial and residential buildings and perform site assessments for solar electric and solar thermal systems • Generate technical project proposals and estimates for solar electric and solar thermal systems • Read and comprehend mechanical blueprints • Upload and download information from remote and local networks to aid in the operation and maintenance of systems • Obtain, complete, and understand zoning regulations, building permit, utility intertie connection, and utility distributed generation agreements • Assist in design, install and maintain solar electric systems • Assist in design, install and maintain solar thermal systems • Ensure compliance with the national electrical code • Provide training to user upon project completion • Install, troubleshoot, repair and modify mechanical and electrical systems including programmable controllers