Training and Education

In addition to the renewable energy guides listed on this site, what other training and educational resources are available for a person interested in alternative or renewable energy? You can find various classes, seminars, continuing adult education and vocational training opportunities (on and off line) in all areas of alternative and renewable energy. You’ll also find colleges and universities now providing degree programs in an assortment of alternative and renewable energy disciplines. You should also check with your local community colleges to see if it provides not-for-credit accelerated learning classes in an Alternative or Renewable Energy Program. Below is a sampling of these resources that you can look into if your interested.

Click here to see an explanation of the Accreditations and Certifications applied to Renewable Energy training and education.

• Northwest Energy Education Institute – A department within Lane Community College (Eugene, Oregon) that trains and certifies professionals in energy management, including residential energy auditing and building operation.
• Solar Energy International – SEI is a USA non-profit organization that teaches individuals how to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems, and how to design and build efficient, sustainable homes. SEI offers trainings online and in 22 locations around the world.
• Midwest Renewable Energy Association – MREA is a non-profit, educational institution that offers workshops in the Midwest on solar energy, wind power, energy-efficient construction techniques, sustainable living, and more.
• Florida Solar Energy Center – Offers continuing education units and one- to two-day courses in photovoltaics, home energy rating certification, energy-efficient building strategies, and alternative fuel vehicles. Most courses include both classroom instruction and hands-on field experience.
• California Center For Sustainable Energy – Offers educational workshops given by leading industry experts at it’s Learning Center in San Diego. You can register now for seminars covering a wide variety of energy topics.
• Training4Green – Allied Schools’ Solar and Green Career Training program offers online solar business training, photovoltaic systems, photovoltaic systems installation, and fundamentals of green building courses.
• Boots on the Roof – Provides training for the renewable energy industry. The core goal of the program is to create the finest learning environment for professionals such as general contractors, electricians and plumbers. Boots on the Roof has training facilities in Fremont, California, New York and New Jersey.
• Sun Pirate, Inc. – Sun Pirate is primarily a California Licensed Solar Contractor specializing in Solar Pool Heating, Solar Water Heating, and Solar Electric Power Systems and online solar training. Sun Pirate has trained over 500 students for the solar industry in the solar thermal and photovoltaic areas.
• AltE University – Offers classes in Hudson, Massachusetts and Columbus, Ohio, directed to homeowners and professionals interested in renewable energy technology. You can learn about everything from home efficiency to how to install a photovoltaic system.
• CACTUS – Community Alliance for Career Training and Utility Solutions – Offers the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Training Series in various California cities. All courses will offer the student nationally recognized certification upon successful completion.
• CleanEdison – CleanEdison is a leading provider of Commercial Energy Audit and LEED Consulting Services, Energy Audit Training, Leed Exam Prep, BPI Certification Training and Solar Training. CleanEdison was one of the winners of the 2009 CTNGreen Green Excellence Seal for Green Education
• ProTrain – ProTrain provides online training and certifications in a variety of Green/Renewable Energy Programs. The Green/Renewable Energy Programs include: Entry level green training, LEED Certification, Indoor air quality, Energy auditing, Renewable energy training, sustainability training and Environmental training.
• Solar Living Institute – The Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA, is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to promote sustainable living through environmental education. The Institute provides practical, hands-on workshops on renewable energy, sustainable living practices, and alternative construction techniques.