Waubonsee Community College - Renewable Energy Technologies Certificates

http://www.waubonsee.edu/news_topic_summary.php?NewsID=1849

Sugar Grove, IL
(630) 466-7900, ext. 5756

New Academic Programs Announced
(01-21-2010)
Sugar Grove – At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees approved several new academic programs in emerging career fields, including renewable energy technologies, automotive recycling, health information technology, audio production technology and industrial technology. All programs will debut in the fall 2010 semester.

The board approved six occupational certificates in the new discipline of renewable energy technologies — photovoltaic basics, photovoltaic, small wind, solar thermal, geothermal basics and geothermal. Photovoltaic systems use sunlight to generate electricity, while solar thermal systems use sunlight to heat water. Geothermal systems are heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that harness heat from the earth’s core.

While the two basic certificates prepare students for entry-level positions in photovoltaic and geothermal systems, the other four allow graduates to get jobs installing and/or maintaining photovoltaic, small wind, solar thermal or geothermal systems.

The curricula for the photovoltaic, small wind and solar thermal certificates have been aligned with the standards set by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and graduates will have finished the coursework necessary to take the corresponding NABCEP certification exams. Both geothermal certificates qualify students to take the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association's accredited geothermal installer exam.

Retrieved from Waubonsee Community College website on 1/22/2010.