Program Code: AAS.RNEWNRGYTECH
The Renewable Energy Technology (RET) program provides technical training for employment in the field of manufacturing, installation and maintenance of renewable energy systems and products. Graduates will be prepared to integrate, install and make repairs related to equipment and controls. This program takes a broad-based approach to training renewable energy technicians, with emphasis on mechanical and electro-mechanical systems, fluid power, instrumentation and controls as well as systems troubleshooting. RET graduates will be prepared to work in the capacity of a technician with specialized skills in energy system measurement, energy efficiency, system design and electronic controls.
For information contact the Industrial Technology Department at 503-594-3318.
Related Instruction Outcomes
Computation
- 1 course - MTH-050 Technical Mathematics I
- Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems.
Communication
- 1 course - WR-101 Workplace Writing or WR-121Z Composition I
- Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for professional audiences.
Human Relations
- 3 credits - See Related Instruction for course list
- Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals.
Physical Education/Health/Safety/First Aid
- 1 course - MFG-107 Industrial Safety & First Aid
- Use effective life skills to improve and maintain mental and physical well-being.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- communicate effectively through technical drawings to determine product and customer specifications in building systems, energy products and thermal components;
- diagnose and repair electromechanical systems;
- design, install and troubleshoot electrical and fluid power controls related to energy system integration;
- analyze potential energy sources and select appropriate technologies;
- perform a residential energy audit, recommend and implement remediation measures;
- communicate the pros and cons of renewable energy technologies to a diverse user base;
- determine the financial feasibility of a project through the mathematical analysis of thermal and electrical energy problems.
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| First Term |
|---|
| EET-139 | Principles of Troubleshooting I | 2 |
| IMT-104 | Reading Schematics and Symbols | 2 |
| MFG-130 | Basic Electricity I | 3 |
| MTH-050 | Technical Mathematics I | 4 |
| RET-200 | Renewable Energy Systems | 2 |
| 3 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| Second Term |
|---|
| IMT-120 | Industrial Machinery I | 3 |
| MFG-109 | Computer Literacy for Technicians | 3 |
| MFG-131 | Basic Electricity II | 3 |
| MFG-221 | Materials Science | 3 |
| MTH-080 | Technical Mathematics II | 3 |
| RET-209 | Renewable Energy I: Energy Efficiency | 3 |
| | Credits | 18 |
| Third Term |
|---|
| IMT-220 | Industrial Machinery II | 3 |
| MFG-107 | Industrial Safety & First Aid | 3 |
| MFG-132 | Basic Electricity III | 3 |
| RET-211 | Renewable Energy II: System Fundamentals | 3 |
WR-101
| Workplace Writing
or Composition I | 4 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fourth Term |
|---|
| 3-4 |
| Introduction to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning | |
| Machining for Fabrication & Maintenance | |
| Welding Processes | |
| EET-215 | Technical Mechanics | 3 |
| IMT-108 | Rigging and Lifting | 2 |
| RET-213 | Renewable Energy III: Installation & Maintenance | 3 |
| RET-240 | Alternative Fuels | 4 |
| | Credits | 15-16 |
| Fifth Term |
|---|
| EET-225 | Mechatronics I | 2 |
| EET-233 | Programmable Logic Controllers I | 3 |
| MFG-140 | Principles of Fluid Power | 3 |
| MFG-209 | Programming & Automation for Manufacturing | 3 |
| RET-215 | Renewable Energy IV: Systems Design | 3 |
| 3 |
| | Credits | 17 |
| Sixth Term |
|---|
| EET-234 | Programmable Logic Controllers II | 3 |
| EET-235 | Mechatronics II | 2 |
HD-209
| Job Search Skills
or Renewable Energy/CWE | 3-4 |
| IMT-223 | Instrumentation & Controls | 3 |
| RET-217 | Renewable Energy Capstone Project | 3 |
| RET-220 | SCADA Fundamentals | 3 |
| | Credits | 17-18 |
| | Total Credits | 99-101 |
Electives
Any CDT course not included in the program.
Career opportunities include:
- residential/commercial energy systems integrator
- energy audit and efficiency technician
- energy systems installer
- photo-voltaic (PV) manufacturing and industrial maintenance technician
- wind turbine technician
- limited renewable technician
- PV, geothermal and solar thermal technicians
