Renewable energy education

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Programs and courses

The Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency (RE/EE) program offers a range of courses which provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level employment opportunities in the growing RE/EE field.

Students need not be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at GCC to take these classes, although registration priority is given to those students who are. (In addition, "green" workshops are often available from GCC's Office of Community Education.)

Students watch GCC President Robert Pura commemorate the installation of the College's solar power plant

Students watch GCC President Robert Pura commemorate the installation of the College's solar power plant.

For students already employed in the trades, classes in the RE/EE program offer professional development and skill enhancement relevant to specific renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies, as well as broader understanding of the scientific, economic and political context of the industry. They provide all students with knowledge and skills needed for continued learning and education in the renewable energy/energy efficiency field, including the option to transfer into an associate's degree or four-year programs. The technical courses in this program may be taken for credit or credit-free. Students taking credit courses may earn a certificate in Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency or, beginning fall 2009, a two-year associate's degree in liberal arts. Several course sequences also earn students eligibility to sit for industry-based exams, such as the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Basic Knowledge exam.

 

Students learn the mechanics of solar hot water heating

Students learn the mechanics of solar hot water heating

Certificate in Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency

Degree program in Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency

GCC student presents a project on sustainability

GCC student presents a project on sustainability.

Credit or credit-free?

Many of the courses offered in the RE/EE program offer a credit or credit-free option. Any student is eligible to take the course for credit, and individual courses can be taken with or without applying for admission to the college. Most credit courses in the RE/EE have prerequisites that require students to sit for the College Placement Test in math and/or English or document placement test or coursework elsewhere. There is no cost to take the placement test. Students completing credit courses receive a grade that is recorded on an official college transcript. Credit courses may be used toward fulfillment of certificate or degree programs at the college.

Students may participate in the credit-free portion of the course without taking a placement test, although they are encouraged to take the placement test if they are uncertain about whether their skills in math and/or English match with course content. There is no cost to take the placement test. In the credit-free section of the course guide, students will find a description of the math and/or English skills recommended for successful participation in the course. Students choosing the credit-free option may and are encouraged to participate in all of the activities, assignments and assessments of the course, and may receive an unofficial grade from the instructor. Criteria for "successful completion" is outlined in each course syllabus and, if met, will earn the student a certificate of completion for that course. Credit-free courses may not be used toward fulfillment of certificate or degree requirements at the college.

How to register

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy refers to energy sources that cannot be depleted or used up. These include solar thermal energy to heat water and buildings, and solar, wind, and hydropower to make electricity. Renewable energy sources are different from fossil fuel energy (oil, coal and natural gas) and nuclear energy (uranium) which, when used up, can not be replenished.

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency means using energy wisely and reducing or minimizing the unnecessary waste of energy. Energy efficiency is the first step toward sustainable energy use, before the implementation of renewable energy technologies.

What classes in renewable energy and energy efficiency are being offered at GCC?

See above.

GCC graduate and President of Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics (PV)2 Matthew Sirum

GCC graduate and President of Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics (PV)2 Matthew Sirum

Who takes these classes?

Contractors, electricians or plumbers wanting specific hands-on training. General liberal arts students looking for inspiring one to four credit electives. Anyone contemplating a career in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The renewable energy and energy efficiency classes attract a creative mix of interested GCC students, community members, trades people and workers looking for education and training.

Who teaches these classes?

Our instructors are working professionals with years of installation and business experience. They have performed thousands of solar installations and energy audits, are qualified teachers, and bring their expertise, commitment, passion and enthusiasm into the classroom.

What kind of technical background do I need to take these classes?

None. While these are technical classes, you need no prior technical background. These classes attract a wide variety of students , some with years of experience in the trades fields and some with none. It may make sense for you to take certain classes before you take others, such as Fundamentals of Electricity before the Photovoltaics classes. Talk to one of the Program Coordinators to decide which course or course sequence will work best for you.

What prerequisites are necessary?

Math 090 (Basic Mathematics Skills) or a satisfactory placement score is a prerequisite for all of the RE/EE classes with the exception of Science 110 (Sustainable Energy Fundamentals). Math 105 (Introductory Algebra) is required for Science 120 (Sustainable Energy: Theory and Practice) and is recommended for other classes as well. College 090 (College Reading Strategies) and English 090 (College Writing Strategies) or a satisfactory placement score is a requirement for Science 112 (Fundamentals of Electricity) and Science 120. SCI 121(Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology) is a prerequisite for SCI 221 (Photovoltaic Installation). To find out where you fall in these prerequisites, you can schedule a placement exam by calling the GCC Testing Center at 775-1147 or 775-1821.

Tell me more about the math.

Basic math skills are a requirement for doing well in energy classes. Math 090 (Basic Mathematics Skills) or a satisfactory placement score is a prerequisite for all of the RE/EE classes with the exception of Science 110 (Sustainable Energy Fundamentals). Math 090 includes the study of basic arithmetic operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing), fractions, decimals, percents, and measurement.

Math 105 (Introductory Algebra) is required for Science 120 (Sustainable Energy: Theory and Practice) and is recommended for other energy classes as well. Math 105 is an introductory algebra course, which assumes a working knowledge of basic arithmetic. Students study topics that include the concept of a variable, negative numbers, properties of real numbers, numeric and algebraic expressions, polynomials, linear equations and inequalities in one variable, integer exponents, coordinate geometry and graphing two variable equations.

To find out where you fall in the math course sequence you can take a math placement exam. Call the GCC Testing Center at 775-1147 or 775-1821 or email boucias@gcc.mass.edu to schedule a time to take the test.

What if I am not a regular student, not interested in the certificate or degree, and only want to take one or two classes?

As long as you meet the prerequisites, taking as many (or as few) classes as you want is just fine. Students do not need to be enrolled in a degree or certificate program to take any of the energy classes.

What about NABCEP certification?

NABCEP (The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) has developed an examination for the Photovoltaics Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge. The Entry Level Certificate Programis designed for those individuals wanting to get into the solar field; it isa way for them to show they have achieved basic knowledge comprehension and application of key terms and concepts of photovoltaic (solar electric) system operations.

GCC professor Teresa Jones

GCC professor Teresa Jones with materials from a sustainability course

The certificate demonstrates that the student has passed an industry-designed exam based on learning objectives developed by subject matter experts.

As the market grows for photovoltaics, students holding this industry-sponsored Entry Level Certificatemay find that their employment opportunities are enhanced by starting the job with an understanding of the basic terms and operational aspects of a PV system. However, the Certificate by itself does not qualify an individual to install PV systems.

GCC offers students the opportunity to take the NABCEP exam at GCC following completion of the photovoltaic classes.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in taking these courses for credit, please contact the Office of Admission at admission@gcc.mass.edu or (413) 775-1801 or your academic advisor (if you have one) to register. In some cases the cost of grant-affiliated credit classes may also be substantially reduced.

If you are interested in taking these courses and not receiving college credit please apply on line by visiting http://www.gcc.mass.edu/spc and filling out the online registration form. Credit free courses can be grant supported at a substantially reduced fee to students.

Who can I talk to for more information?

Email renewable@gcc.mass.edu or leave a message on our information hotline, 413-775-1423, and someone will get back to you.

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