Solar Energy Technology - Associate Degree

Students gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)

An overview of various renewable energy technologies and sustainable design practices and their current applications. Emphasis will be placed on policies, renewable energy production, green products and jobs.

Topics include solving linear equations; graphing; percent; proportions; measurement systems; computational geometry; and right triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arithmetic score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)

Introduces the concepts of AC and DC power and basic circuits. Using a multimeter, students learn about voltage, current, and resistance in both AC and DC circuits.

An overview of the use of sunlight to produce heat and electricity and the practical and economical use of solar power and solar thermal systems. Learn the importance of energy efficiency and the economics of solar hybrid designs.

A study of joining processes including welding, brazing, soldering, mechanical fasteners and adhesives.

Applications/theory of basic physics principles: problem-solving, laboratory investigation, and applications including unit conversion and analysis, vectors, translational and rotational kinematics/dynamics, heat/temperature, and harmonic motion and waves. (Prereq: 2.6 GPA & Alg 2 or equiv w/C or better; OR Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 263, Arith greater/equal to 250, & QRAS greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Reading greater/equal to 17 & Math greater/equal to 24; OR Coll Tech Math 1A OR Int Alg w/C or better)

Creating worksheets; enter data, make modifications, work with formulas and functions, create and enhance charts, manage data, transform data, conditional formatting, importing/exporting data, introduction to PivotTables and PivotCharts.

Topics include: performing operations on polynomials; solving quadratic and rational equations; formula rearrangement; solving systems of equations; and oblique triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: 10-804-113, Tech Math 1A with grade C or better)

Electric motor control components such as switches, relays, starters, transformers; and safely mount and install motor and motor control components and perform related wiring and troubleshooting of motor control circuits.

What fluid power is, differentiate between hydraulics and pneumatics, implement basic pneumatic circuits, utilize schematics, apply Pascal's Law, define properties of fluids, implement airflow control and hydraulics cylinder circuits.

AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, logic operation using switch logic, ladder logic, and gate logic. Simplification methods using Boolean theorems and Karnaugh Maps, and timing diagram analysis.

Learn steps to performing a site audit prior to installation of a PV system. Focus on defining the solar window, system site placement, system sizing and design, load analysis and energy efficiency concepts. (Corequisite: 10-482-126, Intro to Solar)

Introduction to machine wiring, including basic documentation, labeling, and wiring practices; an overview of NFPA 79 machinery, safety and installation standards.

Operation and connection of latches, RS flip-flops, JK flip-flops, and D flip-flops using timing diagram analysis, and some simple applications are studied. (Pre-requisite: 10-660-101, Digital 1: Logic)

Electric motor control components such as sensors, timers and counters. (Co-requisite: 10-664-100, Automation 1: Control Logic)

Hydraulic pumps, basic hydraulics actuator circuits, hydraulic schematics, apply Pascal's Law, summarize the effects of fluids friction, define properties of hydraulic energy, design hydraulic circuits with directional control valves. (Co-requisite: 10-620-100, Fluids 1: Basic Pneumatics)

Study of the way inductive, capacitive and resistive components behave in a circuit excited by a sine waveform. Effective and average values of the sinewave are derived. (Pre-requisite: 10-660-105, DC 2: Circuits)

Topics include batteries, wiring configurations, system diagramming, National Electrical code, component selection, wiring, safety and system maintenance. (Prerequisites: 10-482-126 Intro to Solar; 10-660-116, Introduction to AC/DC)

Introduces the basic concepts of energy, utility systems and utility rate structures; defines the need for energy management as an integral part of society at all levels. The course will present the various opportunities available to energy management students.

Develop the knowledge skills process and understanding of site plans, footings and foundations, floor plans, elevations, below-grade piping, above-grade piping, isometric piping diagrams, schedules and details, electrical floor plans, lighting, ventilating, and air conditioning.

Provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the basic working knowledge and skills required in the application and design of solar energy systems that include energy storage and incorporate EV charging. Topics of concentration include types of energy storage, sizing energy storage, integrating energy storage with residential and commercial solar systems and EV charging systems. (Pre-Requisite: 10-482-133, Photovoltaics-Advanced)

Learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)

Identify commercial HVAC system types and the general energy use impact of each type. Calculations of system equipment efficiencies will be used to determine EER, SEER, AFUE, COP, combination and seasonal efficiency in boilers, balance point partial efficiency. (Corequisites: 10-481-114, Intro to Energy Management)

Introduces PV systems, how to monitor them, and troubleshooting issues.

Principles of report writing and correspondence, proposals, feasibility reports, progress reports, investigation reports, evaluation reports, meeting reports, memos, and correspondence. (Prerequisite: 10-801-136, English Composition I OR 10-801-195, Written Communication with “C” or better)

this course provides the opportunity for the learner to further develop their knowledge, skills, process and understanding of solar electric and solar thermal systems design and applications while learning basic business and trade skills. Emphasis will be placed on safety, system design, monitoring, installation, maintenance & troubleshooting. (Prerequisites: 10-483-107, Solar Thermal Design & Site; 10-482-132, Photovoltaics-Design & Site; 10-482-133, Photovoltaics-Adv; Corequisite: 10-483-108, Solar Thermal Advanced)

This science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).

This course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)