Solar lab technicians work in research and development in solar energy. The scope of the job includes design, testing, production and implementation of new technology. Solar lab technicians must have knowledge of the photovoltaic process, which is the process by which the sun's radiation is converted into renewable energy. Course work such as fundamentals of AC/DC, manufacturing energy and photovoltaics offered with an associate's degree program prepare you for this position.
Wind turbines are extremely complex and so technicians who service them require a specialized skill set. A wind field technician routinely provides maintenance to the turbines to prevent interruptions in service, as interruptions are costly. Most wind farms are located in remote, rural areas, so turbine technicians travel frequently or live in these remote locations for periods of time. Classes in wind energy, plant operation and instrumentation and control offered as part of an associate's degree in clean energy technology prepare you for this position.
The clean energy technologies are complex pieces of equipment and installing them takes a great deal of knowledge. Installation technicians work with a diverse team, such as crane operators, project managers and electricians, to install this technology. Courses within an associate's program relevant to this position are instrumentation and control, substations and transformers, and turbine energy.
A fabrication and testing technician assists in the research and development of new green technologies such as reusable batteries and alternative energy source capture. Working closely with engineers who design this technology, the technician carries out experiments to test the efficacy of a new design. Together, engineers and technicians develop new products, taking them from concept to reality. Manufacturing and engineering courses offered within an associate's program prepare you for this position.