The Oregon Institute of Technology was the first school in the United States to roll out a four-year undergraduate degree program in renewable energy. They graduated their first class of students in 2008, sending them into the ever-expanding field of green energy technology. Since then, colleges and universities throughout the nation have followed suit with their own renewable energy training programs. Some schools have even developed master's programs. The name and core focus of these programs vary from campus to campus. At Appalachian State University, students can focus on the design and construction of buildings in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Programs at Texas A&M zero in on wind energy; their researchers have been working on wind energy since 1970. Both Stanford and Southern Methodist University offer education programs pertaining to geothermal energy.
Two-year associate degrees and one-year training certificates are also springing up at many community colleges and technical schools throughout the nation. Bucks County Community College in Newton, Pennsylvania, has developed a green jobs academy. Students learn how to complete a comprehensive building assessment or become familiar with wind energy and green construction. In Utah, Salt Lake Community College trains students in LEED certification and the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. Amherst's University Without Walls programs at the University of Massachusetts offers online studies in sustainability. Even trade organizations like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation provide resources for training in green energy.
Many other non-degree training programs and workshops are available that provide education about solar and renewable energy. You can find classes at smaller nonprofits or by inquiring at your local City Hall. Don't limit your search to just solar education. Many programs offer a comprehensive look at sustainability and green technology by combining several different topics and not just focusing on solar.
Students and faculty with four-year degree programs in renewable energy report annual starting salaries between $45,000 and $60,000, slightly higher than graduates of two-year or technical programs. Students with an associate degree or certificate in renewable energy can expect to make an average of $35,000 to $45,000 per year. For the U.S. Department of Energy's detailed listing of programs, refer to Resources for more information.