Hello Solar Enthusiasts! This page is a work in progress as we compile a resource of renewable energy educational opportunities. Please take a look at the TXSES calendar for upcoming classes, seminars and events. Calendar
K-12 Solar Education and Teacher Guides
Texas Solar For Schools Since 2001, Texas State Energy Conservation Office's Texas Solar for Schools Program has supplied many small-scale solar energy systems and commentary educational tools to school districts across the state. The schools save energy while saving money on their electric bills, and the students learn first hand about renewable energy and energy conservation. www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/re_solarschools.htm
The Infinite Power of Texas Created specifically for Texas schools and incorporating TEKS requirements, these K-12 lesson plans were commissioned by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) www.infinitepower.org/lessonplans.htm
The City Tour for Solar is a mobile photovoltaic (PV) solar educational event that traveled across 50 cities in 100 days, educating citizens & city leaders on the benefits and viability of solar power. www.citytourforsolar.com/teachingGuides.php
National Energy Education & Development Project /Created in 1980,
NEED is made up of teachers, students, partners, and sponsors who are striving to make energy education a priority in the nation’s schools.
www.need.org/curriculum.php
The Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge was established ten years ago to help motivate students in science and engineering. The Challenge, a part of The Winston School in Dallas, teaches high school students around the world how to build roadworthy solar cars.
www.winstonsolar.org/challenge/
Students at
The Betsy Ross School in Houston, pictured right, learn about the power of wind and solar through their energy station. These projects were made possible by grants from the
BP’s A Plus for Energy grant program written and won by teacher Bethel C. Nwachukwu.
BP has announced the launch of the 2009 A+ for Energy Program!
Higher Education Courses, Degrees and Solar Installer Certifications
Austin Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science Renewable Energy Specialization in Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Power, as well as individual courses in solar energy.. http://www.austincc.edu/ce/renewable/. In addition to providing hands-on experience, ACC’s courses prepare students for taking the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge or Photovoltaic System Installer Exam. www.nabcep.org
Capital Idea is an organization that provides scholarships to students in the ACC program. Read an Austin Business Journal article
here Visit Capital Idea
www.capitalidea.org/
Texas Renewable Energy Education Consortium It is the mission of TREEC, a group of Texas colleges, to investigate, develop, and teach curricula dedicated to post-secondary education in emerging energy technologies to meet the demand of the Texas Workforce. TREEC intends to create seamless pathways for education from secondary to post-secondary and university education. Through education, Texas will be a leader in the renewable and sustainable energy field. Schools in this association are Texas State Technical College Waco, Lamar Institute of Technology (Beaumont), Austin Community College, Houston Community Colege Northeast, St. Phillips College (San Antonio), and Texas State Technical College West Texas (Abilene, Sweetwater, Breckenridge and Brownwood).
treec.org/
Solar Energy Lab- University of Texas, Austin The solar energy program at UT Austin resides in the Mechanical Engineering department. The Solar Energy Laboratory includes space and equipment for solar energy related projects and research. The recent research emphasis is on solar radiation measurements at several sites across Texas compiled as the Texas Solar Radiation Data Base. An undergraduate course is offered in solar energy systems and design.
www.me.utexas.edu/~solarlab/
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners-NABCEP NABCEP offers certifications and certificate programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America. The certification program for solar electric installers is the NABCEP™ Solar PV Installer Certification.
www.nabcep.org/
ImagineSolar A member of TXSES, Imagine Solar in Austin provides informational seminars the first Saturday of the month at
Habitat Suites, as well as conducting one week workshops to prepare students for the Entry Level NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge Exam
ImagineSolar
Solar Energy International Solar Energy International (SEI) is a USA non-profit organization whose mission is to help others use renewable energy and environmental building technologies through education. SEI teaches individuals from all walks of life how to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems, and how to design and build efficient, sustainable homes. SEI offers trainings online and in 22 locations around the world.
www.solarenergy.org/
ADVEN, LLC In partnership with Texas Renewable Energy Education Consortium and Texas State Technical College Waco, ADVEN, LLC will offer NABCEP approved Solar Electric Installer Training courses in Texas. This NABCEP approved Solar Installer Training course will be offered in these major Texas cities in 2009 - Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Sweetwater, Waco, as well as cities in Louisianna.
ADVEN,LLC
Hubbert's Peak in Austin provides hands-on experience for students interested in training or re-training for a career in the emerging “green collar” industry. Hubbert's Peak is Austin's premiere hands-on solar school. We offer courses covering a variety of clean and sustainable technologies. Our bi-weekly photovoltaic(PV) workshops give students a comprehensive look at the applications for and installation of solar technology.
www.hubbertspeak.org/ Hubbert's Peak Newsletter
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