There is a lot of controversies that are centered on the controversy about climate change it seems null and void, which is fantastic news for sources of renewable and sustainable solar energy industries. As these sources of renewable energy industries are poised for growth, there will be a higher demand for qualified professionals to develop, install, as well as maintain sources of renewable energy technologies.

The Top Schools for Studying Solar Energy

As sources of renewable energy and solar panels continue to grow in popularity, it’s a great industry to try to get involved in. There are college degrees geared towards working in the sources of renewable energy industries or sustainable energy systems.

The Oregon Institute of Technology

Back in 2005, the Oregon Institute of Technology was the very first four-year undergraduate degree program in sources of renewable energy. Today, the Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering program continues to prepare the graduate to develop, manage, and implement sustainable sources of renewable energy technologies.

The program provides a foundation in math, physics, and chemistry. The core courses include instruction for energy management, solar wind power energy, photovoltaic cells, and fuel cells. The institute also added a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering in 2012.

University of California Berkeley

Just like California has been a leader in solar energy, Berkeley has been a leader in research that addresses global issues as well as concerns. It has a full-time MBA program in solar energy and clean technology was created to help individuals in the business, as well as public policy sectors, address energy problems. The program explores energy issues from every angle, including engineering, environmental, and fundamental science perspectives, and is one of the very few programs like this in California.

The University’s Renewable Energy Speaker Series invites leaders in a variety of sustainable and alternative energy sectors to share their insights with current students. Another class partners students with other graduate students from law, engineering, science and policy programs to address the challenges of bringing new solar energy as well as other sources of renewable energy technology to the global marketplace.

The University of Texas at Austin

The engineering program at UT Austin offers an extensive Energy Systems and Renewable Energy Technical Core for bachelor-level engineering students. The program aims to prepare graduates for careers in power systems and generation, grid operation, and sources of renewable energy.

Students that are enrolled in this four-year program study both traditional and sources of renewable energy resources and explore the function and design of electrical machines. Courses cover topics such as nuclear power systems, solar conversion devices, the development of solar-powered systems.

University of Michigan 

The University of Michigan’s Energy Institute offers master's degrees in energy systems engineering and sustainable systems. The Energy Systems Engineering program is the first in the country that focuses on developing leaders who are prepared to dynamically respond to the changes in the environmental and energy needs across the globe.

The Sustainable Systems program is a dual degree that is geared towards preparing graduates with strong foundations in both engineering and sustainability. The program will include courses on ecological sustainability, infrastructure, and how to communicate energy solutions to policymakers. Graduates aren’t going to only be able to engineer energy systems that are sustainable economically, environmentally and socially.

Stanford

Through its Center for Professional Development, Stanford offers graduate and professional certificate programs in sources of renewable energy. These energy technology certificates are created for working professionals who would like to expand their knowledge or broaden their career options. Certificates take between one and two years to complete and are offered online to better meet the needs of students that are already working full-time in their field.

Stanford students can either get a graduate certificate in energy engineering and technologies or professional certificate in energy innovation and emerging technologies. Courses explore everything from cellulosic biofuels to photovoltaic cells to electrochemical energy conversion and entrepreneurship in engineering and science-based industries.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone that the innovative tech leader MIT has an energy studies minor that provides students with a combination of theory and hands-on experience. MIT views energy as a subject that permeates across all disciplines, the university integrates undergraduate energy education across all schools, departments, and programs.

MIT also presents undergraduates with the chance to participate firsthand in energy research that is related to a variety of energy and environmental challenges. Research opportunities are held over the summer and involve energy sources like solar wind power energy, solar panels, nuclear, and geothermal.

The Sources of Renewable Energy Demand

With the demand increasing for clean, sources of renewable energy, there will be an increased need for skilled workers. There’s plenty of options that are available for people who are looking to start a career in sources of renewable energy or expand their current professional goals to include sustainable energy. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, these are among some of the top colleges to begin researching which program will meet your education needs as well as career goals.