Renewable Energy Center

Renewable Energy Business Certificate

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Next class begins in June. Rolling admissions until June 11. Click here!

MOVE THE CLASS ONLINE

SKILLS NECESSARY FOR A CAREER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY BUSINESS AND POLICY

DEVELOPED WITH U.S. DOE, INDUSTRY, AND LENDERS TO MEET WORKFORCE NEEDS

REcertificate_students

Focus on the BUSINESS of Renewable Energy
First of its kind, emphasis on market perspectives, project planning and finance, economics and policy

Get The Training You Need
The skills and knowledge employers need you to have

Sit Down with an Expert
Week after week, you are in contact with an international renewable energy expert giving you the latest, nuts-and-bolts information

Anywhere
The online course allows you the freedom to take the course from anywhere with web access with cutting-edge classroom technology

Save Money and Time
A convenient and cost effective alternative to expensive travel

Saint Francis University's School of Business is offering an online Renewable Energy Certificate program designed to provide working professionals with the knowledge and real-world, practical perspectives on renewable energy and alternative energy technologies necessary for a career in this fast growing new industry.

The Certificate program is unique because it focuses on the business and policy aspects of the industry. Most programs address only the technical considerations of renewable energy. The RE Certificate program helps students understand the technology but more importantly it prepares them to work effectively in the deployment of the technology in the changing domestic and global marketplace.

We provide the knowledge needed by power company business staff and managers, project developers, engineers, accountants, and attorneys; government regulators; and non-profit leaders. Our students are in Mexico, the Philippines, Portugal, Korea, and throughout the United States. The program is for those interested in

- The expanding renewable energy industry
- Wind power and other renewable technologies
- Project development and financing
- Business challenges and opportunities
- Environmental and climate change solutions
- Strategic energy planning and market development
- New business paradigms in the energy arena

Course listing

Each class is 10 weeks long.

1. Introduction to Wind Energy

Focuses on resource potential, basic physics and technology mechanics, application configurations, measuring and evaluating wind, project economics, and environmental issues and benefits.
Student learns to understand technology, theory, and practice in the wind business with domestic and international perspectives.
View syllabus and session objectives

2. Wind Energy Project Planning and Financing

Project planning and development are covered, including: financial proformas, interconnection to the electrical grid, environmental issues, legislative and regulatory considerations, project siting, installation, operation, and maintenance.
Stresses policy, financial, and community issues.
View syllabus and session objectives

3. Project Cost and Risk Mngmt

Highlights need to know basics about how to thrive in renewable energy project environments - to think critically about project management principles and to apply them to reduce costs and risks.
View syllabus and session objectives

4. Renewable Energy Applications

An overview of the various renewable energy technologies and their current applications. Technologies included are: passive and active solar thermal, photovoltaics, small-scale hydrodynamic generation, geothermal, and bio-fuels. Measurement of sustainable energy resources, their basic physics, and finance is covered.
Includes energy consumption, efficiency, and conservation.
View syllabus and session objectives

"Saint Francis University has made an unprecedented commitment to creating an
educational curriculum to provide basic and applicable knowledge to
individuals interested in participating in the exponential growth of the
renewable industry." -Dale Osborn, Distributed Generation Systems, Inc.

Curriculum Development Committee

This program was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the help of industry and government to meet employer needs. The Curriculum Development Committee includes representatives from turbine manufacturers, wind farm developers, utilities, engineering firms, lenders, and regulators.

Curriculum Development 1 Curriculum Development 2

International Partners

Saint Francis University is partnering with Coastal Renewable Energy Technology Center to offer this program in the Philippines.

REcertificate_windfarm

"The development of renewable energy curriculum is starting to take root around the country.
I especially like this offering at St. Francis
University for the Renewable Energy Certificate because it will
train people to work in the marketplace today, immediately making the
students employable in the wind power industry. This is a welcome and
timely offering." -Michael Eckhart, former President, American Council on
Renewable Energy (ACORE)

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