Solar & Other Renewable Energy Systems —

The student will learn and demonstrate the principles of energy efficient and solar design analysis and construction. Students will analyze the solar energy systems and will calculate solar savings fractions, backup heat needs, and economic analysis. The student will investigate the technologies and applications of other non-polluting and renewable forms of energy including wind power, photovoltaic and alternative transportation vehicles.
Tuition: ~$600.

Energy Management —

The student will perform critical examinations of energy consuming facilities both domestic and commercial for the purpose of identifying energy conservation opportunities. In addition, the student will identify various energy conservation techniques as well as equipment which can be installed to further conserve energy.
Tuition: ~$600.

Renewable Energy for International Development —

Renewable Energy for International Development

provides an examination of energy and economics in developing countries with special consideration given to renewable energy sources. The course will combine eight weeks of online instruction with ten days of travel and study abroad in Costa Rica. Students will learn to specify, design, and install renewable energy systems for developing countries. Field work will include design and installation of one or more of the following types of renewable energy systems:

• Small solar electric system (<200W off-grid)
• Micro-Hydropower generator (<2kW)
• Small scale wind generator (<1kW)
• Solar thermal hot water system
• Household methane biodigestor

Solar Electric Design & Installation—

This course will provide an overview of the three basic PV system applications, primarily focusing on grid-direct systems. The goal of the course is to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with all PV systems, including: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, mounting solutions, safety, and commissioning. The course will also cover the basics of sizing a residential grid-direct system, wire sizing, overcurrent protection, and grounding.
Tuition: $695

Grid-Direct Design & the NEC—

This workshop will build upon the core concepts from 10-482-130 and continue to emphasize grid-direct systems. The course will focus significantly on the National Electrical Code (NEC), including grid interface calculations, grounding considerations, and advanced component specification. Students will learn to evaluate system performance under various operating conditions. Commercial system design elements, such as inter-row shading, inverter selection, and data monitoring solutions will also be covered. Students can also receive college credit for all of our online classes through Madison Area Technical College.
Tuition: $795

Advanced Photovoltaic Electives —

These Advanced Photovoltaic Courses from the MREA, SEI and Madison College can be taken with permission from project administrators.

Battery–Based Design —

Apply the National Electrical Code (NEC) to battery-based systems to ensure safe, code-compliant design and installation. Students will work through step-by-step design process for battery-based applications, including stand-alone (off-grid), grid-tied with battery back-up, and hybrid systems. Topics such as load analysis, component selection, battery safety, voltage drop, and commissioning procedures will be presented. In addition to sizing exercises and calculations, students will explore additional design considerations unique to battery-based systems..
Tuition: $795

Introduction to Biofuels —

An introduction to solid, liquid and gaseous fuels derived from all sources. This course will cover the history of fuel use, placing petroleum into its proper context of being just one of the many alternatives being exploited by humans to fulfill current demands. Topics include the history of fuel and petroleum, peak oil, economics of petroleum and biofuels, engine design and fuel requirements, agriculture and fuels, wastes, conventional ethanol production, cellulosic ethanol, algae, other alcohols (biobutanol, etc.), biodiesel, biogas (anaerobic digestion), gasification, pyrolysis, fuel quality, environmental impacts, energy independence and national security. Check the MATC website for class details.

Introduction to Ethanol Fuel —

This course will provide the student with a general overview of ethanol fuel. Topics covered will include fermentation and distillation chemistry, ASTM fuel testing, engine performance, and exhaust emissions. An introduction to E85 fuel systems will also be included.

Introduction to Biodiesel Fuel —

This course will provide a general overview of biodiesel fuel. Production and quality control of biodiesel fuel will be explored, and students will have the opportunity to synthesize a small scale batch of biodiesel. Topics covered will include transesterification chemistry, separation techniques, ASTM fuel testing, engine performance, and exhaust emissions.Check the MATC website for class details.
Tuition: ~$100
$150 for out of state

Introduction to Hybrid Electric Vehicles —

This course will provide a general overview of hybrid electric vehicles. Topics covered will include hybrid propulsion systems, battery chemistry, high voltage safety, regenerative braking, and electric motors and generators.

PV Design and Installation—

This workshop is designed to offer students a higher level of lecture and hands-on learning that will prepare them for field installations and other advanced workshops. Students will learn how to correctly size and select PV system components. Participants will identify and interpret NEC codes that pertain to the installations. Our outdoor training roof enables our instructors to teach safety, system design and layout, component selection, wiring techniques, installation techniques, and troubleshooting.
Tuition: $700

Basic Photovoltaics & PV Site Assessor Training —

These two one-day classes provide an overview of basic photovoltaic systems and the steps necessary to performing a site audit. Two MREA courses (MREA PV 101.XX and PV 201.XX) are required for this 1 credit CERET Certificate course.
Students will learn the basics of photovoltaic system components and the steps necessary to performing a site audit prior to an installation on a PV system.Focus is put on the defining the solar window, system siting and sizing, load analysis and energy efficiency.
Tuition: ~$340

Intermediate Photovoltaics —

This 16-hour course uses lecture and hands-on classroom activities to teach the basic principles of PV system design and installation. Participants will learn basic installation techniques, including system sizing, system layout, battery connections, safety, and basic line drawings. Participants will size, connect, and test a small battery-based DC system and an AC grid intertie system. This class is recommended for students working toward NABCEP Certification or planning on attending MREA advanced classes. 12 students maximum.
Tuition: ~$430

Advanced PV Installation —

This 32-hour workshop provides an advanced level of lecture and hands-on training that prepares the participants for designing Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. In depth discussions will include: product specification, product integration, system design capabilities and limits, major system design issues, common mistakes and solutions. MREA's PV Design and Installation Lab Course, PV 301.XX, is required for this 1 credit CERET certificate course.
Tuition: ~$700

Solar Domestic Hot Water and Site Assessment —

These two one-day classes provide provide an overview of solar systems for domestic hot water and space heating applications. These systems can provide in excess of 50 percent of a home's hot water and/or space heating needs, reducing the consumption of costly fossil fuel energy sources. This class includes an introduction to integrated collector/storage, open loop, closed loop, drainback, draindown, and antifreeze hot water systems. Solar hot air heating, in-floor radiant heating, and high mass thermal storage are also covered. Additional topics include choosing a site, system sizing, system components, system design types and basic installation techniques.Two MREA courses (MREA SW 101.XX and SW 102.XX) are required for this 1 credit CERET Certificate course.
Tuition: ~$340

Solar Water Installation—

In this 24-hour course, students will learn the basics of how to properly install two solar domestic hot water heating systems suitable for northern climates. The hands-on workshop includes both theory and installation practice. Two systems will be installed on a training roof, drainback and pressurized closed-loop systems. This class will qualify you to be on the Focus on Energy Full Service Installer List.
Tuition: $550

Solar Thermal Electives —

These Advanced Solar Thermal Electives from the MREA, SEI and Madison College can be taken with permission from project administrators.

Wind Site Assessor Training —

This workshop will help participants learn how to evaluate a site’s wind energy potential, determine wind speeds at proposed heights, make a load profile for a client’s energy needs, determine appropriate tower heights, and estimate kWh output for a system based upon wind resources. The training will lead participants through the background information required to perform wind site assessments for the Focus on Energy program and other state incentive programs, for the home or business owner to assess their site, and for taking the Wind Site Assessor Certification Test. Recommended for professionals looking to begin in the wind business, beginner wind dealers, educators, and homeowners. Prerequisite: Intro to Wind Energy Systems.
Tuition: $480

Wind Turbine Repair and Maintenance —

Participants in this workshop will perform repairs and annual maintenance on a number of area wind turbines and systems. This is a working workshop with optional tower climbing. Machines from 1 kW to 20 kW will be covered, including work on freestanding, guyed lattice, and tilt-up towers. Prerequisites: Introduction to Wind Systems, Wind Turbine Design Considerations and Introduction to Tower Climbing.
Tuition: $780

Introduction to Wind Turbine Installation —

Students will assemble and erect a short, 60-foot guyed tilt-up tower that was constructed at the previous "Wind Turbine Design and Construction" course at the MREA, along with the wind turbine that was built there. We will also install a temporary battery-based power system and hope for some wind! It's suggested that students who take Wind Turbine Design and Construction also take this installation class. It will be a "crash course" on wind turbine installation basics, wind turbine siting, tower safety, and tilt-up tower design.
Tuition: $400

Advanced Wind Electives —

These Advanced Wind Courses from the MREA and Madison College can be taken with permission from project administrators.

Wood Combustion Heating Systems —

Students will learn how to burn wood cleanly and efficiently .The use of wood in residential heating systems is covered with attention given to firebox insulation, primary and secondary combustion air, fuel bed construction, burn zones, baffles and heat/transfer/distribution.