I don't know anything, but this is what a search of renewable energy education got,"

1. Renewable Energy Trainingwww.siemens.com/answers Energy from anywhere is reaching everywhere: Siemens Green Energy.
2. GE Smart Grid Technologyge.ecomagination.com/smartgrid GE renewable energy grid technology helping to build a better tomorrow
3. Energy and Sustainabilitywww.universitycollege.du.edu Master's Degree and Certificate Degree online or on campus

Search Results

1. Renewable Energy Education and Training Information | Business.comY Cached - Similar
2. Solar Training, Solar Education, Solar School, Panel Training ... - Cached - Similar
3. RES | the School for Renewable Energy Science
   Graduate School - Contact us - Admissions - Hydropowerwww.res.is/ - Cached - Similar
4. EERE: Energy Education and Workforce Development Home Page- Cached - Similar
5. University of Toledo Considers Alternative Energy Scho

Good luck!

His best bet is to pursue Mechanical Engineering at one of several US universities in the Southwest that specialize in this sort of thing. New Mexico State in Las Cruces had great solar programs when I went there, University of New Mexico in Albuquerque has a strong connection to the Sandia National Labs and so has a number of researchers in this area.

CU near Denver Colorado is the place for renewable engery though as it is closely associated with NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab). Of these I would go for CU. Colorado State is also a good choice.

You don't get a Green Energy degree. You apply and get accepted and graduate at a real engineering school that is ABET certified. Many colleges and universities will do.

If the school offers a "green" engineering degree do not walk away...run!

Power plant engineering is a sub sect of Mechanical Engineering branch. He can do Mechanical engineering with specialization in renewable energies. Environmental Engineering is another field of specialization which he can consider if he is not interested in Mechanical engineering.

Thank you, everyone. I assumed it would mean he did some undergraduate work in general mechanical or civil engineering, but I appreciate the resources.

I didn't just want to do a simple Google search because of the degree mills that are out there. I know of people who thought they were getting a legit degree and paid good money for it only to find out it the place was not recognized as an accredited university. Being that I know little about this, I figured people who were in the field would have a good idea of where to get started.

Hello Shakespeare,

It all depends on what your brother-in-law wants to do for a living, be either an engineer or an installer.

I know of no ABET accredited colleges in the USA that offer a "Green Degree" per se, although several of the community colleges throughout New York State do offer courses where you earn a Certification to become an "Installer", which BTW is required by NYSERDA, especially if you want to install Solar PV systems, Solar Thermal systems, geothermal systems, and wind generation equipment. NYSERDA requires the Installer Certificate if you have clients applying for the NYSERDA Energy Rebates.

If your brother-in-law wants to pursue that avenue, then may I suggest that he telephone Betsy at SunDogSolar in Chatham, NY, and inquire about the program. I know that she teaches those certification courses at the community colleges located throughout NYS, and will be more then than happy to assist him. Tell him to tell her, that Mark M. recommended her, okay!????

Good luck to your Bro-In-Law in his future endeavors!

Awesome. Thank you very much for the clarification, info, and the contact info. I think this more of where he is thinking rather than an engineering degree.

Dear Shakespeare,

Glad to have been of service.

Please let us know how he makes out, okay?

BTW, SunDogSolar is the Installation Contractor that'll be installing the Solar PV system on my house very shortly. I've talked to Betsy there many times on the phone and she's very nice and extremely knowledgable!

Good luck!

It depends in what capacity he desires to perform. Within the "Renewable Energy" sector, jobs vary from scientific, technical, manufacturing, research, administrative, regulatory, maintenance, etc.

If he is looking at the technical/scientific side of it, start with a 4-year accredited degree in Engineering. His end goal will help him choose the specific discipline (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Civil, etc.)

After his 4-year, he can either study for his P.E. License or find entry-level work at an organization that has the kind of job and does the kinds of things he is looking to do.

From there he can pursue his Masters if he'd like, or specialized training specific to his job or desired job growth.

If he is more interested in the research side of the house, again start with Engineering but halfway through his undergrad have him look for facilities such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory where he can spend his summer internships. Heck, even if he is not looking at getting into research, internships are a great way to go in any technical field.

But, if I may read into your post a little. He is your brother-in-law which means he's married, and either has already or may be planning on having a family so I'm not sure if full-time college or summer internships are a consideration. Full-time college while pursuing a technical degree requires a lot of out-of-the-classroom work.

So, if part-time college is his option because he has to maintain an income then have him start with taking his core classes that will meet the requirements of an accredited engineering degree... his math, science, physics cores will be needed regardless of discipline. Maybe have him focus on his 2-year first getting an Associates in Mechanical Engineering, or even just a CAD drafting certificate program. This will get him in the door at the entry level of an engineering firm, or department, getting applicable experience while completing the balance of his degree.

The key issue is that Renewable Energy is an evolving discipline so there is no established degree or curriculum. If it were that established then we'd already be using it, if that makes sense. It is a specialized branch of the major disciplines that requires specialized training or experience; so he should start with one of the 4 core disciplines first.

Oh, one final thing to make sure you look at... in Mechanical as an example... you can get a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technologies.. think theory vs. applied... the math requirements are different, what type of Master's program you can get into vary with each one. Can't speak to which one is better because it depends on his desires and goals... Does he want to be a part of cutting-edge technological research and development, helping come up with solutions that don't exist yet... then theory is the way to go. Or does he want to work on tangible products, designing more cost efficient windmills... then applied is just as good.

Think of the difference as the theory guy can develop the formula that you would need to calculate what happens when a 100 mile an hour wind gust hits your windmill where the applied guy knows what book to find the formula that the theory guy already developed. Regardless, it's something to keep your eyes on... too many time I hear of students having to retake all their math because the courses they took at the local community college were applied and their 4-year college only offers theory.

JavaHead

OIT (oregon institute of technology) has four year engineering degrees in renewable energy.

Hi STE,

The really obvious reply and pretty easy too, is if you want a serious Degree in Green Engineering, .............. Grow Cucumbers. The Engineering part is in getting them to grow straight!

My friend almost got a green engineering degree, but got pipped at the post.

His brother played it safe and grew tomatoes. The green foliage and stems for...... green, and the red of the tomatoes in case this green energy thing goes bazumars up so as to speak.

You could grow peppers and be a real hot 'man', and chilly 'cool' at the same time.

Just a thought.