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Renewable energy consultant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a renewable energy consultant. Renewable energy consultants usually study business, electrical engineering, or finance. 65% of renewable energy consultants hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 155 real renewable energy consultant resumes to see exactly what renewable energy consultant education sections show.

The most common colleges for renewable energy consultants are the Texas State University and the Texas State University.

There are also many online renewable energy consultant courses to help get the education required to be a renewable energy consultant.

What education do you need to become a renewable energy consultant?

What degree do you need to be a renewable energy consultant?

The most common degree for renewable energy consultants is bachelor's degree, with 65% of renewable energy consultants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Master's, 21%
  • Associate, 6%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a renewable energy consultant?

You should major in business to become a renewable energy consultant. 27% of renewable energy consultants major in business. Other common majors for a renewable energy consultant include electrical engineering and finance.

Most common colleges for renewable energy consultants

Renewable energy consultants often get their degrees at Texas State University, Arizona State University, and University of Pittsburgh. Here are the most common colleges for renewable energy consultants in the US based on their resumes.
Renewable energy consultant common collegePercentages
Texas State University15.15%
Arizona State University9.09%
University of Pittsburgh9.09%
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs9.09%
University of Colorado at Boulder6.06%

Best majors for renewable energy consultants

RankMajorPercentages
1Business27.1%
2Electrical Engineering10.4%
3Finance6.3%
4Mechanical Engineering6.3%
5Economics5.2%

Best colleges for renewable energy consultants

The best colleges for renewable energy consultants are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A renewable energy consultant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for renewable energy consultants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become renewable energy consultants.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

10. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

20 best online courses for renewable energy consultants

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1. Renewable Power and Electricity Systems

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The energy revolution in underway. Renewable energy is growing at an astounding pace - notably in electricity. Wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems account for most new power plants built worldwide, and are essential to building a low-carbon and sustainable energy future. As a result, there are countless new opportunities in renewable electricity. This course provides a solid grounding in the basics of renewable electricity. We'll start with how electricity is measured, how...

2. Renewable Energy

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This specialization is for learners wanting a thorough understanding of renewable energy concepts, tools, and applications. This knowledge can be employed to advance in your current work, to move into the renewable energy field, and to promote sustainability at home and in your community. New technologies, new market structures, and new business models make renewable energy a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and exciting field. This specialization focuses on pragmatic and fact-based information,...

3. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

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4
(924)

Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...

4. Advanced Renewable Energy Financial Modeling

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4.6
(414)

Learn how to build an integrated project finance model for renewable energy investments from scratch...

5. Renewable Energy: Fundamentals and Job Opportunities

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This course prepares you to recognize the complexities and nuances of different renewable energy solutions, as well as relevant career opportunities (both technical occupations and roles not typically associated with clean energy). Learners are immersed in discussions about green energy technologies, the impact of sustainability on society, energy consumption in the United States and conservation. Topics include: tenets of green building design and construction, solar energy conversion through...

6. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

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This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...

7. The Complete 2022 PV Solar Energy PVsyst, Excel & AutoCAD

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4.1
(1,703)

Your solar Energy guide to design any Grid-tie & Off-grid Photovoltaic Solar Energy with software , layouts & manuals...

8. Complete 2023 PV Solar Energy PVSol Premium,Excel,PVsyst

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4.5
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Only online course with everything you need to learn about Solar Energy on grid + off grid using 4 methods from scratch...

9. Energy management for real estate. Methods and digital tools

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The figure of the Energy Manager (EM), introduced in the United States in the early 1970s, during the first oil crisis, brought to light the need to get more work out of less energy. In Italy, this figure was officially introduced by Law 308/82, but had its first strong impulse thanks to Law 10/91, aimed at implementing the National Energy Plan on the rational use of energy, energy saving and the development of renewable energy sources. More in detail, an Energy Manager is a person whose task...

10. Photovoltaic solar energy

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The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D...

11. Tesla Company Analysis: Strategy, Marketing, Financials

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Acquire the #1 Skill Needed For Investment banking, Private equity, and Consulting - Company analysis...

12. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance

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A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...

13. Project Finance Modeling for Renewable Energy

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4.7
(427)

Learn Financial Modeling for wind and solar projects...

14. Renewable Energy

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4.3
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Future Potential, Technologies, and Policies...

15. Solar Energy beginner to advanced.SolarPV System Design 2023

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2023 Learn solar energy, from the components to the design of a Solar PV System. Focused on both technical & commercial...

16. Fundamentals of Energy

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Energy & Low Carbon Sustainable Energy Systems - Beginner Masterclass...

17. Sales Analysis for Management Consultants

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A practical guide on how to improve sales and marketing of your customers during consulting projects like Mc Kinsey, BCG,...

18. SOLAR ENERGY Design Course(With SketchUp & PVSYST)-PV system

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PV system/Solar Energy deisgn Course. Components, Site survey, Design, SOFTWARES,Pricing ,Technical & finanical Reports...

19. SOLAR COURSE for Beginners of Solar Energy-

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A perfect course with industry examples, tips, thumb rules& calculations for simplified learning, CERTIFICATECourse 2022...

20. Consulting Business: How to Start a Consulting Business

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Consulting Business 90-Step Startup + 5-Phase Consulting Business Proposal Plan to Start Consulting Business Fast...

Top 10 most affordable universities for renewable energy consultants

The most affordable schools for renewable energy consultants are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for renewable energy consultants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for renewable energy consultants.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for renewable energy consultants

The hardest universities for renewable energy consultants to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for renewable energy consultants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for renewable energy consultants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

Admissions rate

18%

SAT average

1,502

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for renewable energy consultants

The easiest schools for renewable energy consultants to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, the university of texas permian basin, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a renewable energy consultant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for renewable energy consultants.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

7. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

8. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

9. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

10. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

Average renewable energy consultant salary by education level

According to our data, renewable energy consultants with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $121,503 annually. Renewable energy consultants with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $106,845.
Renewable energy consultant education levelRenewable energy consultant salary
Master's Degree$106,845
Bachelor's Degree$91,987
Doctorate Degree$121,503

Renewable energy consultant education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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