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Renewable energy technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a renewable energy technician. Renewable energy technicians usually study electrical engineering technology, electrical engineering, or business. 43% of renewable energy technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 115 real renewable energy technician resumes to see exactly what renewable energy technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for renewable energy technicians are the Bismarck State College and the Bismarck State College.

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

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

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

The most common degree for renewable energy technicians is bachelor's degree, with 43% of renewable energy technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 27% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 43%
  • Associate, 27%
  • Master's, 9%
  • Diploma, 9%
  • Other Degrees, 12%

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

You should major in electrical engineering technology to become a renewable energy technician. 18% of renewable energy technicians major in electrical engineering technology. Other common majors for a renewable energy technician include electrical engineering and business.

Most common colleges for renewable energy technicians

Renewable energy technicians often get their degrees at Bismarck State College, Western Illinois University, and Purdue University. Here are the most common colleges for renewable energy technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Renewable energy technician common collegePercentages
Bismarck State College9.52%
Western Illinois University4.76%
Purdue University4.76%
Stanford University4.76%
University of North Texas4.76%

Best majors for renewable energy technicians

Best colleges for renewable energy technicians

The best colleges for renewable energy technicians are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.

A renewable energy technician 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 technicians. 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 technicians.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,092

Enrollment

3,583

3. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

4. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

5. Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,711

Enrollment

5,504

6. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Enrollment

1,350

7. Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$46,950

Enrollment

9,407

20 best online courses for renewable energy technicians

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

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4
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PV system/Solar Energy deisgn Course. Components, Site survey, Design, SOFTWARES,Pricing ,Technical & finanical Reports...

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

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4.5
(304)

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

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. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

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4
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Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...

8. OFF-GRID Solar Energy Systems: Design and Operation - 2023

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4.6
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[HIGHEST RATED] Taught by an Energy Engineer - Online Certificate - The Latest Technologies - Design Examples & Diagrams...

9. 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...

10. Advanced Renewable Energy Financial Modeling

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4.6
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Learn how to build an integrated project finance model for renewable energy investments from scratch...

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

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4.5
(477)

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

12. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

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4.6
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Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

13. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2

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4.7
(718)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

14. Renewable Energy

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4.3
(1,485)

Future Potential, Technologies, and Policies...

15. Fundamentals of Energy

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4.3
(275)

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

16. Learn BMS & Level Up Your Career- Building management system

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4.4
(1,088)

Learn Building Energy Management System ( BMS ) from Zero with many interesting practical videos in English Language...

17. ISO 50001:2018. Energy management system

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4.6
(1,192)

Learn how to implement an energy management system according to ISO 50001...

18. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

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4.6
(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

19. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero

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4.5
(2,110)

The Most Comprehensive and Detailed Course on Designing Off-grid, On-grid, and Solar Water Pumping Systems for Beginners...

20. Systems Innovation

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4.5
(1,720)

Learn systems innovation - the new systems-based approach to enabling transformative change within complex organizations...

Top 10 most affordable universities for renewable energy technicians

The most affordable schools for renewable energy technicians are Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon, inter american university of puerto rico guayama, and inter american university of puerto rico san german.

If the best universities for renewable energy technicians 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 technicians.

1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Guayama

Guayama, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,893

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

4. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

5. New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,120

Cost of attendance

13,997

6. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Cost of attendance

23,713

7. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,326

Cost of attendance

17,330

8. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,874

Cost of attendance

26,736

9. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,389

Cost of attendance

22,302

10. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

In-state tuition

$7,412

Cost of attendance

19,400

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for renewable energy technicians

The hardest universities for renewable energy technicians to get into are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.

Some great schools for renewable energy technicians 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 technicians 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. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

2. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

4. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,214

5. Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,366

6. Creighton University

Omaha, NE • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,276

7. Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

33%

SAT average

1,353

8. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

61%

SAT average

1,227

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,269

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,336

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

The easiest schools for renewable energy technicians to get into are Saint Joseph's University, grand valley state university, and suny college of technology at canton.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a renewable energy technician 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 technicians.

1. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,214

2. Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,158

3. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

997

4. Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, MA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,078

5. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

6. Kent State University

Kent, OH • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

7. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

8. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

9. Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg

Middletown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,177

10. Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,162

Average renewable energy technician salary by education level

Renewable energy technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $56,374 annually. With a Associate degree, renewable energy technicians earn a median annual income of $55,887 compared to $50,810 for renewable energy technicians with an High School Diploma degree.
Renewable energy technician education levelRenewable energy technician salary
High School Diploma or Less$50,810
Bachelor's Degree$56,374
Some College/ Associate Degree$55,887

Renewable energy technician 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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