Energy Institute Courses

 To view the current schedule, visit the Self-Service Portal.

Click on the link below for the current certificate and degree program options:

http://www.salemcc.edu/sites/default/files/documents/SET_Career_Ladder.pdf 

SET 101 Energy, the Environment and Society 3:0:3

Provides an overview of the ways modern society utilizes and converts energy in its quest for technological and economic advancement. The course covers important topics such as energy and its impact on the global environment. An overview of the current unsustainable (coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear) as well as sustainable technologies (solar, wind, wave, biomass, geothermal, tidal andhydropower) is provided. In addition, students are made aware of the important role energy conversion and utilization by industrialized and industrializing countries presently plays in global climate change. The course forms the foundation for students’ knowledge of energy and its relationship to economic prosperity.
Prerequisites: MAT 093 and ENG 098, if necessary
Offered: Fall

SET 150 Solar Photovoltaic Electric Systems 4:2:5

Is the first course in the study of solar photovoltaic electric systems. This course provides students planning to enter the solar field with the knowledge necessary to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners’ (NABCEP) Photovoltaic (PV) Entry-Level Exam. Students learn and demonstrate their knowledge of PV safety, PV electricity basics, solar energy fundamentals, PV module fundamentals, BOS system components, PV system sizing principles, PV system electrical design, PV system mechanical design and performance analysis, maintenance and troubleshooting. Successful course completion will help demonstrate achievement of basic knowledge, comprehension and application of key terms and concepts of photovoltaic (solar electric) system operations.
Offered: Varies

SET 151 Certified Photovoltaic Installer 2:2:3

Covers the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners’ (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Installer Job-Task Analysis. The course also meets the education requirements of the NABCEP Installer certification. The ideal candidate for certification is the person responsible for the system installation, such as contractor, foreman, supervisor or journeyman.
Prerequisites: SET 150 and a passing score on the NABCEP Photovoltaic entry-level exam. To become certified and maintain certification, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age, meet prerequisites of related experience and/or education, complete an application form documenting fulfillment of all requirements, sign and agree to uphold a code of ethics, pay an application and exam fee, pass a written exam, and complete continuing education and installation requirements within the recertification time frame. Visit www.NABCEP.org for more details on the Photovoltaic Installer certification process.
Offered:Varies

SET 160 Building Energy Audit Technology (BPI Building Analyst) 4:2:5

Provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Building Performance Institute’s (BPI) Building Analyst written and field exams. Successfully passing these exams provides students with certification as a BPI Building Analyst Professional. A Building Analyst conducts energy audits and prepares energy audit reports for homeowners and small businesses, identifying any safety hazards found in the audit and recommending energy conservation measures. An energy audit is an evaluation of a home’s existing energy profile and the potential to improve the home’s energy performance and considers the policies and procedures of applicable residential energy programs.
Offered: Varies

SET 161 Building Envelope Technology (BPI Certification) 2:2:3

Provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the Building Performance Institute’s (BPI) Envelope Professional written and field exams. Successfully passing these exams provides students with certification as a BPI Envelope Professional. An Envelope Professional conducts energy audits and implements the energy conservation measures that result from the various whole-house testing procedures with the blower door and CAZ tests. The Envelope Professional works on single-family homes and small businesses, prescribing improvements to help tighten the building envelope (shell), stop uncontrolled air leakage and optimize comfort, durability and HVAC performance.
Prerequisite: SET 160
Offered: Varies

SET 200 Sustainable Energy Internship 1:0:3

Provides students the opportunity to experience the energy field. Building on classroom knowledge, students further develop their practical skills in a real-world context. Students meet for a one-hour seminar each week and must complete at least 90 work hours at their assigned internship placement.
Prerequisites: Completion of SET 101 with a B or higher, completion of a minimum of 24 credits toward the SET AAS degree, identification of a suitable placement, and written permission from the Dean of Academic Affairs
Offered: Varies

SET 210 Wind Energy Technology 2:2:3

Provides an overview of how wind energy technologies convert the natural resource of wind into useful electricity. The course introduces the students to the details of various types of commercial wind technology available in the market place today as well as acquaints them with the fundamental theory and physics behind wind energy generation. The course provides a foundation in how to perform a site assessment, how to select favorable locations, how to estimate turbine performance based upon wind resources, how to perform economic analysis of systems, how vertical and horizontal axis machines work and what are the major components of wind turbine systems. In addition, the course provides a historical perspective on the development of wind power. Students perform economic calculations on the payback period of various wind power systems.
Prerequisite: SET 101
Corequisite: NET 133
Offered: Spring

SET 220 Photovoltaic Solar Technology 3:4:5

Provides an overview of how photovoltaic electric energy technologies convert the natural resource of the sun into useful electricity. The course introduces students to the details of various types of commercial photovoltaic technology and balance of system components available in the marketplace today as well as acquaints them with the fundamental theory and physics behind photovoltaic electricity generation. The course provides a foundation in how to perform a site assessment, how to select favorable locations, how to estimate a photovoltaic (PV) system’s expected performance based upon solar resources at any place on Earth, how to perform economic analysis of PV systems, how modules and inverters work and what are the major components required for interconnecting a PV system to the grid. In addition, the course provides a historical perspective on the development of PV. Students are introduced to the fundamental economics of how PV is now affordable based upon investment tax credits, renewable energy certificates and renewable portfolio standards now in place in more than half of the United States. Labs include the construction of multiple small-scale PV systems for interconnection to the grid and maintenance experiences.
Prerequisite: SET 101
Offered: Fall

SET 225 Advanced Solar Thermal Installer 2:2:3

Covers the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners’ (NABCEP) Solar Thermal Installer Job-Task Analysis. The course also meets the education requirements of the NABCEP Installer certification. The ideal candidate for certification is the person responsible for the system installations of solar water and pool heating systems on buildings.
Prerequisites: SET 150 and passing score on the NABCEP Photovoltaic entry-level exam. Students must possess experience and educational requirements and must meet with the instructor before registering. Visit www.NABCEP.org for more details on the Solar Thermal Installer certification process.
Offered: Varies

SET 230 Biofuels Technology 3:4:5 NO LONGER OFFERED

Explores the various methods of producing biodiesel including the sources of feedstock. The course introduces the technologies used in production and the chemistry behind the reactions. Students will study the construction and engineering of plant facilities and learn the operation and maintenance associated with biodiesel production.
Prerequisite: SET 101
Offered: Spring

SET 240 Gasification Technology 3:4:5 NO LONGER OFFERED

Provides information on the process of gasification and its impacts on the carbon cycle. Students will study the Fischer-Tropsch manipulation, fractionation and updraft vs. downdraft manipulation. The course covers the various technologies associated with the production of fuel from gasification and the maintenance and operation of these technologies. Emphasis is placed on the impact of gasification on the carbon cycle.
Prerequisite: SET 101
Offered: Spring