Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Program Profile – Solar Energy Technology

The Solar Energy Technology program is house in the Great Lakes Energy Education Center on the NWTC Green Bay campus.  Students have designed and installed nearly 200 KW of solar on and around this 30,000 sq. ft. facility.  It is approaching NET ZERO status.  A true living laboratory for the latest in technology, including energy storage.

Our success is based on committed, enthusiastic, and engaged students learning through hands on experiences with a wide variety of solar technology.  Our success stems from extensive industry experience of the dedicated instructors.

We work closely with a wide variety of solar industry professionals and companies.  Our advisory committee members range from solar installers, consultants, equipment distributors and manufacturers.  Many students work part time in the industry while in school.

Internships and apprenticeships are not a formal part of the program, but several students have independently secured both internships and apprenticeships in the solar, or related industries.

Students gain meaningful employment in installation, system design, technical sales and other related positions in the ever increasing solar energy industry.

Students can expand their associates degree experience by continuing on to related 4 year degrees through the UW system and or electrical apprenticeship programs.  Students are eligible to sit for the NABCEP Associates Certificate after completion of the Intro to Solar course.

A Wisconsin Energy Innovation Grant allows NWTC to install energy storage which will capture excess solar energy for later use.  It will reduce the amount of energy sold back to the grid, allowing more of the energy produced by the solar to be used on site, when the sun isn’t shinning.