Clean Energy Management Degree Introduced

March 3, 2016

Hudson Valley Community College will offer a new Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) interdisciplinary degree in Clean Energy Management beginning this fall. The program can be completed through full- or part-time study during the day or evening, and nearly 50 percent of its coursework can be taken online.

Offered through the college's School of Engineering and Industrial Technologies, the 64-credit program is designed for students seeking a combined renewable energy and business background. Graduates will be prepared to meet increasing industry demands for a workforce that possesses a blend of technical skills and business management ability.

According to the Outlook for Renewable Energy, clean energy has now become a technology of choice for many Americans, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all new, power capacity installed in the country in 2013. Per Bloomberg New Energy Finance, private-sector investment in the U.S. clean energy sector surpassed $100 billion in 2012–2013, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. This growth is expected to continue, driven by increasing cost-competitiveness with conventional generation, technology advancements, and growing acceptance of clean and renewable technologies.

The only associate degree program of its kind in the area, Clean Energy Management can lead to immediate employment or transfer to four-year colleges and universities. In addition to basic electrical theory and an exploration of photovoltaic, geothermal, wind and fuel cell energies, the program focuses on the essential principles of finance, marketing and business development. The curriculum also provides technical training in PV installation, troubleshooting and maintenance.

More than 20 renewable energy technology companies and associations provided input into the development of coursework.

For more information, contact the School of Technology Academic Advisement Center at (518) 629-8003 or Admissions at (518) 629-7309; admissions@hvcc.edu or on campus in the Guenther Enrollment Services Center, Room 223.

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Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 80 associate degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Sciences; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and an Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and workforce training. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.