A new Renewable Electricity certificate is starting in January at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Ashland campus. The certificate provides an individual with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, install and maintain solar (photovoltaic) and wind renewable electrical energy systems.

Renewable electricity refers to the generation of electric power by renewable means. Today most electric power is generated by burning non-renewable fossil fuels (primarily coal and oil). Most states have set goals of producing commercial energy from renewable sources such as photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems.

Ted May, Academic Dean at WITC, and Rick Fairbanks from Northland College, have been meeting monthly for more than a year as part of an Ashland-area collaboration of educators. This certificate is one of the outcomes from these meetings, and it is also being offered to Northland College students as a technical minor.

"Renewable energy and sustainability are now imbedded in the recent Strategic Plan brought forth by WITC," May said. "We are committed to both expanding programming in this arena, increasing the sustainability of our college operations, and expanding our investment in renewable energies. Collaborating with our Ashland neighbor a model of sustainability in their mission allows mutual benefits to each of our colleges."

"This program is ideal for Northland," Fairbanks said. "Our students come here for a liberal arts experience, but they also want to get their hands on real work in fields that will have an impact on environmental problems. More and more liberal arts colleges are looking to give this kind of practical 'bottom' to the education they provide. Northland is fortunate to have a partner like WITC that can make this happen for Northland students."

WITC's Renewable Electricity certificate is ideal for individuals who have experience working as an electrical contractor/electrician and desire training with renewable energy systems; have a background in environmental issues and desire to supplement or update their renewable energy skills; or would like to begin work installing or maintaining in the growing fields of wind or solar photovoltaic energy systems.

The first two courses in the certificate start in January. One is Alternative Energy Overview, which will be offered on-line, and the other, Renewable Electricity, will run one evening per week through the winter/spring semester. For more information or to register within WITC's Renewable Electricity certificate, contact Admissions Advisor Karen Hoglund at 715.682.4591, ext. 3195, or Ted May, at ext. 3252. The Introduction to PV Systems course will be taught the last two weeks of May 2010.

WITC serves the educational and career needs of more than 30,000 residents of northwestern Wisconsin each year. As one of four campuses in the district, WITC-Ashland offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, customized training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. WITC is a member of Wisconsin Technical College System. For more information, call 800.243.WITC or log onto witc.edu.

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