When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Renewable Energy: Fundamentals and Job Opportunities

4 days left! Save on skills that make you shine with 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus. Save now

Renewable Energy: Fundamentals and Job Opportunities

Instructors: Marjaneh Issapour

17,652 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

231 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

231 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Develop foundational understanding of clean energy market segments (sustainability, green building, solar, wind, and nanotechnology)
Explain the fundamental principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability
Identify renewable energy career opportunities and corresponding educational pathways

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

16 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 8 modules in this course

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 photovoltaic cells, wind turbine site selection and design, and nanotechnology applications in clean energy. It references educational opportunities from the State University of New York (SUNY) system that correlate with each clean energy market segment.

The course is suitable for anyone interested in entering the renewable energy field, whether fresh to the workforce or switching industries. Material encompasses online lectures, videos, demos, readings and discussions. Learners will create a career roadmap, whereby they define a job that interests them, conduct a gap assessment to determine additional education/training/skills they need, and document a pathway to their ideal renewable energy career.

Module details

What's included

3 readings

This module provides a foundation for the course, covering energy consumption and conservation, the importance of renewable energy, and pathways to careers in renewable energy.

What's included

11 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 62 minutes

Intro to Clean Energy 1014 minutes
Conservation and Sustainability5 minutes
Forms of Renewable Energy1 minute
The Importance of Renewable Energy5 minutes
Energy Basics10 minutes
Energy Consumption and Conservation9 minutes
Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources10 minutes
Pathways to Renewable Energy Careers4 minutes
Program Spotlight: Renewable Energy Education and Training at SUNY Farmingdale4 minutes
Program Spotlight: Columbia Technology Ventures4 minutes
Optional: Renewable Energy Career Advice from Timothy Hoffman6 minutes

5 readingsTotal 130 minutes

International Renewable Energy Career Exploration Resources30 minutes
The Department of Energy Explains Renewable Energy 10 minutes
Renewable Energy Fundamentals Resources50 minutes
EDF and the UN Define Renewable Energy 10 minutes
Pathways to Renewable Energy Careers Resources30 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Career Exploration Activity: O*Net15 minutes
Clean Energy 101 Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

What are your goals?10 minutes

Learners will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of sustainability, why sustainability matters, and career opportunities in the field.

What's included

7 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 18 minutes

Introduction to Sustainability3 minutes
Sustainability Overview3 minutes
Environment2 minutes
Economics3 minutes
Equity3 minutes
Measuring Sustainability3 minutes
Pathways to Careers in Sustainability1 minute

2 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Federal and State Climate Action Plan 10 minutes
Sustainability Resources60 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Career Exploration Activity: SMART Goals10 minutes
Sustainability Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Sustainability Principles 10 minutes

Learners will develop an understanding of the value of green buildings, fundamental green building principles, and common rating systems.

What's included

5 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 21 minutes

Introduction to Green Building5 minutes
The Societal Need for Green Buildings2 minutes
History and Purpose of Green Buildings4 minutes
Green Building Rating Systems5 minutes
Green Building Careers4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 140 minutes

Total Cost of Ownership10 minutes
History and Purpose of Green Buildings Resources50 minutes
Green Building Rating System Resources50 minutes
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Discusses Green Buildings10 minutes
Green Building Career Resources20 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Career Exploration Activity: Map a Career Utilizing U.S. Department of Energy Resources10 minutes
Green Building Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Green Building Career Options- What interests you?10 minutes

Learners will consider the benefits and limitations of solar energy, and gain an understanding of solar energy careers and educational opportunities.

What's included

15 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

15 videosTotal 85 minutes

Introduction to Solar Energy5 minutes
Solar Industry History6 minutes
The Value of Solar8 minutes
How PV Works2 minutes
Solar Electric System Anatomy2 minutes
Solar Radiation5 minutes
Orienting to the Sun5 minutes
Photovoltaic Cells and PN Junctions7 minutes
Photovoltaics6 minutes
PV Systems6 minutes
Solar Energy Careers3 minutes
Spotlight on SUNY: Pathways to Solar Energy Careers6 minutes
Solar Energy Career Considerations: Gay Canough, Installation Company Owner12 minutes
Solar Energy Career Considerations: Dylan Pulaski, Installer5 minutes
Solar Energy Career Considerations: John Easoz, Consultant8 minutes

4 readingsTotal 110 minutes

Monocrystalline Vs. Polycrystalline solar panels: A Clear and Simple Comparison10 minutes
Solar Energy Resources40 minutes
The Department of Energy Shares the Basics of Photovoltaic Cells 10 minutes
Technical Lesson Notes - Formulas and Calculations for Optional Technical Quiz50 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Optional Technical Quiz30 minutes
Solar Energy Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Solar Energy10 minutes

Learners will review the history of wind energy, consider wind as a fluid, explore turbine design and siting, and gain an understanding of wind power careers and educational pathways.

What's included

11 videos6 readings6 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 80 minutes

Offshore Wind - Program Overview 10 minutes
History of Wind Power4 minutes
Introduction to Offshore Wind 7 minutes
Wind as a Fluid5 minutes
Reviewing Major Components of Nacelle Trainer6 minutes
Turbine Design7 minutes
Hands on Demonstration - Mechanical Drives Systems Trainer9 minutes
Siting Wind Turbines7 minutes
The Offshore Wind Supply Chain 4 minutes
O&M and Training in Offshore Wind 7 minutes
Wind Energy Careers: Expert Interview with Jessica Fischer 15 minutes

6 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Wind Energy Resources50 minutes
Turbine Design Resources10 minutes
U.S. Offshore Wind Project Locations10 minutes
Supply Chain Resources10 minutes
O&M and Training Resources10 minutes
Resources to Support Careers in the Wind Industry 10 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 160 minutes

Wind Power Fundamentals Optional Quiz30 minutes
Turbine Design and Siting Optional Quiz30 minutes
Offshore Wind Supply Chain and O&M Optional Quiz30 minutes
Career Exploration Activity: U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration10 minutes
Wind Energy Summative Graded Quiz30 minutes
Wind Energy Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Wind Energy Pros and Cons10 minutes

Learners will be introduced to nanotechnology and its applications in renewable energy. Careers and educational pathways will also be explored.

What's included

6 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 40 minutes

What is Nanotechnology?8 minutes
Working in Nanotech6 minutes
Nanotechnology for Solar Energy Systems3 minutes
Solar Cell Manufacturing11 minutes
Nanotechnology Education in New York State1 minute
Program Spotlight: Nanotechnology at SUNY Erie Community College9 minutes

3 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Nanotech Resources30 minutes
Photovoltaic Cells Generating Electricity 10 minutes
Nanotech for Solar Energy 30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Nanotech Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Nanotech Applications 10 minutes

Using the resources provided throughout the course, you will hone in on a renewable energy career of interest. By assessing your current background and reviewing the requirements for the desired position, you will conduct a gap analysis and be able to describe the education and training needed to enter your ideal renewable energy career. This culminating project leaves learners with a roadmap to a renewable energy career.