Description
The Solar Thermal Certificate is designed for the student who is seeking an entry level position as a Solar Thermal Installer and Service Technician, and those currently employed in the field of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning or related areas. The program provides the student with essential information and training to install and work with solar thermal systems. The coursework includes fundamentals of collecting and transferring solar heat, the National Electric, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Building Code, and teaches the principles of a solar thermal system. This entry level certificate will prepare students to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Solar Thermal Entry Level Certification Exam. Students interested in this program may also be interested in the Air Conditioning Technology: Heating and Ventilation program and the Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning program.

Program Learning Outcomes
1) Install solar thermal heating systems to NABCEP standards.
2) Maintain solar thermal heating systems to NABCEP standards.
3) Perform testing and adjustment of solar thermal systems to NABCEP standards.
4) Diagnose common malfunctions for solar thermal equipment to NABCEP standards.
5) Perform corrective repairs for solar thermal equipment to NABCEP standards.
6) Perform testing and adjustment of HVAC/R equipment for proper operation to manufacturer OEM standards.
7) Perform service and maintenance on HVAC/R equipment to manufacturer OEM standards.
8) Diagnose common malfunctions for HVAC/R equipment to manufacturer OEM standards.
9) Perform corrective repairs for HVAC/R equipment to manufacturer OEM standards.
10) Design and size HVAC/R systems to Manual J standards.
11) Design and size solar thermal heating systems to NABCEP standards.
12) Select HVAC/R and solar thermal heating systems for appropriate applications.
13) Outline strategies to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption of HVAC/R equipment.
14) Design and size solar thermal heating systems to NABCEP standards.
15) Install new HVAC/R equipment to manufacturer OEM standards.
16) Interpret electrical control wiring diagrams for HVAC/R control systems.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: http://www.onetonline.org

Requirements for Program Entrance
High School graduate or high school equivalency diploma. Elementary Algebra with Geometry (or MTH 098 at MCC).

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
FIRST SEMESTER: 19 Credit Hours
HVA 101 Basic Refrigeration Theory	3
HVA 103 Heating Systems	3
HVA 105 Electric and Motor Controls	3
HVA 202 Boiler Systems	3
MTH 135 Introduction to Technical Mathematics	4
STT 101 Introduction to Solar Thermal Technology	3
Total	19
SECOND SEMESTER: 16 Credit Hours
HVA 102 Air Conditioning Theory	3
HVA 104 Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps	3
PHY 100 Preparatory Physics	4
STT 102 Solar Thermal Installation Practices	3
STT 201 Troubleshooting and Preventative Maintenance for Solar Thermal Systems	3
Total	16
TOTAL CREDITS	35