2020 - 2021
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:		Alternative Energy Systems Specialist
Specialization Tract:		Alternative Energy
Career Cluster:		Manufacturing

CCC	
CIP Number	0615050303	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	18 credit hours	
CTSO	SkillsUSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	17-3023 – Electronics and Electronic Engineering Technicians
47-2231 – Solar Photovoltaic Installers
47-4099 – Construction and Related Workers, All Others	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Engineering Technology AS degree program (1615000001) under the Alternative Energy specialization.  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the manufacturing career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the manufacturing career cluster. 

The purpose of this CCC is to prepare students to meet the industry-specific educational needs for technicians in the new and emerging alternative and renewable energy fields, including (but not limited to) occupational titles such as:  Electrical Engineering Technician, Industrial Engineering Technician, Solar Photovoltaic Installer and Solar Power Plant Technician, Solar Thermal Installer and Technician, Energy Auditor, and Smart Grid Technician.  This program also provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in occupations related to energy production and storage, manufacturing and construction.

The content includes but is not limited to electronics, electricity and energy concepts; alternative energy sources and systems; energy storage, distribution and conversion; operation and performance of an alternative energy system; and policies and business practices affecting alternative energy occupations.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of electronics and electicity.
02.0	Demonstrate an understanding of industrial safety, health, and environmental requirements.
03.0	Characterize alternative energy sources and technologies.
04.0	Characterize the operation and performance of solar energy systems.
05.0	Apply policy, regulation and good business practices for alternative energy systems.

2020 - 2021
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Alternative Energy Technology Specialist
CIP Number:	0615050303
Program Length:	18 credit hours
SOC Code(s):		17-3023; 47-2231; 47-4099

This certificate program is part of the Engineering Technology AS degree program (1615000001).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of electronics and electricity.--The student will be able to: 	
01.01	Use appropriate electrical circuit grounding techniques. 	
01.02	Solve circuit problems using appropriate units and notation.	
01.03	Operate appropriate test equipment.	
02.0	Demonstrate an understanding of industrial safety, health, and environmental requirements.--The student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify and select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).	
02.02	Follow appropriate safety procedures. 	
02.03	Follow applicable environmental laws and regulations.	
02.04	Identify and report unsafe conditions and practices. 	
02.05	Explain when a machine or a process should be stopped to investigate an unsafe condition.	
02.06	Demonstrate knowledge of regulatory agency fines and requirement for corrective actions.	
02.07	Use and evaluate information resources such as SDS (Safety Data Sheets).	
03.0	Characterize renewable energy sources and technologies.--The student will be able to:	
03.01	Describe alternative and renewable energy sources used for power production.	
03.02	Define basic energy terms.	
03.03	Discuss the feasibility of emerging energy resources.	
03.04	Describe the major sources, scale, and impacts of alternative and renewable energy.	
03.05	Draw and label a diagram of a solar electric renewable energy system.	
03.06	Distinguish between various renewable energy sources and energy potential.	
03.07	Describe the social and environmental impact of renewable energy technologies vs. traditional energy sources.	
03.08	Explain the difference between passive solar and active solar thermal systems.	
03.09	Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of various renewable energy sources.	
03.10	Compare site selection requirements for various renewable energy installations.	
03.11	Compute cost/benefit analysis and return on investment calculations for a project.	
03.12	Evaluate local, state, and federal renewable energy rebates and incentives.	
03.13	Explain the methods used to connect renewable energy systems to a home or building.	
04.0	Characterize the operation and performance of solar energy systems.--The student will be able to:	
04.01	Describe the operation of various solar energy systems.	
04.02	Design and choose a solar energy system for optimal production based on the sun’s position.	
04.03	Distinguish between an azimuth and tilt angle calculation.	
04.04	Review the methodology for using an azimuth and altitude calculation to determine max output from a collector or concentrator.	
04.05	Specify components of solar energy systems.	
04.06	Calculate the energy produced, efficiency, and power derived from an installed system.	
04.07	Demonstrate proper safety practices in solar energy system installations and operations.	
04.08	Demonstrate standard practices in system checkout, maintenance and troubleshooting a solar energy system.	
04.09	Determine appropriately sized components for a solar energy system.	
04.10	Describe benefits of renewable energy systems to the end customer through case studies.	
05.0	Apply policy, regulation and good business practices for renewable energy systems.--The student will be able to:	
05.01	Examine current US energy and natural resources policies and regulations.	
05.02	Compare and contrast US energy and natural resources policies and regulations to others around the world.	
05.03	Discuss the effects of financial, technical, and economic trends on the past, current, and future energy industry.	
05.04	Demonstrate best practices for minimizing energy utilization.	
05.05	Apply best practices based for energy production and resources use.	
05.06	Discuss how different climatic, geological, atmospheric, and human activities influence energy production and utilization.	
05.07	Identify conservation practices for natural resources used for energy production.	
05.08	Explain the environmental impacts of energy extraction, conservation, and storage systems.	
05.09	Discuss how the conversion to alternative energy affects various business sectors.	
05.10	Discuss the application of governmental regulations and policy for energy production and utilization.	
05.11	Compare and contrast local, state, and federal policy which positively and negatively effects the advancement of renewable energy investment and development.	
05.12	Explain structure of electrical power distribution system.	
05.13	Explain modernization steps being taken for improving the electrical power grid.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

SkillsUSA is the intercurricular career and technical student organization for providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills.  Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered.  

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:

http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml