Energy Systems Technology
23 courses · College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
ESYS 001 Energy Generation & Distribution Industry
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54
- Advisory
- ESYS 004 or MATH 060 and RDG 061 .
An overview of our current power generation infrastructure, methods of power generation and potential employment opportunities will be examined in this course. These areas will be supported by the fundamentals of the power industry including; safety practices, power industry economics and the future of the power industry. An introduction to electrical and construction calculation will be applied to electricity. Hand tools, power tools, construction drawings, material handling and basic rigging will form the basis of knowledge for entering into the power industry.
ESYS 002 Electricity & Electrical Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- Advisory
- RDG 061 and MATH 060.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides a solid foundation of the theory behind electricity, electrical circuits, circuit components, electrical test equipment and safe practices when working with electricity. A lab uniform is required for this course.
ESYS 003 Energy Systems Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- ESYS 004 or concurrent enrollment.
- Advisory
- RDG 061.
This course will explore various methods of power generation with an emphasis on renewable energy technologies. Students will take a hands on approach in the examination of the rankin cycle, steam generation, gas turbine operation, biofuel production, geoexchange systems, solar power production, wind power production and hydro-power production. Students will engage in discussion regarding cost effectiveness, viability and practicality of each of these technologies. A lab uniform is required for this course.
ESYS 004 Industrial Calculations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 45, Lab Hours: 27
This contextualized math course provides Career and Technical Education (CTE) specific applications of basic math skills. It is intended for CTE students seeking a certificate. Topics include adding, subracting, multiplying, and dividing rational numbers, percentages, ratios and proportions measurement,and career applications.
ESYS 005 Zero Net Energy Building Science
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 72
- Advisory
- ESYS 004 and RDG 061 .
Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Building Science includes an overview of many progressive measures that improve the energy performance of buildings. Studies focus on architectural design of building, construction methodology, green HVAC systems, renewable energy systems and the terminology used in the ZNE Industry. A survey of projects, policies and programs driving ZNE performance in residential and non-residential buildings will be studied.
ESYS 006 Fundamentals of Building Commissioning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 45, Lab Hours: 27
- Prerequisite
- ACR 090 or concurrent enrollment.
- Advisory
- ESYS 004, ACR 075, & ARCH 011.
Building Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying that a building's systems operate as intended. Commissioning Technicians (CxT) and Commissioning Agents (CxA) work in a team environment, coordinating directly with architects, engineers, subcontractors, and the building owner to oversee, examine, and verify that the building systems are designed, installed, and tested according to the project's design specifications. This introductory course focuses on how the building commissioning process is applied to new and existing buildings. Students will learn the fundamentals of the commissioning process through each step of a construction project - from predesign to occupancy and operations.
ESYS 011 Residential Solar Surveying and Planning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54
This course is for students engaged or interested in a solar-related field who need to expand their knowledge and skills of solar function and design of solar photovoltaics (PV). The coordination between trades, design limitations, and workflow processes will be explained. The fundamental principles and functions of the photovoltaic industry will be introduced. Students will be prepared to work as site planning technicians or solar sales advisers.
ESYS 011L Solar Site Planning Project Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 54
- Advisory
- ESYS 011.
This course provides training in applying the principles and techniques of solar surveying and planning to residential building projects. This project-based workshop supports lectures from ESYS 011 by providing students a hands-on approach surveying multiple buildings and making energy recommendations based on current California's energy code.
ESYS 012 Residential Solar Installation
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54, Lab Hours: 54
This entry-level course is for students interested in installing and maintaining photovoltaic (PV) systems and obtain or furthering a career in the solar industry. The installation principles, techniques, and functions of the PV systems will be presented along with installation and maintenance of all necessary components. Discussion and instruction will also serve current solar installers wanting to earn an industry-recognized credential. Installation practices will be aligned to help students prepare for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Per NABCEP website, "The NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV Installation Professionals with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition." Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners.
ESYS 021 Residential Energy Modeling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- BIT 024.
- Advisory
- ACR 075, ARCH 011, ESYS 004, & ESYS 005.
This course is for students interested in a career in the building energy consulting industry. Energy consultants select the energy systems, documents, and verify energy code is being met. Energy consultants work in a team environment, coordinating directly with architects, engineers, subcontractors, and the building owners to oversee, and examine multiple pathways to achieve the energy goals set by the owners. The student will model the building with alternative wall systems, roofs, window, and energy systems to meet the owner?s energy goals. The student will receive comprehensive training in energy analysis software programs that may be used to document compliance with CA Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6), ASHRAE 90.1 Standards, HERS energy rating systems as well as residential and nonresidential Green Building rating systems, such as GreenPoint Rated and LEED.
ESYS 022 Residential Energy Modeling Design Project
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 18, Lab Hours: 54
- Prerequisite
- ESYS 021.
This course provides training in applying the principle techniques of energy modeling software to residential buildings. Students with a major or interest in architecture, drafting, landscape design, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or environmental engineering will select specialized projects, with the approval of their professor, to model energy usage using Californian Energy Commission approved software.
ESYS 033 Residential House Electrical Wiring
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- Advisory
- ESYS 002 & ESYS 004.
This course will focus on safely wiring a single-family dwelling as per the National Electrical Code using laboratory mock-up walls: Lighting and appliance branch circuits, special purpose outlets, service-entrance calculations, and grounding; project estimating and pricing.
ESYS 034 Lighting Efficiency Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 54
- Advisory
- ESYS 005.
This course will review the current technology in energy efficient lighting controls and systems; the latest advances in lamp, ballast, luminaire and control technologies, as well as recent developments in energy legislation.
ESYS 035 Advanced Lighting Controls
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 36, Lab Hours: 54
- Advisory
- ESYS 002 & ESYS 005.
This course will focus on advanced lighting controls with a specific application in the lighting industry and efficiency of: automatic controls, switches and dimmers, sensors and LED lighting sources, outdoor lighting, daylighting and energy efficiency for residential and commercial buildings, and use of data to apply the Title 24 requirements, for Acceptance Test Technician qualification. The certificates will provide a comprehension knowledge base for students pursuing the Acceptance Lighting Controls credential.
ESYS 095A Energy Systems Technology Work Experience
- Units
- 1-5
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 270
- Transfers to
- CSU
This work experience course of supervised employment provides students the opportunity to connect academics to applied experiential learning in the workplace. It assists students in developing transferable employability skills, career awareness, learning industry culture, competencies and norms, and developing professional networks that support career mobility. To enroll, students must have a job or internship placement in a part-time or full-time capacity. Credit may be accrued at the rate of one to five (1-5) units per semester based on the student's ability to meet the hours required per unit enrolled. Students must work 54 hours per unit earned. This Work Experience course is available to students whose job or internship placement is directly related to Energy Systems Technology.
ESYS 311A Module 1 Residential Solar Surveying & Planning
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 18
This course is Module 1 of 3 for students engaged in a solar related field that have a need for knowledge and skills of solar function and design of solar photovoltaics. The coordination between trades, design limitations, and workflow processes will be explained. The fundamental principles and functions of the photovoltaic industry will be introduced. Students will be prepared to work as site planning technicians or solar sales advisors.
ESYS 311B Module 2 Residential Solar Surveying & Planning
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 18
- Prerequisite
- ESYS 311A.
This course is Module 2 of 3 for students engaged in a solar related field that have a need for knowledge and skills of solar function and design of solar photovoltaics. The coordination between trades, design limitations, and workflow processes will be explained. The fundamental principles and functions of the photovoltaic industry will be introduced. Students will be prepared to work as site planning technicians or solar sales advisors.
ESYS 311C Module 3 Residential Solar Surveying & Planning
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 18
- Prerequisite
- ESYS 311B.
This course is Module 3 of 3 for students engaged in a solar related field that have a need for knowledge and skills of solar function and design of solar photovoltaics. The coordination between trades, design limitations, and workflow processes will be explained. The fundamental principles and functions of the photovoltaic industry will be introduced. Students will be prepared to work as site planning technicians or solar sales advisors.
ESYS 311D Solar Site Planning Project
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 18
- Advisory
- ESYS 311C & ESYS 311E.
This course provides training in applying the principles and techniques of solar surveying and planning to residential building projects. This project-based workshop supports lectures from ESYS 311 A, B, C by providing students a hands-on approach surveying multiple buildings and making energy recommendations based on current California's energy code.
ESYS 311E Introduction to Energy Storage
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 18
- Advisory
- ESYS 311C.
This course provides a broad overview of electric energy storage technologies, benefits, economics, California policies and a discussion of energy storage in microgrid systems. This course addresses students considering a career in the advanced energy industry or want to know how energy storage fits into energy and solar industry. Students will be prepared to work as site planning technicians or solar sales advisors.
ESYS 312A Module 1 Residential Solar Installation
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 36
- Advisory
- ESYS 311C.
This entry level course is Module 1 of 3 for students interested in installing and maintaining photovoltaics systems and obtain a career in the solar industry. The installation principles, technics and functions of the photovoltaic will be presented along with installation and maintenance of all necessary components for a photovoltaic system. Discussion and instructions will also serve current solar installers wanting to earn industry recognized credential. Installation practices are aligned to help students prepare for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV Installation Professionals with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners.
ESYS 312B Module 2 Residential Solar Installation Management
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 36
- Prerequisite
- ESYS 312A.
This entry level course is Module 2 of 3 for students interested in installing and maintaining photovoltaics systems and obtain a career in the solar industry. The installation principles, technics and functions of the photovoltaic will be presented along with installation and maintenance of all necessary components for a photovoltaic system. Discussion and instructions will also serve current solar installers wanting to earn industry recognized credential. Installation practices are aligned to help students prepare for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV Installation Professionals with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners.
ESYS 312C Module 3 Residential Solar Installation Management
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- Noncredit Hours: 36
- Prerequisite
- ESYS 312B.
This entry level course is Module 3 of 3 for students interested in installing and maintaining photovoltaics systems and obtain a career in the solar industry. The installation principles, technics and functions of the photovoltaic will be presented along with installation and maintenance of all necessary components for a photovoltaic system. Discussion and instructions will also serve current solar installers wanting to earn industry recognized credential. Installation practices are aligned to help students prepare for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV Installation Professionals with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners.