Alternative Energy
12 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026
AET 120 Introduction to Alternative Energy Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory-level course provides students with a working knowledge of present-day energy systems, including in-depth analysis of the design and installation of alternative energy systems. Topics will include solar electrical systems, wind electrical systems, solar water heating systems, wind mechanical systems, small hydro-electrical systems, geothermal energy, fuel cells, biomass, energy storage, and microgrids. Students will develop skills to construct an alternative energy system. This course is intended for students who are interested in a career in the alternative energy industry.
AET 121 Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this introductory course, students examine and implement the design and installation of solar photovoltaic power systems, including the installation of a working solar photovoltaic power system. Students learn how to perform solar site evaluations, electrical load calculations, solar system size calculations, and installation techniques for grid-tie and off-the-grid photovoltaic systems. The course is designed to prepare students for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) entry-level exam, and is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the solar photovoltaic energy industry.
AET 122 Advanced Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- AET 121 or ET 121
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is the second course in the photovoltaic series in which students further examine and implement the design and installation of solar photovoltaic power systems. Students learn how to interpret the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifications concerning photovoltaic installations. Topics include code-compliant wiring of modules, inverters, charge controllers, batteries, grounding techniques, and related topics. Additional topics include the design and installation of large commercial photovoltaic systems. This course is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the solar photovoltaic energy industry.
AET 123 Wind Energy Systems Design and Installation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this introductory course students examine and implement the design and installation of wind power systems, including the installation of a working wind generation power system. Students learn how to perform wind site evaluations, electrical load calculations, wind system size calculations, hydraulics fundamentals, basic aerodynamics, and installation techniques for wind power generation systems; in designing and installing wind power generation systems, students obtain skills for employment. This course is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the wind turbine power generation industry.
AET 124 Advanced Wind Energy Systems Design and Installation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- AET 123 or ET 123
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is the second course in the wind energy series in which students further examine and implement the design and installation of wind power systems. Students learn how to interpret the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifications concerning wind power installations. Topics include code-compliant wiring of modules, inverters, charge controllers, grounding techniques, and related topics. Additional topics include wind site evaluations, electrical load calculations, wind system size calculations, hydraulic fundamentals, basic aerodynamics, and installation techniques for large wind power generation systems. This course is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the wind turbine power generation industry.
AET 125 Energy Storage Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, be able to read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides an introductory overview of energy storage systems. Students will obtain a working knowledge of electric/hybrid vehicles, fast battery charging, smart grids, and microgrids. Renewable energy (solar and wind), peak shaving, and reduction of energy consumption will also be discussed. Students will design and build a renewable energy system with an energy storage solution. This course is intended for students considering a career in the renewable energy industry.
AET 126 Solar PV Technical Sales
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, be able to read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills of solar photovoltaic (PV) design and sales techniques. The course covers basic solar fundamentals, site evaluation, shade analysis, consumer electric rates, benefits of PV, return on investment, system sizing and electrical and mechanical design considerations. This course will provide students with the design and sales skills needed to become solar professionals, as well as prepare them for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Professional Exam.
AET 181 Home Energy Management and Auditing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide students working in or seeking employment in the green energy field, with an overview of home energy management and auditing. Specifically, the course assists students in preparing a comprehensive home energy audit and energy management program. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: appliances, insulation, designing/remodeling, electricity, landscaping, lighting, space heating and cooling, water heating, doors/windows/skylights, and home energy audits.
AET 182 Industrial Energy Management and Auditing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide students working in or seeking employment in the green energy field, with an overview of industrial energy management and auditing. Specifically, this course assists students in preparing a comprehensive energy audit and energy management program. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: types of energy audits, energy management and cost, benchmarking, energy performance, energy use requirements, maximizing system efficiencies, optimizing energy input requirements, fuel and energy substitution, and energy audit instruments.
AET 183 Energy Management Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, be able to read college-level texts, and have a knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
The course focuses on the fundamentals of energy and the energy management systems in residential and commercial buildings. Students will learn procedures and tools used for efficient and effective use of energy to minimize costs and reduce future energy demand. This course is intended for students who are currently active as energy managers or energy professionals and for those just entering the industry.
AET 280 Green Building Design Principles
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide students working in or seeking employment in the green building field, with an overview of the green building industry and its components. Specifically, this course assists students in preparing for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) examination, which is the most recognized professional accreditation for green building in the nation. Emphasis is placed on the six categories of design that green buildings must address for LEED certification: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Each of these categories are studied, with a focus on the significance of each particular credit.
AET 299 Directed Study in Alternative Energy Technology
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an Independent Study/Directed Study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average or a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students are expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress is evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies are the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title 5 regulations, with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, 6 hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress throughout the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of 3 units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of 9 units college wide.