Getting the Public Behind the Need for Solar Schools

Sometimes it's not enough to merely say that the hot ticket for a guaranteed future job is training in solar technology. Sometimes not even an article in the venerable New York Times is enough to alert those seeking job training and those wanting to increase their already existing alternative energy training skills that the way to future economic prosperity is though studying at solar schools. In many cases private industry has teamed up with non-profit organizations and educational institutions to get the word out and make gaining solar credentials more attractive and affordable. If the promise of a green job isn't enough, organizations are finding ways to make the rewards of solar schools more immediate.

Scholarships are one of the ways to help make education more easily attainable. One organization, Capital Idea of Austin Texas, is helping students study solar technology at Austin Community College by paying for their books, tuition, and in at least one case paying for part of child daycare. The program at Austin Community College offers students an associate's degree in Renewable Energy Specialization in Solar Photovoltaic Energy. At least fifty of the students are currently studying under full scholarship. Experts say this isn't a surprising figure considering the expected job growth in green technology and the public need to consume as much solar power information as they can. But others at Capital Idea say that what is surprising is that additional funds are available, but not enough people have shown interest in the scholarships to solar schools.

It's not just at the community college level that free rides are being offered. Other institutions are generous assistance in attending higher education solar schools. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is offering to U.S. students scholarships to study solar technology. The program offers study in alternative and sustainable energy, and the studies will be located on a campus powered entirely by renewable, mainly solar, energy. Assistance includes 100% free tuition, books, laptop, housing, travel expense reimbursement, exam fee reimbursement, and no conditions upon graduation. The program will offer both master's degrees and doctorates.

Other organizations endeavor to not only reach out to prospective students but to educate the entire public on the need for alternative energy training and solar schools. One of the better-known projects, the National Energy Education & Development Project (NEED) strives to make awareness of the need for renewable energy a regular part of the public school curriculum. NEED makes all of its curriculum free and readily available to teachers and schools. Other organizations have done similar things on a local or state level. For instance the Texas State Energy Conservation Office commissioned lesson plans for grades kindergarten through twelve to be used at all Texas public schools.

While vast sectors of the workforce have been laid off and others are facing an uncertain future, solar power information is an area of study that has adequate funding and guaranteed job placement. What it doesn't yet have are enough students currently enrolled. But if the collaboration of industry, government, and non-profit organizations achieve their goal, we will all soon know about the benefits of studying at a solar school.