Solar Thermal Technology

Shine over your peers with the right training for a solar energy career

Half a day’s sunlight in the U.S. provides enough energy to run our country for one year. That’s why solar energy technology is so important

In Monroe Community College’s solar thermal technology certificate program, you’ll develop practical, cutting-edge skills that will impress employers in the fast-growing solar energy industry. Your job title could be:

  • Solar photovoltaic installer
  • HVAC technician
  • Solar thermal installer and technician
  • Solar energy installation manager
  • Solar sales representative and assessor
  • Heating and air conditioning mechanic and installer

At MCC, you’ll get a learning opportunity you can’t get anywhere else: hands-on experience in our Solar Thermal Auxiliary Resource (STAR) Lab. Built by students for students, this 40-foot-high outdoor lab simulates an actual rooftop panel installation.

You can get solar thermal training at MCC as a stand-alone certificate or as part of our heating, ventilating & air conditioning (HVAC) associate degree program. Either way, you’ll create big opportunities for yourself in the job market.

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Become a Solar Energy HVAC Specialist with this Solar Technology Certificate

We designed the solar thermal certificate program for students who seek to enter the solar-energy industry as installers and service technicians, and for people already working in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning who want to improve their job skills.

You’ll get the hands-on training necessary to install and work with solar thermal systems, along with classroom instruction that covers the fundamentals, such as:

  • Solar heat collection and transfer
  • Building codes
  • Principles of solar thermal systems

After earning the certificate, you’ll be prepared to pass the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Solar Thermal Entry Level Certification Exam. Then you’ll be even more marketable to employers like these:

  • EMCOR Services Betlem
  • Isaac Commercial & Industrial Services
  • NOCO Energy Corp
  • Daikin McQuay International
  • American Climate Tech
  • Tradesman International
  • Lennox International

To find out more about the solar thermal technology certificate and all the HVAC programs from Monroe Community College, contact the admissions office at admissions@monroecc.edu or (585) 292-2200.

Solar Thermal Technology

Certificate Program

Department:Applied Technologies

School(s): Applied Sciences & Technologies

MCC Program Code: ST02

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 with properly selected components.
2.Perform start up, testing and, adjustment of solar thermal heating systems.
3.Perform service and maintenance on solar thermal heating systems according to industry standards.
4.Diagnose common malfunctions for solar thermal equipment.
5.Perform corrective repairs for solar thermal equipment.
6.Design, size, and select solar thermal heating systems for proper applications.

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

Requirements for Program Entrance
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 Systems3
HVA 105 Electric and Motor Controls3
HVA 202 Boiler Systems3
MTH 150 Survey of Mathematics or higher SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION MATHEMATICS (SUNY-MATH) ELECTIVE3-4
STT 101 Introduction to Solar Thermal Technology3
Total18-19
SECOND SEMESTER: 16 Credit Hours
HVA 102 Air Conditioning Theory 3
HVA 104 Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps 3
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION NATURAL SCIENCES and SCIENTIFIC REASONING (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE3-4
STT 102 Solar Thermal Installation3
STT 201 Troubleshooting and Preventative Maintenance for Solar Thermal Systems3
Total 15-16
TOTAL CREDITS 33-35
Revised 6/16/2026