Ecotech Institute 2011 Clipbook

Ecotech Institute
Media Presence
2011

Table of Contents
January................................................................................................page 4 to 19
February............................................................................................... page 20 to 30
March...................................................................................................page 31 to 49
April......................................................................................................page 50 to 52
May.......................................................................................................page 53 to 65
June......................................................................................................page 66 to 75
page 76 and 77
July........................................................................................................
August..................................................................................................page 78 to 87
September.......................................................................................... page 88 to 95
October.............................................................................................. page 96 to 111
November........................................................................................... page 112 to 121
December......................................................................................... page 122 to 129

Virginia College parent company reports on ‘zero-client’ experiment | Kyle Crider
January 1, 2011

When Education Corporation of America (ECA, the operator of Virginia College and other more specialized
schools) decided it wanted to leverage the virtualization of its central data center, it chose its new Ecotech
campus in Denver to act as incubator for a cutting-edge zero-client experiment. Ecotech Institute is the first
and only college entirely focused on preparing graduates for careers in the rapidly growing fields of renewable
energy, sustainable design, and energy efficiency. A zero client, as ECA defines it, is a small device that has no
function or hardware other than what is necessary to connect to a remote server.

In addition to minimizing costs, zero-client technology seemed in line with ECA’s business model, including
operating with as small a corporate footprint—in this case, warm bodies, not greenhouse gases—as possible.
It was a natural progression from such best IT practices as voice over IP, which allow a single data cable to be
pulled, rather than pulling separate lines for phone and data.

ECA chose VDI (now VMware) View for the Ecotech experiment, and like all “bleeding-edge” technology the
implementation involved a lot of hard work and a lot of long weekends. “There were certain speed bumps we
had to overcome,” explains Lloyd Weaver, VP for Corporate IT. While plenty of organizations were using View,
very few, if any, were utilizing it to the full extent of ECA’s Ecotech experiment.

The Ecotech deployment was completed in late January 2010. The final results were impressive, by most any
metric. For example, ECA saved approximately $500 per workstation by utilizing zero-client terminals rather
than desktops. The servers to drive this technology do cost a bit more than traditional servers, but the other
savings result in a short payback period. There were indirect savings as well: Since zero clients don’t even have
a fan, this loss of heat load allowed for air conditioning savings in all Ecotech labs. Indeed, when energy savings
were calculated, a conservative estimate was that Ecotech zero-client technology was saving the equivalent
energy of 62 microwave ovens running 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year!

Furthermore, zero-client technology solves a number of top-down and bottom-up IT headaches, from
consistency through security. The nightmare of constantly updating individual workstations to guard against
virus introduction via student USB drives just fades quietly away.

The Ecotech incubator experiment went so well—and proved so surprisingly green—that ECA plans to
implement zero-client technology at its new Virginia College campuses scheduled to open in 2011. “ECA has
an awareness of—and sensitivity to—environmental matters,” explains Ron Maillette, who functions as ECA’s
CIO and CSO2 (Corporate Security Officer and Corporate Sustainability Officer). “We want to ‘walk the talk’ of
Ecotech here at HQ and at our other campuses.”

Despite its name, even “zero” client technology eventually produces the dreaded specter of e-waste. However,
ECA has solved that problem by partnering with Intercon, a U.S. Department of Defense-certified data-safe,
zero-landfill electronics recycler.

page

January 9, 2011
Ecotech Institute Grand Opening

Ecotech’s grand opening was featured on the 10 p.m. news on January 9.

See flash drive for full video.

page

January 13, 2011

Ecotech’s grand opening was featured on the 9 p.m. news on January 13, and the 5 a.m. news on
January 14.


page

**Press release, which had 35
pick-ups, including the three
cited here.**
January 13, 2011
Envision Solar Designs, Installs Solar Parking Project At Ecotech Institute

Envision Solar International, Inc. (OTCBB: EVSI), a leading sustainable infrastructure designer and developer,
announces the design and installation of its Solar Tree® parking structures at the new Ecotech Institute, the
first and only college entirely focused on renewable energy, sustainable design and energy efficiency. SunRenu
Solar, LLC chose Envision Solar for the project. Its Solar Trees will create renewable solar energy to offset the
electricity costs for the Institute in its Aurora, Colo. parking lot.

Envision Solar’s solar parking arrays provide both shade and clean electricity for their owners. The highly
architected and engineered designs are ideal for parking structures and surface lots, and environments that
prefer competitively priced clean renewable energy. Additionally, they create added value for the property in
the form of covered parking. The company designs and installs its Solar Trees and Solar Groves™ for a wide
range of environments, including corporate campuses, commercial office buildings, light industrial facilities,
shopping malls, restaurants, government buildings, schools, universities and hospitals.

“Parking lots and parking structures provide a tremendous opportunity for solar deployment, and we are
pleased to have been selected by SunRenu Solar for this exciting project,” said Envision Solar President
Desmond Wheatley. “Our leading designs will be an ideal catalyst for the students at this innovative learning
center, and we are proud to have been chosen as a prime example of the right way to design and deploy solar
parking arrays.”

Envision Solar has a significant portfolio of solar deployments at educational establishments. The Solar Grove
parking structure at UC San Diego, designed by the company’s founder Robert Noble, has won numerous
awards for architectural and engineering excellence.

“At SunRenu Solar and SunRenu Solar Contractors, we have a passion for the solar business and incorporate
innovative solar power system design, construction, and solar production monitoring to implement solar
solutions with the highest return on investment,” said SunRenu Managing Member John McDonnell. “Envision
Solar is the obvious choice for deployments where a highly architected solution and superior installation is
required. Envision Solar’s portfolio of high quality projects speaks for itself, and we look forward to doing many
more projects with the company.”

The Ecotech Institute prepares students for careers in fields such as solar power, wind turbine technology,
sustainable interior design, environmental paralegal, and the environmental jobs of the new green economy.
The Institute selected SunRenu Solar because of the creative and innovative approach that the company brings
to turn-key solar deployments.

For more information about Envision Solar or any of its Solar Tree designs and structures, visit www.
envisionsolar.com.

page

January 14, 2011

Ecotech’s grand opening was featured on the 7 a.m. news on January 14.


page

January 15, 2011
Ecotech’s Impressive New Digs in Aurora

Career college now home to wind turbines, solar panels, car charging stations, solar trees, hi-tech labs and
more

Students at Ecotech Institute are now taking classes in its freshly minted facility at 1400 South Abilene Street
in Aurora. The school has transformed a vacant, large-footprint building into a progressive campus focused on
educating future participants in the renewable energy and sustainability industries.

The institution set up shop in Denver last spring, with its first round of classes in July taking place in a
temporary building. Almost 200 students started the third quarter last week in the new facility. It features 30
classrooms, 12 state-of-the-art computer and science labs (e.g. electrical, wiring, solar, wind safety, controls
and environmental science), studios, student and faculty lounges, a library, and a variety of other amenities.

In addition, throughout the building can be found energy and resource savings, including:
• Twelve polycrystalline rooftop photovoltaic solar panels with a system capacity of 2.8 kilowatts.
• Integral thin solar technologies embedded into the glass of the front building canopy — a system with a
capacity of 9.4 kilowatts.
• Eight small wind turbines mounted on the roof to generate up to 4.8 kilowatts of electricity.
• A Vertical Axis wind turbine that can generate a total capacity of 4 kilowatts.
• Two solar trees, each providing 16.9 kilowatts of electricity, that will generate over 50,000 kilowatt
hours per year of electricity.
• Energy efficient lighting that will reduce energy consumption by 30 percent below standard lighting
energy levels.
• Water sense, low-flow fixtures in lavatories.
• Motion sensors and a programmed schedule to limit lighting in unoccupied rooms.
“Beginning courses in our new building marks a tremendous milestone in our evolving growth,” says Michael
Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “This campus embraces what we are most passionate about: access to
exceptional education and commitment to the environment.”

“Green jobs are in demand in Colorado and around the country and we are pleased to provide top-notch,
hands-on education that will deliver graduates to companies that are leading the cleantech sector,” Seifert
added.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers
seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills that are
highly valued by today’s renewable energy employers. The programs include:
• Electrical Engineering Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Energy and Environmental Paralegal, Associate of Applied Science
• Energy Efficiency, Associate of Applied Science
• Environmental Technology, Associate of Applied Science page

• Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Sustainable Interior Design, Certificate Program
• Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

Visit the website to learn more. Applications are being accepted now, and financial assistance is available for
those who qualify.

page 10

Ecotech Institute opens its doors | Adam Goldstein
January 17, 2011

A new trade school focused entirely on renewable energy,
sustainable design and “green” technology welcomed about
200 students to its new, 62,000-square-foot campus in Aurora
this week.

Less than a year after the Ecotech Institute opened its first
classes in a temporary facility off East Iliff Avenue, officials
welcomed new and returning students to its permanent home
at 1400 S. Abilene St.

Classes started Monday at the campus near East Mississippi
Avenue and Interstate 225, a building that boasts photovoltaic
solar panels and wind turbines on the roof, “solar trees” in the parking lot and motion-triggered lighting
systems in the classrooms.

According to faculty, staff and administrators from Ecotech, the first school devoted entirely to preparing
students for “green” trades, such features hint at the school’s bigger mission.

“The thought is that this will be the hub where we fine tune
the program,” said Glenn Wilson, Ecotech’s academic dean.
“There is no college like this that prepares (students) for
these types of technical jobs in the clean energy field.”

The school’s two-year degree program offers associate
degrees in electrical engineering technology, energy and
environmental paralegal, energy efficiency, environmental
technology, renewable energy technology, solar energy
technology and wind energy technology, as well as a
certificate program in sustainable interior design. Ecotech’s
faculty total about 70, instructors that are required to hold a
master’s degree.

The tuition runs at about $350 per credit hour, and the specialized degree programs encompass 96 credit
hours for completion.

The school’s general education requirements include math, science, English and computer technology courses.

“When we talk to the people hiring the students, we want them to have a good understanding of the physics,
the chemistry, the geography and everything that’s behind the science. That’s why we have general eds,” 11
page

Wilson said. “Then we have classes that are related to core manufacturing and installing. We have basic
electricity, we have safety, digital electronics ... so they understand the equipment in a generic sort of way.”

Ecotech’s parent company, Alabama-based Education Corporation of America, also operates Virginia College,
Culinard: The Culinary Institute of Virginia and the Golf Academy of America. In total, the ECA enrolls an
estimated 19,000 students.

When officials first announced plans for Ecotech last year, they said enrollment at the Aurora school could
range between 700 and 1,200. Now in its third quarter, the trade school is still building its attendance
numbers, Wilson said. About 75 new students started classes at the school this week, while more than 100
returning students moved to classes in the new facility.

Still, Ecotech officials say the new building can accommodate more than 1,000 students, a number they’re
hoping to eventually surpass. Satellite campuses could be part of the school’s future, officials said, but the
Aurora facility will stand as the model for the school’s operations and curriculum.

“One of the key issues is how we built the facility,” said Ecotech President Michael Seifert. “We have the solar
trees, we have a major wind turbine; that’s a key issue. We wanted to make sure that as we teach these future
employees, that we walk the talk. I think that’s very important.”

page 12

**Press release, which had
seven pick-ups, including the
two cited here.**
January 19, 2011
Ecotech Institute Offers Cutting-Edge Electrical Engineering Technology Program

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for alternative energy
careers in renewable energy and sustainable design, today announced growing demand for its Electrical Engineering
Technology Program. As research continues to underscore the importance of an overhauled power sector, related
job skills will be critical and Ecotech’s program is in the forefront for career training.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, launched
in Denver, Colorado in April 2010 with seven highly practical renewal energy degree programs and one certificate
program that provide graduates with skills that are valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

According to The 21st Century Electric Utility: Positioning for a Low-Carbon Future, a Ceres Report authored by
Navigant Consulting, “The successful 21st century electric utility company will be very different from the utility of
the 20th century. To remain competitive, today’s utility must respond to the risks and opportunities from climate
change, carbon costs, volatile fuel prices, emerging clean technologies, expanding energy efficiency programs,
increasing customer expectations and competing third party energy providers. Responding to these challenges will
require new core competencies and revised business models for U.S. utilities.”

“Ecotech’s Electrical Engineering Technology Program is in high demand for its ability to prepare graduates for
careers that require highly technical knowledge in the new energy economy,” says Alison Wise, Director of Career
Services at Ecotech Institute. “For example, as the aging grid moves toward Smart Grid technologies, our students
will have the knowledge base to sustain lifelong careers in this changing industry.”

This program prepares students for alternative energy careers while focused on the fundamentals of electrical
engineering. Ecotech’s state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities allow students the opportunity to apply theory and
graduates will be well prepared to become electrical engineering technicians.

The Electrical Engineering Technology Associate degree requires 96 credit hours of education. Upon successful
completion of this program, students should be able to:
• Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge to design, build, repair, calibrate, and modify
electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery;
• Perform diagnostic electrical analysis;
• Meet industry standards within the electrical engineering field;
• Apply safety principles; and
• Coordinate a successful job search.

Ecotech Institute also offers the following programs:
• Energy Efficiency Program, Associate of Applied Science
• Energy and Environmental Paralegal, Associate of Applied Science
• Environmental Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Sustainable Interior Design, Certificate Program
• Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/. Applications are being accepted
now and financial assistance is available. page 13

Ecotech dean: ‘There is no college like this’ | Adam Goldstein
January 20, 2011

Photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines dot the roof, “solar
trees” stand in the parking lot and motion-triggered systems
control the lights in the classrooms.

Such cutting-edge features at the 620,000-square-foot Ecotech
campus near East Mississippi Avenue and Interstate 225 aren’t
just for show. The commitment to “green” technology at every
level of the facility’s operation points to the school’s deeper
mission, according to faculty and administrators.

“One of the key issues is how we built the facility,” said Ecotech
President Michael Seifert. “We have the solar trees, we have a
major wind turbine; that’s a key issue. We wanted to make sure that as we teach these future employees, that
we walk the talk. I think that’s very important.”

Ecotech, a trade school focused entirely on renewable energy, sustainable design and “green” technology
welcomed about 200 students to its new campus in Aurora last week. Touting the only school of its kind,
Ecotech officials pointed to future growth as students filed in for classes in solar energy technology, energy
efficiency and other fields.

“The thought is that this will be the hub where we fine tune the program,” said Glenn Wilson, Ecotech’s
academic dean. “There is no college like this that prepares (students) for these types of technical jobs in the
clean energy field.”

Less than a year after the Ecotech Institute opened its first classes in a temporary facility off East Iliff Avenue,
officials opened the doors to new and returning students at its permanent home at 1400 S. Abilene St. The
building boasts a programmable logic controller lab and a 20-foot tower to train students on wind safety and
technology installation. The school draws its faculty equally from the private sector and academia.

“There’s such a wealth of talent in the technical fields, there are a lot of companies starting up here,” Wilson
said. “If you’re going to teach math or science, we hire academic people. If you’re going to teach how to break
down a wind turbine, we might get someone who’s had some teaching experience, but we’re more concerned
that they understand this job that the students will be doing in the field.”

Phil Myers, the school’s program director, came to Ecotech after teaching at the Air Force Academy in Colorado
Springs and at community colleges across the state. Filling a post similar to a department chair at Ecotech held
a special appeal, Myers said, because of the school’s unique curriculum and because of its funding structure.

page 1

“It looked like one of the most exciting things that was
going to happen in my life,” Myers said. “The state system
... because of the way it’s funded, when people really
need education in economic downturns, the budgets are
always cut. We’re right at a time where we really need to
be educating people, especially in fields that are essential
to our nation’s success and security. Private institutions
have the ability to fund as demand requires.”

The school’s two-year degree program offers associate
degrees in electrical engineering technology, energy and
environmental paralegal, energy efficiency, environmental
technology, renewable energy technology, solar energy
technology and wind energy technology, as well as a certificate program in sustainable interior design.
Ecotech’s faculty total about 70 instructors who are all required to hold a master’s degree.



the chemistry, the geography and everything that’s behind the science. That’s why we have general eds,”




“As we go to the next campus, we’ll have a model,” Wilson said. “We’ll know the lab equipment, the
curriculum, we’ll have experience with the employers and the jobs. This is a proving ground for this process.”

page 1

Alternative energy opens new classroom opportunities | Cathy Proctor
January 21, 2011

page 1

Rep. Perlmutter boils down Obama’s State of the Union | Sara Castellanos
January 25, 2011

In his State of the Union speech Tuesday evening, President Barack Obama listed a variety of objectives for the
coming year and detailed specific methods by which America could compete in the global arena.

But the gist of his message could be boiled down to three themes, said U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden
— opportunity, innovation and working together.

At the speech, Perlmutter sat between U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, and Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, in a rare
symbol of bipartisanship that was spearheaded by Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Udall.

“I think each of us was out of our comfort zone a little bit,” Perlmutter said. “But I think we enjoyed sitting next
to each other.”

Even with the Colorado legislators’ proximity during the president’s address, Coffman wasted little time in
criticizing the underlying message of Obama’s speech. In a release distributed soon after the State of the Union
address, Coffman characterized the president’s pledges as thinly veiled promises for continued government
spending and intervention.

“The President pledged to improve the economy by lowering government barriers, but at the same time he
tried to sell us on his plan for further ‘investment’ in our economy,” Coffman said in a statement. “I’ll call
that as I see it: a codeword for billions of dollars of more spending and anyone can see that adding to the $14
trillion deficit will do nothing to create jobs or grow the economy.”

Obama discussed how the spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation would pave the way for lofty
accomplishments.

Perlmutter said lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will be able to agree on common areas this year:
improving education and tax code and spurring clean energy.

He said Aurora is already leading the way in clean energy creation with its Ecotech Institute, a college
dedicated to preparing students for careers in renewable energy.

As for small businesses in Aurora that are looking to get into the renewable energy business, Perlmutter said
he’d ensure that loan guarantees will be given to projects that are innovative and imaginative.

Beginning this year, Obama said he would institute a freeze in annual domestic spending over the next five
years and veto any bill with Congressional earmarks that came across his desk.

Perlmutter is not phased by that statement.
page 1

“I’ll just have to work with the administration and make sure that the things that are important to our area get
done,” he said.

This year’s State of the Union speech was aimed at bipartisanship cooperation, encouraging innovation,
fostering improvements in education and cutting discretionary government spending.

Last year, the president focused on goals that included spurring job creation, investing in education, passing
health care reform and improving the people’s perception of division and distrust in the government.

Overall, Perlmutter said he thought Obama’s speech this year was “solid.”

“There were aspects that were pretty conservative in terms of education reform, tax reform, and parts that
were considered progressive on clean energy,” Perlmutter said. “He hit a lot of points in that speech and he
looked very presidential to me, talking about the problems we have but how America always rises to the
challenge.”

page 1

Ecotech dean: ‘There is no college like this’ | Adam Goldstein (Aurora Sentinel)
February 1, 2011

Photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines dot the roof, “solar trees” stand in the parking lot and motion-
triggered systems control the lights in the classrooms.

Such cutting-edge features at the 620,000-square-foot Ecotech campus near East Mississippi Avenue and
Interstate 225 aren’t just for show. The commitment to “green” technology at every level of the facility’s
operation points to the school’s deeper mission, according to faculty and administrators.

“One of the key issues is how we built the facility,” said Ecotech President Michael Seifert. “We have the solar
trees, we have a major wind turbine; that’s a key issue. We wanted to make sure that as we teach these future
employees, that we walk the talk. I think that’s very important.”

Ecotech, a trade school focused entirely on renewable energy, sustainable design and “green” technology
welcomed about 200 students to its new campus in Aurora last week. Touting the only school of its kind,
Ecotech officials pointed to future growth as students filed in for classes in solar energy technology, energy
efficiency and other fields.

“The thought is that this will be the hub where we fine tune the program,” said Glenn Wilson, Ecotech’s
academic dean. “There is no college like this that prepares (students) for these types of technical jobs in the
clean energy field.”

Less than a year after the Ecotech Institute opened its first classes in a temporary facility off East Iliff Avenue,
officials opened the doors to new and returning students at its permanent home at 1400 S. Abilene St. The
building boasts a programmable logic controller lab and a 20-foot tower to train students on wind safety and
technology installation. The school draws its faculty equally from the private sector and academia.

“There’s such a wealth of talent in the technical fields, there are a lot of companies starting up here,” Wilson
said. “If you’re going to teach math or science, we hire academic people. If you’re going to teach how to break
down a wind turbine, we might get someone who’s had some teaching experience, but we’re more concerned
that they understand this job that the students will be doing in the field.”

Phil Myers, the school’s program director, came to Ecotech after teaching at the Air Force Academy in Colorado
Springs and at community colleges across the state. Filling a post similar to a department chair at Ecotech held
a special appeal, Myers said, because of the school’s unique curriculum and because of its funding structure.

“It looked like one of the most exciting things that was going to happen in my life,” Myers said. “The state
system ... because of the way it’s funded, when people really need education in economic downturns, the
budgets are always cut. We’re right at a time where we really need to be educating people, especially in fields
that are essential to our nation’s success and security. Private institutions have the ability to fund as demand
requires.”

The school’s two-year degree program offers associate degrees in electrical engineering technology, energy
page 20

and environmental paralegal, energy efficiency, environmental technology, renewable energy technology, solar
energy technology and wind energy technology, as well as a certificate program in sustainable interior design.
Ecotech’s faculty total about 70 instructors who are all required to hold a master’s degree.



the chemistry, the geography and everything that’s behind the science. That’s why we have general eds,”




“As we go to the next campus, we’ll have a model,” Wilson said. “We’ll know the lab equipment, the
curriculum, we’ll have experience with the employers and the jobs. This is a proving ground for this process.”

page 21

Ecotech Institute unveils new green campus | Amanda H. Miller
February 4, 2011

A new trade school dedicated to training the next generation of green-
technology workers opened a solar panel-clad campus in Aurora, Colo.,
last week.

The 62,000-square-foot facility is a state-of-the art building fitted with
wind turbines, solar photovoltaic panels and solar trees in the parking lot.

The solar and wind features on the building will provide about 10 percent
of its energy needs, said Glenn Wilson, Ecotech Institute academic dean.

The solar trees in the parking lot are one of the school’s most prominent and visible green feature, which
advertises the greater purpose of the school.

“People will be able to charge electric cars into those solar trees,” Wilson said. “They’ll be able to charge them
there.”

The Ecotech Institute was founded by the Education Corporation of America, which owns and operates trade
and community colleges around the country.

“They saw a need for an educational institution that would prepare students for green technology careers,”
Wilson said.

He said the Education Corporation decided to locate its new school in Aurora because Colorado is rich with
universities and research institutions like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, doing good work and
research in green technology. There are also a lot of companies entering into commercial enterprises involving
green technology, Wilson said.

“Colorado is also a great environment for renewables research—lots of sun and wind,” Wilson said.
The school opened two years ago and has been functioning in a temporary location until the start of this
semester last week, Wilson said.

When the new building opened last week, about 200 new and returning students filtered through the doors.
The building is large, and there will be a lot of room for expansion over the next few years as the school grows
and becomes more well-known throughout the country.

It is the first school of its kind, devoted completely to green technology education, Wilson said.
The building will prove to be a tool for students in their classes, Wilson said.

“They’ll be able see a solar installation and monitor its energy production so they can better understand how
the technology works,” Wilson said.
page 22

Affordable Trade Schools | Clare Inza Tyler
February 6, 2011

What makes a trade school affordable pertains to the overall cost in relation to the skills being taught. The
more marketable and lucrative the skills, the more “worth it” the cost will be. If a student lacks sufficient funds
to attend school, some trade schools offer a payment plan. Qualified students may consider student financing
as an option. Attending a school offering a flexible class schedule allows for part-time employment to help with
school expenses.

Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute in Aurora, Colorado, gears its curriculum exclusively toward helping create and maintain a
green economy. Training is offered in a variety of sustainable design and renewable energy fields. Flexible class
schedules make this school an attractive choice for those needing part-time work. Financial aid for those who
qualify helps put students’ attention on career goals as opposed to financial concerns. Ecotech is accredited
through the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Crimson Technical College
The Airframe Powerplant (AP) program at Crimson Technical College in Inglewood, California, focuses on
the safety of aircraft while in flight. Technicians receive certification from the Federal Aviation Administration,
which gives an AP exam. If passed, it qualifies the technician for an entry-level job. Regarding affordability,
Crimson expresses the belief that everyone has the right to education beyond high school. They participate in
federal and state loan programs and encourage those who qualify to take advantage of them. Stress is put on
early enrollment to assure receipt of financial aid. With the exception of the Pell Grant, students must enroll
for at least half-time in order to be eligible for assistance. Crimson’s website contains detailed information. The
college is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.

Environmental Technical Institute
Chicago’s Environmental Technical Institute (ETI) offers up-to-date training in heating, ventilation and air
conditioning and welding. Graduate benefits make it cost effective in the long run. For example, graduates
audit classes free of charge. They meet with instructors of the school to go over their work life since
graduation. The comprehensive audio-visual library serves graduates as well as students. ETI’s Career Services
Department helps with employment opportunities. ETI participates in a number of federal financial aid
programs, and qualified students can obtain details from the school’s Financial Aid staff. Accreditation is
through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools/Colleges of Technology.

Penn Foster Career School
For distance education, Penn Foster Career School--- headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania --- eases
financial burden by offering a variety of payment plans. If unable to pay in full, students set up an automatic
payment plan for deductions to be made monthly either from bank accounts or credit cards. The other option
involves mailing in monthly payments using a coupon book. The school offers a vast selection of courses for
students in just about every trade found in the workforce. Veterans’ education benefits apply for courses at
Penn Foster, and military personnel receive tuition reimbursement. The school is accredited by the Commission
on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association and the Distance Education and Training Council.
page 23

February kicks off with solar gains and icy roads | Chris Meehan
February 7, 2011

While the solar industry continues to grow, it’s not big enough to
warrant a Super Bowl ad yet. Maybe in 2012.

Who knows, by then a company like Genesis Electronics, selling
solar-powered chargers for iPhones, could have a SuperBowl
ad. Or maybe it will be a solar leasing company like SolarCity
or Sungevity, after they’ve expanded nationwide. They’re both
expanding their reach in 2011, for instance, fast on the heels
of SolarCity’s expansion into Oregon. SolarCity said it will start
offering solar leases in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Then last
week, it announced that Citigroup was investing $40 million into
SolarCity’s coffers, allowing it to expand the number of SolarLeases
it can offer in 2011.

On the other hand, you might not need a solar lease for a new
home. You could buy into a community solar project. For instance,
folks are pretty happy with Clean Energy Collective’s first community-owned solar array in Colorado. The
company is now developing more solar gardens in Colorado and looking to expand its model elsewhere.

Perhaps your next new home will be built with solar integrated in from day one. Developers are working on
projects that include solar in the blueprints. For instance, the 2500 R revitalization project includes 34 net-zero
energy homes being built by Pacific Housing Inc., which include photovoltaic arrays.

The homes in the California project are designed as entry-levels houses and will be offered below market price.
That’s not the case of BuiltSmart Resources’ sprawling 3,900 square foot, solar-powered, net-zero energy
home in San Antonio, Texas. The house would cost about $550,000 on a normal-sized lot, but it’s on a two-acre
lot near the city and is valued at $1.3 million.

With all this growth in the industry, it’s no surprise that schools are involved in the growth of clean energy.
Even in the rainy northwestern U.S., schools like Clatsop Community College are installing solar. The school
recently completed work on its Towler Hall renovation project, which included the installation of a 42.5-
kilowatt array.

Last week saw the opening of Ecotech Institute’s new campus in Colorado, the first U.S. trade school dedicated
purely to renewable energy education. It’s not that other Colorado higher education institutions aren’t
interested in renewable energy—Colorado State University’s foothills campus gets a full third of its power from
solar now that the school completed the second phase of its 5.3 megawatt solar array.

California, of course, refuses to be left behind.

page 2

Last week, Wells Fargo invested $100 million to install solar at the University of San Diego and five other
California schools.

But not everyone in California is happy about solar being installed at their school.

Parents and students of Dwyer Middle School in Huntington Beach, Calif., protested the planned location of a
solar array on the school’s front lawn.

Georgia Power made the solar news twice last week. First the company announced that it would purchase a
1 megawatt solar farm and sell the power generated to Dalton Utilities under a wholesale contract, the first
time the company has made such an arrangement with a solar farm. Second, the company said it is installing
photovoltaics along some of its electric lines to study how distributed solar generation will impact the
company’s power network in Georgia.

It seems like they’re getting the picture in Georgia. But in some states, like South Dakota, a lack of incentive
programs and lack of interest from the state’s electric cooperatives has stymied growth in solar. The state
could benefit from developing large-scale solar plants by selling the power produced to more populous states
nearby.

Heck, the state would be an ideal location for large-scale, concentrated solar power plants. Such projects,
which include solar power towers, troughs and solar powered Stirling engines are already expected to be on
the rise in 2011 and beyond, according to a new report from Lux Research.

In all, it was another busy week for solar, and while the industry is gaining yardage, it’s going to be interesting
to watch how many touchdowns the industry can score against the entrenched fossil fuel-based energy
industry in 2011.

page 2

Wind Mill Construction Schools | Ian Burns
February 9, 2011

If you’re interested in building windmills, find a technical or
trade school that specializes in renewable energy sources.
These schools provide wind turbine technician certificates that
employers on wind farms will use to gauge your proficiency
on tasks such as engineering circuits to convert wind into
energy or designing blades that maximize the amount of wind
captured.

Ecotech Institute
The Ecotech Institute in Denver, Colorado opened in early
2011 sporting a solar panel and wind turbine clad campus.
Founded by the Education Corporation of America, the
Ecotech Institute provides an Associate of Applied Science in wind energy technology that teaches students
how to operate, maintain and repair wind turbines and prepares them to work on variable pitch/variable
speed turbines as well. The Ecotech Institute is the first trade school dedicated solely to green energy
technology and education.

Wind Turbine Technician Academy
A part of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Wind Turbine Technician
Academy offers a 26 week, competency based program that equips graduates with a Kalamazoo Valley
Community College Certificate of Completion, a BZEE certificate (after the student passes the appropriate tests
and finishes the minimum field experience requirement) and a transcript that can be used as a reference for
employers.

Northwest Renewable Energy Institute
The Northwest Renewable Energy Institute has campuses in Eugene, Oregon; Medford, Oregon; Ellensburg,
Washington and Yakima, Washington. Students have access to a variety of classes on subjects ranging from
wind turbine safety to technical writing.

Oklahoma City Community College
The OCCC Wind Technician Certification Program consists of 6 classes: Introduction to Wind Energy, AC/
DC Fundamentals, Industrial Electronics, Electromechanical Devices, Instrumentation and control and
Programmable Controller. Classes total 88 weeks.

page 2

February 10, 2011
‘Green jobs’ Come in Every Shape and Size

Everyone is talking about “green jobs.” While many people are eager to become employed in the sustainability
sector, there are naysayers who don’t believe that they actually exist. As part of the ongoing, healthy dialogue
about what and where green jobs are, it’s important to make an important distinction. While there are bona
fide positions that can be appropriately defined as a green job, there are thousands of other careers that are
simply changing in the new energy economy. The truth is, workplaces are shifting to more sustainable models,
with or without the catchy phrase.

According to the Colorado Cleantech Action Plan, “Cleantech is growing in Colorado and creating thousands
of jobs.” Citing the Pew Center’s report, The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses, and
Investments Across America (http://bit.ly/dIpWGM), “Between 1999 and 2009, Colorado’s cleantech industry
grew at an annualized rate of 18 percent, more than twice the rate of the Colorado economy as a whole (8
percent).”

And Colorado isn’t alone. However, while wind, solar, energy efficiency and additional sustainable fields are
rapidly growing, they are not the only industries presenting green jobs to the workforce. Many career paths
are taking a turn, requiring new thinking and skill sets to keep up with the changing environmental landscape.

Architects, engineers, electricians and machinists will continue to be in demand, yet their job descriptions
may be continuously altered. Electricians will need to understand the new utility landscape; machinists will be
required to install and maintain new technologies; engineers across all industries will be asked to channel their
knowledge towards designing sustainable systems.

Here are some examples of changing industries outside of the traditional cleantech sector:

Utility companies. “Powerful trends are transforming the U.S. utility sector, including climate change, energy
security, and energy price volatility concerns; increasing deployment of alternative resources like energy
efficiency and renewable energy; and shifts in natural gas and other fossil fuel industries. Utilities that respond
most effectively to these key trends – and whose regulators and legislators support them in doing so – will be
best positioned to succeed in the 21st century.” (The 21st Century Electric Utility: Positioning for a Low-Carbon
Future, a Ceres report published by Navigant Consulting. 2010.)

Real Estate. From architects to real estate appraisers and agents to top executives, real estate professionals
are under pressure to recognize efficient building techniques, gain awareness of green design elements and
effectively value and incorporate them in today’s marketplace.

page 2

Corporate real estate executives are illustrating commitment to making sustainable decisions within their
real estate portfolios, which requires knowledge of Green Building certifications, Energy Labels, the costs and
benefits of retrofitting buildings and much more. According to the third annual CoreNet Global and Jones Lang
LaSalle sustainability survey conducted in September and October 2009 (http://bit.ly/hjgKm0), research shows
that sustainability remains a key agenda item for corporate real estate executives.

The report states, “Sustainability is a critical business issue today for 70 percent of respondents and 89 percent
consider sustainability criteria in their location decisions.”

Law firms. With an influx of sustainable activity, there will inevitably be legal issues. Well-prepared law firms
have lawyers and paralegals on staff who have the knowledge and confidence to perform highly complex
environmental legal research; draft, analyze, and manage complex legal documents and correspondence about
environmental topics; and prepare environmental filings, reports; real estate documents and more.

Agriculture. While windmills have been used on farms for decades, farmers and the overall agriculture
industry are taking great strides that are good for the earth, crops and business. Farming is actually among
the original green jobs, but new technologies are coming to market, requiring agricultural business leaders
to sell, install and maintain systems that keep our food supply moving and meet consumers’ desire for a
sustainable food system.

In Workforce Management magazine (http://bit.ly/gFQVHj), Raquel Pinderhughes, a professor of urban studies
at San Francisco State University, “identified 22 economic sectors with green-collar opportunities, including
food production (using organic agriculture), manufacturing (making energy-efficient and recycled products)
and auto repair (servicing alternative-fuel vehicles).”

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics hasn’t yet defined “green jobs,” there are businesses, HR directors, career
services departments and educational institutions invested in fostering sustainable careers across all industries.

Whether a career is given the term “green job” or fits within the confines of the green landscape, changes are
inevitable. They are already beginning to be reflected in educational and job training options. For example,
Ecotech Institute, based in Aurora, Colorado (a suburb of Denver) has opened its doors as the first and only
institution solely focused on renewable energy and sustainable design. Launched in April 2010, future
graduates are already in demand according to the college.

“We’re consistently receiving phone calls from businesses who can’t wait for our first graduating class,” said
Alison Wise, Director of Career Services for Ecotech Institute. “We speak with representatives from a wide
range of industries, all seeking people who can serve as the future leaders of their changing workforce.”

For more information on how Ecotech Institute sees the future of green jobs and education, visit www.
ecotechinstitute.com.

page 2

Green Energy Training Schools | Angus Koolbreeze III
February 11, 2011

Because of President Obama’s commitment to expanding
alternative energy, such as solar power, employers need
workers who can build and operate solar power systems,
windmills and other forms of green energy. Consequently,
a number of schools have added such training to their
curriculum. One such institution has arisen solely for the
purpose of training workers in this profession.

Allied Schools
Allied Schools is a participant in the renewable energy
technology revolution. Even though that is not the school’s
only focus, it does recognize the Obama administration’s
commitment to doubling the use of renewable energy by 2012, according to the Allied website. The degree
program even has a class, The Business of Solar, whose purpose is to prepare entrepreneurially-minded people
to build a viable solar energy business. The program also includes a class in photovaltaic systems. There is a
test, but if you don’t pass it, you pay nothing for the class. Allied Schools has provided distance education to its
students since 1992. According to the website, it has enrolled close to 825,000 students. For more information
concerning the school’s programs, call toll free: 800-732-7410.

Pinnacle
Pinnacle Career Institute, which has taught trade seeking students for over 50 years, teaches a course on being
a wind turbine technician. The college--which has two locations in Kansas City, and one in Lawrence, as well
as an online course--teaches hands-on skills. According to the PCI website, you will learn the requisite skills to
operate and manage a wind turbine and to keep it in working order. The program ends with a boot camp in
Sweetwater, Texas. To find out more about this institution, call 877-724-7344.

Everglades
Everglades University, whose main campus is at 5002 T-Rex Avenue, in Boca Raton, Florida, started in 1998, the
year that Arthur and Belinda Kaiser founded the school. The original name was the American Fliers College; in
1999 the college adopted the Everglades University name. The university also includes two satellite campuses,
one in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and the other one in Sarasota. The institution offers a bachelor of science
degree in the field of alternative and renewable energy. To complete the degree, you must also pass 30 credit
hours of general education courses. For more information, call 888-772-6077.

Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute, located on 1400 S. Abilene Street in Aurora, Colorado, bears the distinction of being the only
school that specializes in preparing students for careers in renewable energy. Indeed, it is the only reason the
college exists. Ecotech offers hands-on training designed to meet the needs of employers in the new green
economy, according to the school website. The college employs teachers with real-life experience in the energy
management and green design fields. The school opened its doors in April, 2010.
page 2

In putting together its curriculum, the curriculum designers sought feedback from the heads of major
corporations who said that they needed people with sustainable and renewable energy-related skills, such
as windmill operation and management and solar power system construction and maintenance. The school’s
website says the only entrance requirement is a “desire and ability to learn.” For more information about
enrollment, call 877-326-5576.

page 30

Building a Work Force for the New-Energy Economy | Nora Caley
March 1, 2011

page 32

Eco Pioneer | Beck Ireland
March 1, 2011

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on education and training in renewable energy and
sustainable design, prepares electrical workers for green jobs

In July 2010, Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on education and training in
renewable energy and sustainable design, opened its doors to
students. A division of Education Corp. of America, Birmingham,
Ala., the college offers six technical programs, including electrical
engineering technology, energy efficiency, environmental technology,
renewable energy technology, solar energy technology, and wind
energy technology (see Ecotech Institute Programs Up Close). At
the completion of each two-year, 96-hour credit program, students
receive an Associate of Applied Science degree.

The institute marks Education Corp. of America’s first foray into
technical education. “What it found is that there’s really a big need
in the renewable energy field for technicians who are going to install, operate, and maintain equipment in the
renewable energy field,” says Glenn Wilson, dean of students. “There’s been a really large growth in the jobs in
that sector.”

With a degree from the institute, graduates should be able to get work as an installer of renewable energy and
energy-efficient systems, but they can also work in the green manufacturing industry. “They certainly could get
the [North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners] NABCEP or the [Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.]
UL certifications and work as an installer,” says Wilson. “The degree prepares them to do not only that, but
they could also work in manufacturing as a high-level maintenance technician.”

Somewhere between construction and engineering is how Wilson describes the unique curriculum at the
institute. “Our students experience some lecture, but we focus on giving them as much hands-on experience
as possible,” he says. “They learn what an engineer might learn, such as control theory and digital and analog
control, but the programs also teach them how to apply what they’re learning. They’ll have a really broad-
based education on energy and the whole renewable field.”

Second careers
Currently, almost 200 students are enrolled in the technical college. The institute’s goal is eventually to attract
around 1,000. Some of the students have arrived straight out of high school. “They’re excited about doing
something in the renewable energy field,” says Wilson.

There are non-traditional students as well. In this economy, people start looking to begin a second career in
a different field that may offer more opportunities. “There are quite a few second-career students who have
been in another industry that either no longer exists, or they just want to leave for whatever reason —so
they’re trying to retrain themselves for a market that has a lot of job growth,” Wilson says. “They know to get a
job in this sector requires some pretty good training.” page 3

As a result, the Ecotech Institute campus is already fairly diverse. “We have students who range in age from
18 to into their 50s,” says Wilson, who is encouraged to see quite a few women enrolled in the programs too.
“The number of women in manufacturing just continues to grow, and we’d like to see more of them involved in
some of the maintenance and technical aspects as well,” Wilson says. “These are good jobs with good benefits,
so a lot of women are seeing this as a good career path.”

Moreover, Wilson sees veterans of the electrical construction industry as good candidates for some of the
programs. “It’s a good fit for people with a construction background who want to work not just installing, but
also want to understand the theory,” he explains. “That’s why the program is geared toward a combination of
hands-on labs and theory. It will allow them to maintain and troubleshoot equipment — not just install it.”

In fact, one of the institute’s newest students, according to Wilson, is the president of a local chapter of an
electrical workers’ union. “He enrolled here because he wants to learn about the renewable industry and also
controls theory,” Wilson says. “Certainly, a lot of people in electrical construction are seeing renewables as a
growth area, and they want to understand the specifics.”

Admission to the technical college requires a high school degree. In addition, candidates must be able to
pass a basic English and math skills test. Most of the programs include general education classes, such as
composition, physical science, and algebra. “For some people, that’s going to be challenging.” Wilson says.

However, the institute offers tutoring before classes start for those students who haven’t been inside a
classroom in quite some time. “A lot of people just need some refreshing,” Wilson continues. “We try to get
them up to speed so when they enter school, they’re not behind.” Furthermore, students will also need the
intellectual capacity to understand the subject of their program. “They’ll be studying some pretty sophisticated
control systems,” Wilson concludes.

Students with electrical experience could move to the head of the class in certain cases. For example, they may
be able to skip the classes on industrial wiring, 3-phase power, bus bars, and how to wire motors. “We would
probably exempt them from those classes,” Wilson says.

Friendly climate
Although the institute sees multiple campuses as a real possibility,
according to Wilson, the location in Aurora, Colo., is currently the
only campus (see Ecotech Institute Campus). “We would like to
have locations elsewhere,” Wilson says, noting that at this time
there are no online courses either. “We see that as being a real
possibility as demand continues to grow.”

However, the administration sees its location in Colorado as a
natural match for the school. “The state has really good natural
resources, good sun, good wind, and a lot of renewable activity
going on here,” says Wilson.

In fact, Colorado currently ranks 9th in wind project installations by state, adding 178MW of wind power in
2009. Also that year, Colorado ranked 8th in installed wind capacity and 11th in wind resources. The state now
ranks 3rd nationally for distributed solar PV capacity and 6th for its solar resources. It is also the location of the
National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

In addition to the actual climate, the political climate is kind to renewable energy as well. In 2009, the
Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), with funding from the U.S. page 3

Department of Energy (DOE) and Clean Energy Funds directed by the state legislature, spent more than $25.2
million, with 9%, or $2,268,000, directed to renewable energy and sustainability projects. The next year, the
state legislature voted to increase the Renewable Energy Standard to a “Best in the West” 30% by 2020. The
new law will create thousands of clean-energy jobs, further diversify Colorado’s overall energy portfolio,
and lead to 100,000 solar rooftops over the next decade. “There’s a really good legislative climate for the
renewable industry here,” Wilson concludes.

Ecotech Institute Programs Up Close
Aurora, Colo.-based Ecotech Institute, the first and only college in the United States entirely focused on
education and training in renewable energy and sustainable design, offers six technical programs, including
electrical engineering technology, energy efficiency, environmental technology, renewable energy technology,
solar energy technology, and wind energy technology. At the completion of each two-year, 96-hour credit
program, students receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Following is a description of the programs
that may be of interest to electrical contractors:

Electrical Engineering Technology: This program is designed to give graduates a solid grounding in the
fundamentals of clean energy production and transmission while specializing in electrical engineering. State-
of-the-art laboratories and facilities give students the opportunity to apply the theory they learn in real-world,
hands-on situations. Students learn to apply electrical and electronic theory to design, build, repair, calibrate,
and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery and perform diagnostic electrical analysis.
Classes cover topics such as AC and DC circuitry, safety techniques, power generation and transmission, analog
and digital electronics, and electrical systems and controls.

“Electrical engineering technology is for someone who wants to work at maintaining equipment in the
renewable energy sector,” says Glenn Wilson, dean of students. “They can work in any of the fields.”

The types of controls that are used in wind and solar energy systems, as well as manufacturing facilities for
SCADA systems, are programmable logic controllers (PLCs). “So students get an education not just on wiring
and construction, but they actually understand control theory and how to troubleshoot and maintain this type
of sophisticated equipment,” he says.

Energy Efficiency: This program provides students with immersive and hands-on training that focuses on
providing sustainable energy solutions. It will prepare graduates to analyze, operate, and control the systems
and equipment that are used to create a suitable thermal environment used by a wide range of buildings and
structures. Graduates will be able to analyze and recommend suitable renewable energy systems to not only
meet the needs of the user but also to be environmentally sound.

The program teaches students how to analyze energy usage for residential and commercial buildings,
recommend sustainable energy solutions for high-consumption structures, and recognize and correct
inefficient building energy systems. It provides an understanding of the basics of energy-efficient hot water
systems and photovoltaic (PV) and solar energy. “We teach the students in this program the best way to help
the energy industry is to not need as much in the first place,” Wilson says. “After you’ve done that, then a
lot of facilities want to look at augmenting that with renewable energy. But the focus on energy efficiency is
what can you do in a residential, industrial, or a commercial application to reduce waste and optimize those
systems.”

Renewable Energy Technology: This program focuses on the engineering behind current and emerging
technology. Each class in the curriculum is designed to give graduates a solid grounding in the fundamentals
of energy generation and transmission while also providing them with a broad background in engineering
technology. Graduates will be prepared to become engineering technicians with expertise across a page 3

broad range of renewable energy technology. Students learn how to apply theory and principles of engineering
technology in the real world and to perform diagnostic analysis. They will also learn to meet industry and
regulatory operating and safety standards within the engineering technology field.

Solar Energy Technology: This program prepares graduates for a career in the field of renewable energy with a
key focus on solar energy technology. Students receive a solid grounding in the fundamentals of the production
and transmission of clean energy using the radiation provided by the sun. State-of-the-art laboratories and
facilities give them the opportunity to directly apply to the real world the theory they are learning. Typical jobs
might include construction, installing or repairing solar energy systems, or working with architects or engineers
as they design and install solar projects. Students learn to operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair PV
equipment, including how to perform maintenance, repair, or replace parts to correct problems. Graduates will
be able to perform diagnostic analysis and meet industry standards within the rapidly expanding solar energy
field.

“After students learn about all the components of a solar installation, then they go outside to some buildings
on campus and actually install solar panels,” says Wilson. “They do all of the wiring, so by the time they
graduate from the solar program, they’ve had some experience in hands-on wiring and installation of panels
and components of a solar system.”

Wind Energy Technology: This program prepares graduates for careers in the field of renewable energy with
a strong focus on wind energy technology. The program will give graduates a solid grounding in fundamentals
while specializing in the generation and transmission of energy using wind power technology. State-of-the-art
laboratories and facilities give them the opportunity to apply in the real world the theory they learn in class.
Graduates will be prepared to become wind energy technicians.

Students learn how to evaluate new turbines and their readiness for operation and resolve early stage
electrical and mechanical faults. They also prepare to operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair a wind
turbine operation, including complicated mechanical and electrical problems on variable-pitch, variable-speed
turbines. They are trained to perform mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical component maintenance, repair, or
replacement of parts to correct problems while meeting industry standards within the wind energy field.

“In addition, graduates will understand the large picture of the wind industry,” says Wilson. “We give them a
good education on costs, financing, and rebates. All of those aspects of the renewable field they need to be
able to justify projects before they’re installed, so students get some classes in energy management and the
financial part of the business as well.”

Ecotech Institute Campus
Before it even opened its doors to students to study energy efficiency and renewable energy this past
summer, Ecotech Institute transformed a vacant commercial building into a cutting-edge training facility that
incorporates energy and resource savings throughout. The Ecotech Institute campus in Aurora, Colo., includes
labs and classroom facilities that include many sustainable components.

Ecotech has invested heavily in renewable technologies. All told, the campus will get more than 5% of its peak
load electricity from these wind and solar sources. All together, the renewable energy sources at Ecotech will
generate more than 65,000kWh of electricity annually. Renewable energy components of the school include:

• 12 polycrystalline rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels with a system capacity of 2.8kW.
• Integral thin solar technologies embedded into the glass front building canopy with a system capacity
of 9.4kW.
page 3

• Eight small, building-mounted wind turbines mounted on the roof will generate up to 4.8kW of
electricity.
• A wind turbine mounted in front of the building with a total capacity of 4kW.
• Two solar trees, each providing 16.9kW, will generate more than 50,000kWh per year of electricity.

Energy-efficient lighting will reduce lighting energy consumption by 30% below standard lighting energy levels.
Some of the methods of limiting the amount of energy used by lighting on campus include:

• Motion sensors combined with a programmed lighting schedule.
• Classroom and office lighting incorporate step-dimming options.

A measurement and verification system will provide real-time monitoring of the campus power, natural gas,
and water consumption. This information will be displayed in the lobby for visitor knowledge but will also
be recorded and used to determine further energy-saving possibilities in the future. Finally, the campus will
include four electric vehicle charging stations, capable of delivering a full vehicle charge in two to four hours.

page 3

A Site for Energy Education | Michael Seifert
March 1, 2011

Ecotech Institute launches a first of its
kind campus devoted to renewable energy
education, with a special emphasis on
preparing students to enter the wind
industry.

A brand new 62,000 square-foot campus
has opened its doors in the Denver metro
area, changing the face of wind, solar, and
renewable energy education in America.
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college
entirely focused on preparing America’s
workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design, and the facility is sure to spark interest in
these fields.

The architectural team was led by Ecotech’s parent company, Education Corporation of America, and
Alabama-based Rob Walker Architects. They successfully transformed a vacant, large-footprint building into a
progressive campus. The building is home to 30 classrooms, 12 state of the art computer and science labs (e.g.
electrical, wiring, solar, wind safety, controls and environmental science), studios, student and faculty lounges,
a library, and a variety of other amenities.

Site Selection
Education Corporation of America is often focused on selecting campus sites where they can make a positive
impact on a neighborhood. Empty buildings are often an eyesore and can impact neighboring businesses. In
this case, an old Amazing Jake’s family fun center was the previous tenant. Once transformed, new traffic,
additional consumers and a pleasing appearance will continue to yield positive results. Figure 1

“We were focused on changing the empty commercial building into a community asset that is sustainable,
functional, and attractive to its neighbors,” says Celeste Prestenbach, vice president, facilities planning and
new campus development at the Education Corporation of America.

Focus on Wind Energy
Although there are energy and resource savings throughout the sustainable design of the building, a major
component of the building and the school’s curriculum is wind energy. To support Ecotech’s commitment to
wind, the front of the building is adorned with eight small wind turbines mounted on the roof to generate up
to 4.8 kilowatts of electricity. In addition, a vertical axis wind turbine was installed to generate a total capacity
of 4 kilowatts.

One unique component is a wind safety lab. The square room is simple, yet revolutionary. The 771 square-foot
lab has a 20-foot ladder leading up to an 8x8 platform. This is where Ecotech instructors will teach page 0

wind safety techniques and practices. The students will be using the actual harnesses that would be used to
go up and down a real wind turbine, helping simulate this significant element of a career as a wind technician.
“This wind lab is the first of its kind, offering students a glimpse into a career where physical activity and safety
are critical,” says Glenn Wilson, academic dean of students at Ecotech Institute. Figure 2

To carry the wind theme from the outside to the inside, ECA’s in-house interior design team integrated the
shape and form of the wind turbine blades into the front gallery of the building through the repetition of a
similar curve along the walls. This is more evident from a plan view of the interior. In addition to wind elements
the building incorporates a variety of solar aspects, as well, including: 12 polycrystalline rooftop photovoltaic
solar panels with a system capacity of 2.8 kilowatts; integral thin solar technologies embedded into the glass
of the front building canopy with a capacity of 9.4 kilowatts; and two solar trees, each providing 16.9 kilowatts
of electricity, which will generate over 50,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity. All told, the campus will
get more than 5 percent of its peak load electricity from wind and solar sources and will generate over 65,000
kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

Additional Energy Savings
Another key component of the campus is its rigorous energy savings and demand side management processes
that will cut demand significantly. Some examples include demand control ventilation to modulate ventilation
based upon occupancy levels in classrooms. This will dramatically reduce the cooling/heating during partially
occupied periods. All rooftop air conditioning equipment will have economizers to provide 100 percent
outside air during ideal outdoor conditions for cooling, and energy efficient lighting will reduce lighting
energy consumption by 30 percent below standard lighting energy levels. In addition, a measurement and
verification system provides real time monitoring of the campus power, natural gas, and water consumption.
This information will be displayed in the lobby for visitor knowledge, but will also be recorded and used to
determine further energy saving possibilities in the future.

The building also incorporates water and lighting efficiencies. For instance, motion sensors combined with a
programmed lighting schedule limit the amount of time lighting stays on when rooms are unoccupied. The
campus also includes four electric car charging stations, capable of delivering a full vehicle charge in two to
four hours. The campus embraces the institute’s core concerns: exceptional education and commitment to the
environment. Figure 3

Ecotech Institute launched its first round of classes in July 2010 in a temporary facility and the third quarter
commenced January 10, 2011 in the new facility with almost 200 students enrolled.

Why Colorado?
Ecotech Institute chose to launch its first location in Colorado for many reasons, including its location,
entrepreneurial culture, and passion for green job growth. Colorado’s culture, natural beauty, and green-
leaning attitude fosters greener lifestyles, education, and careers. The campus is strategically located to serve
workforce development throughout the Rocky Mountain region, one of the country’s fastest growing areas for
renewable energy.

In 2009, the Colorado Governor’s Energy office, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and Clean
Energy Funds directed by the state legislature, spent over $25.2 million in fiscal year 2009, with 9 percent, or
$2,268,000, directed to renewable energy and sustainability projects.

In 2010, the State Legislature voted to increase the Renewable Energy Standard to a “Best in the West” 30
percent by 2020. The new law will create thousands of clean-energy jobs, further diversify Colorado’s overall
energy portfolio and lead to 100,000 solar rooftops over the next decade.
page 1

Colorado is also home to public and private institutions that are creating innovation and employment. The
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado School of
Mines, and Colorado State University created the collaboratory in 2007 to research and develop new, cleaner
energy technologies. Figure 4

In wind alone, Colorado makes the grade in national rankings. In 2009 Colorado ranked ninth in wind
projects installations by state, adding 178 MW of wind power, ranked eighth in installed wind capacity and
eleventh in wind resources. Not only is Colorado a fantastic place to live and work, its culture lends itself to
Ecotech’s mission: when you live in a state than appreciates natural beauty, it helps people to understand the
importance of sustainability.

What’s Wind’s Future?
According to “Clean Tech Job Trends 2010,” three clean tech categories in particular held their ground as the
dominant innovative leaders throughout 2009, based upon number of patents granted: solar (at approximately
31 percent), wind (at approximately 19 percent) and hybrid vehicles (at approximately 15 percent).

In the report “Green Collar Jobs in the U.S. and Colorado” (2009) by Roger Bezdek, principal investigator,
Management Information Services, Inc., for the American Solar Energy Society, U.S. renewable energy and
energy efficiency (REEE) industries are creating jobs faster than other leading industries. Figure 5

It stated that “In 2007, the U.S. REEE industries generated more than $1 trillion in sales and created more
than 9 million jobs—including $10.3 billion in sales and more than 91,000 jobs in Colorado. U.S. REEE
revenues represent substantially more than the combined 2007 sales of the three largest U.S. corporations—
Wal-Mart, ExxonMobil, and General Motors ($905 billion). REEE industries are growing faster than the
average U.S. industry and comprise some of the most rapidly growing industries in the world, including wind,
photovoltaics (PV), fuel cells, recycling/remanufacturing, and biofuels.”

In 2009, the Executive Office of the President, Council of Economic Advisors, published a report “Preparing the
Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow.” Here are a few of its findings:
• Jobs devoted to environmental improvement grew far faster than other occupations from 2000-2006
and the BLS projects fast relative growth through 2016;
• There are growing opportunities in these fields, particularly for workers with technical skills;
• CEA analysis suggests that particular areas of “green” potential (e.g., wind and turbine manufacturing,
mass transit, or producing energy-efficient automobiles) pay more on average than otherwise
comparable jobs. They also are more likely to be held by primary earners in the household and to be
unionized;
• Well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby
fueling American prosperity. Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to
grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among
occupations that require an associate’s degree or a post-secondary vocational award.

Lastly, the research “U.S. Metro Economies: Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy” (2008),
prepared by Global Insight for The United States Conference of Mayors and the Mayors Climate Protection
Center, published some interesting insights about the wind industry.

The report states that “The bulk of jobs related to wind infrastructure will come in the manufacturing of
equipment. The technology of wind electricity is relatively new, but the manufacturing base for its production
is very similar to past products. Every state in the country has firms and a labor force with experience making
products similar to the blades, gearboxes, brakes, hubs, cooling fans, couplings, drives, cases, bearings,
generators, towers, and sensors that make up a wind tower.” page 2

“These jobs fall into the familiar durable manufacturing sectors of plastics and rubber, primary metals,
fabricated metal products, machinery, computer and electronic products, and electrical equipment. Cities
across the country have the capacity to attract job growth in these important manufacturing sectors along the
nation’s path to a new energy infrastructure.”

page 3

March 2, 2011
Ecotech Institute Applauds Colorado for its Leadership in the Cleantech Industry

I recently came across a fantastic report published by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation.
The report evaluates Colorado’s energy industry in two subclusters: (1) fossil fuels and (2) cleantech, which
includes companies that use renewable energy sources and materials such as solar, wind, biomass and green
transportation.

Of course, as president of Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely dedicated to renewable energy
and sustainable design, I was thrilled with the cleantech statistics in the state we call home.

Because the report is so robust, this recap is truly an opportunity to call out data and facts that illustrate why
Colorado is a hub for cleantech activity, where thousands of jobs and a promising future in the green landscape
exist. It’s great to see that government funding, public policy and private industry are all supporting Colorado’s
growth as a leader in the cleantech space.

Below I have highlighted some great statistics and have pulled bulleted information verbatim from the report.
To download the full report to get more details on the bright future of the Colorado cleantech industry, visit:
http://www.metrodenver.org/industries-companies/industries/energy.html.

JOBS
Colorado is a leader in the cleantech subcluster and has seen a large jump in the number of related jobs. In
fact, while cleantech jobs increased nationally by about 10 percent in the last five years, that number soared to
more than 30 percent in Colorado. Much of that growth was in wind and solar energy companies.

Key findings:

• The cleantech subcluster directly employed about 19,420 people in Colorado in 2010.
• With nearly 54,100 energy workers in approximately 3,570 companies in 2010, the state continues to
position itself as a hub of energy industry activity in both the fossil fuels and cleantech sectors.
• About 1,600 cleantech companies operated in Colorado in 2010.
• The number of Colorado cleantech companies increased 9.6 percent between 2005 and 2010,
compared with 4.2 percent growth nationally.
• According to Headwaters Economics, the number of cleantech jobs in Colorado increased 30 percent
from 1995 to 2007, or about 17,000 jobs. The study cited more than $796 million in venture capital
investments that bolstered Colorado’s green economy between 1999 and 2008.

NEW COMPANIES
In 2010, more than a dozen companies chose Colorado as the place to develop new wind and solar projects.
According to a study by professors at Arizona State University, Colorado ranked as the second-most attractive
location for businesses hoping to export solar power. When it comes to wind, Colorado is one of six states
that generate more than five percent of total electricity from wind, according to the American Wind Energy
page
Association.

Some of the wind company announcements in 2010 include:

• Vestas Technology RD located a research and development center in Louisville. The new center
focuses on improving wind turbine efficiency and reducing energy costs and will employ engineers,
scientists, and support staff.
• New York-based American Zephyr Corp. relocated its distribution, sales, and support center to
Louisville. Within the next few years, the company plans to manufacture all of its wind turbine parts
locally, rather than importing its parts from outside the U.S.
• Broomfield-based Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Americas unveiled plans for a windpower complex
in eastern Colorado. Located in Lincoln and Elbert Counties, the Cedar Point Wind Project will be the
second-largest wind farm in the state and will use Vestas wind turbines for the project. The finished
project should generate enough energy to power 68,000 homes.
• Vestas will expand its U.S. presence when it opens its second blade factory in Brighton in 2011. The
Windsor blade factory opened in March 2008, followed by the nacelle factory in Brighton and the
world’s largest tower factory in Pueblo in 2010. Combined, the four manufacturing facilities, which
are located on three campuses in Brighton, Windsor, and Pueblo, represent an investment of about
$1 billion in the state since 2007. The company plans to double its workforce in the next year to fulfill
turbine order demands and expand annual production capacity. In addition, Vestas announced a $2.5
million, 80-acre expansion to the company’s Windsor manufacturing facility that will serve as storage
space for wind blades.

Some of the solar company new announcements in 2010 include:

• SMA Solar Technology AG, the largest solar inverter manufacturer in the world, was named “Deal of the
Year” award winner in 2010 by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. The Germany-
based company was recognized for its significant economic impact to the region through capital
investment and job creation. In 2010, the company hired 200 workers at its northeast Denver plant and
could add up to 500 more positions by the end of 2011.
• North Carolina-based power company Cogentrix Energy LLC plans to build the world’s largest
concentrated photovoltaic power plant north of Alamosa. The 225-acre power facility will utilize lens-
based technology that could power up to 6,500 homes.
• SkyFuel, Inc. relocated its corporate headquarters from Albuquerque to Arvada. The company’s
parabolic solar power collector research and development center is already located in Jefferson County
and the company cited its proximity to National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Colorado’s growing
cleantech environment as key factors in their location decision.
• California-based SunPower Corp. and Colorado Springs Utility are building a 6-MW solar Power facility
at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The 30-acre project is slated for completion by 2011.

FUNDING
Colorado continues to be a hub for energy-related venture capital and ranks as one of the top five states in
terms of capital generated for energy-related projects.

• Through 2010, federal stimulus support designated more than $768 million to Colorado for energy
efficiency and renewable energy projects, including funding for energy tax incentives for individuals and
businesses in Colorado through the State Energy Program.
• The combination of Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard of 30 percent by 2020 and production
tax credits demonstrates Colorado’s commitment to renewable energy technology development and
research. Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter unveiled the Governor’s Energy Office Revolving Loan
Program and the Green Colorado Credit Reserve Program, both stimulus-funded loan programs aimed
page

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