Curriculum
The Academy will continually update courses and text books. Students may expect that course descriptions and texts may be revised at any time in any section of the curricula. For this reason, textbooks and course materials will only be assigned 12 calendar months.
All courses are the equivalent of 3 units unless otherwise noted.
All courses listed are compulsory for students.

Final Papers
A final project is required of each student and a standard proposal must be submitted for each paper.
Both the proposal and the paper are mandatory; course numbers have been assigned for transcript purposes only and are not meant to imply an elective status.
Final papers must be original works and must be written either concurrent to coursework or subsequent to course work.

Scholastic Requirements
1. Grading System

Grade Definition Grade Point Scale
A Excellent 12
B Above average 9
C Passing 6
F Failure 0

2. Re-take examinations: Students who failed in an examination must retake the examination. A passing grade is required before a student graduates from the Academy.

3. Final examinations are required for all courses. 50% of any course grade is determined by the final examination grade. The other 50% is determined by practical laboratory and workshop experiments.

Transcripts
1. Transcripts may be issued on an interim basis as well as a final basis. Students and graduates must request transcripts in writing from the Office of the Registrar, at the Academy’s Administrative Offices. Please allow three weeks from the date the Academy receives this request.
2. Only the first transcript issued, either interim or final, is at no cost to the student. All successive transcripts will be issued at a cost to be determined by the school, payable at the time of request.

Courses

Introduction to Renewable Energy
This course will introduce and teach students the practical uses of solar, wind and water power. The on-hand workshops and laboratories will give each student the necessary knowledge and skills to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems and to build state-of –the-art solar homes that are efficient and practical while utilizing the sun’s energy. Overall, students and especially homeowners who desire to become their own companies by generating electricity with renewable energy shall be well equipped to do so.
This course will introduce, wind, and micro-hydro systems to students and homeowners who want to become their own utility companies by generating electricity with renewable energy.

Topics
Solar, Wind and Hydro Site analysisResidential RE System Sizing
PV, Wind and Hydro Equipment
Controllers, Batteries, Inverters
Efficient Appliances
Demonstration Lab Exercises
Tours of Local Systems

The Politics of Energy
Students will study the history of electricity, energy supply structure, policy issues, global impacts of energy, and the production and use of energy sources.

Topics
A Timeline of Electricity
Production and externalities Associated with Coal, Oil, Gas, Nuclear, and Renewables
Federal and Municipal Energy companies, Rural Electric Cooperatives, and Independent Power Providers
Energy and War

Renewable Energy for the Developing World
This course will include classroom sessions and labs, and will have a strong hands-on component. The course will focus on three main areas: Solar electricity, solar hot water, and solar cooking. There will also be a survey covering wind and hydro-electric systems, and social and financial issues surrounding RE in the developing world. Students will explore different applications for renewable energy technologies in developing countries. They will learn how to successfully accomplish sustainable development projects with renewable energy. Effective technology transfer method will be presented, as well as setting infrastructure and the economics and financing of renewable energy projects. Case studies will be presented on solar cooking, rural household electrification, appropriate building technologies, rural health care and micro-enterprises utilizing renewable energy.

Topics
Design and Installation of simple solar electric systems
Installation of a small PV lighting system
Solar Hot Water, including construction and installation of solar water heater
Solar cooking, including, building simple cookers and cooking dishes
Other renewable energy technologies and issues
Solar cooking& Food drying
Solar water distillation
Solar electricity for rural development
PV for rural health care
Technology transfer
Financing Household Solar Energy
Micro-enterprises
Integrating women into RE projects
Procuring funding
Case studies

Photovoltaic Design & Installation
Students who enrolled in this course will learn how to use PV (photovoltaic) technology to produce their own electricity from the sun through practical design and installation of PV Systems. Students learn system sizing, site analysis, hardware specification and component selection. Students will also learn typical applications by using case study examples, as well as, learn how to install an operational system in the field and learn the proper use of tools and safety precautions. The focus of this course is for the beginner who wants to use PV or for those seeking employment in the solar industry.

Topics
Home Applications
Basics of electricity
Solar site Analysis
PV System components
Energy Efficient Appliances
PV System Sizing
Component Specification
Electrical Wiring
Safety Procedures
Solar Water Pumping
Applications
Operation and Maintenance

Advanced Photovoltaic
With this course students will develop an in-depth understanding and skills in the design, installation and maintenance of photovoltaic systems. In order to enroll in this course first the student must have completed the Institute’s PV Design & Installation. Guest Instructors will cover building integrated photovoltaic, new technologies and more. This course will focus mainly on case studies highlighting system designs for code compliance and commercial applications. This course will be useful for people who are currently employed in or plan to be employed in the PV industry.

Topics
Installation Safety
Commercial Applications
PV Software Programs
Building Integrated PV
National Electric Code
Lightning Protection
Battery Technology
Utility-Interactive Systems
Hybrid Systems

Utility Interactive Systems
This course invites students to study the requirements for providing power to the utility grid. By the completion of this course, students will install a complete and operational system.

Topics
Safety
System Sizing
Temperature Issues
Costs & Incentives
Mounting Options
Batteries versus no batteries
Utility-Interactive & Public Power Supply

Solar Water Pumping
This course will cover pumping terminologies, PV modules, system sizing, and component selection. It includes pump descriptions and comparisons with information on trackers, linear current boosters, and other associated equipment. This course will include laboratory exercises on pressure, storage, drip and spray irrigation systems.

Topics
Pressure
Storage
Drip and spray irrigation systems

Solar Hot Water
Students will learn how to design and install residential sized solar domestic hot water systems.

Topics
Safety Considerations
Passive Batch Water Heaters
Closed Loop Antifreeze Systems
PV Powered Pump Systems
Domestic and Space Heating
Pool Heating
Mounting Strategies
Maintenance
Lessons Learned
Tours of Working Systems

Solar Home Design
This course focuses on how to build energy efficient, sustainable homes. During this course, students will learn up-to-date strategies for sustainable new home construction and remodels. Natural building (earth and straw construction) will be presented along with case studies of progressive building projects.
The Institute’s goal is to introduce students to design and construction principles that are cost effective, aesthetically beautiful and sustainable. Today’s high performance solar homes can be energy efficient, healthy to live in and free from pollution.
Students will learn how to avoid the mistakes of the past when designing passive solar/natural home.

Topics
Lesson Learned
Design Principles
Heat Transfer
Building Science
Envelope Options
Super Insulation
Super Windows
Solar Site Analysis
“Green” Building
Passive Solar
Healthy Homes
Solar Hot Water
Electrical Independence
Natural House Building

Wind Power
Students will learn about solar/wind hybrids and utility-tied systems. They will also learn how to design and install commercial wind generator systems, such as, wind turbines, the advantages and disadvantages of each. This course covers system sizing, site analysis, safety issues and hardware specification. Students will also obtain hands-on experience working with full-size wind systems. This course also discusses solar/wind hybrids and utility-tied systems.

Topics
Safety Considerations
Aerodynamics
Generators
Alternators
Determining Wind Speed
Tower Design
Site Analysis
System Sizing
Energy Storage
Legal Issues
Solar Hybrid Systems

Homebuilt Wind Generators
The course will guide students through the process of building a small wind turbine.
The students will gain hand-on experience carving wooden blades, winding coils, wiring, and fabricating a complete wind turbine. The size of the turbine built in this course will determine the wattage of electricity generated in normal to higher winds. Students will learn how to adapt this and other designs for other voltages, and how to scale the design concepts up or down to meet their needs. All classroom sessions will be followed by workshop sessions.

Topics
Designing and carving wooden blades
Alternator theory and design
Winding coils
Fitting magnets into homebuilt alternators
Governing systems
Yaw and tail design & construction
Wiring & fabrication
Construction details

Micro-Hydro Power
This course will teach students how to design a fully functional micro-hydro system. They will learn site evaluation and sizing, including how to measure and estimates head and flow. Students will perform preliminary mechanical and electrical power generation of 50-watt to 100-kilowatt capacities. The course will include field exercises and tours of operational systems.

Topics
Safety Procedures
System Components
Turbine Types
AC and DC Systems
System Design
Battery Storage
Controls
Troubleshooting
Maintenance
Hybrid Systems
Case Studies.

Renewable Fuels
Students will learn the fundamentals of creating a renewable fuels economy. The course will cover types of renewable fuels and alternative transportation. Experts from the field will discuss how one can move from a gasoline economy, and rely less on petroleum. Students will learn how a bio-diesel vehicle, electric vehicle, and other forms of alternative transportation work.

Topics
Safety
Biodiesel
Straight Vegetable Oil Conversion
Ethanol
Compressed Natural Gas
Biogas for Gasoline Engines
Bio Motor Oil
Hydrogen Vehicles
Electric Vehicles
Solar Electric Vehicles / Racers
Compressed Air Vehicles
Recumbent Human / Electric Vehicles

Biodiesel Fuel
Students will learn the fundamentals of this alternative fuel source that can be used in any diesel engine. Students will make bio-diesel fuel with locally available materials and learn how to make a bio-diesel processor to make their own bio-diesel. The workshop will also examine and discuss the emerging world bio-diesel markets.

Topics
Safe bio-diesel production
Making and using bio-diesel in both small and large-scale applications
Conversion of diesel engines to run off diesel fuel, bio-diesel, and straight vegetable oil.
Materials needed to make a small scale bio-diesel processor.
Advances in Bio-diesel technology
Legislation and grassroots initiatives
Discussions with experts in the bio-diesel field

Revision: Selected Topics in Renewable Energy
Topics for PV-hybrid and Off-grid systems
1. Decentralized electricity supply: the Chinese Brightness Program
2. Hybrid electricity supply systems in Europe
3. Solar radiation, resource and site analysis
4. Photovoltaic cells and Photovoltaic modules
5. Loads for decentralized electricity systems: power demand and type of loads
6. DC/AC inverters: operating principles, efficiencies, specifications
7. Energy storage in electricity supply systems – the lead acid battery
8. Battery operation and battery lifetime
9. Charge controllers: operating principles, specifications
10. Back-up electricity renewable energy systems: the diesel generator set
11. Wind energy: resource and site analysis
12. Working principles, design and operation of wind turbines
13. Design principles for PV/wind hybrid power systems
14. Maintenance and troubleshooting on wind turbines
15. Installation of PV/wind hybrid systems
16. Electric safety and village grid layout
17. Maintenance and troubleshooting on PV/wind hybrid systems
18. Technical management and socio-economic aspects of PV/wind hybrid systems and village grids
19. Economic analysis of renewable energy for rural electrification

Topics of Modules on social and socio-economic integration
1.1 Analysis and assessment of regional and local context
1.1.1 Analysis of energy needs
1.1.2 Survey of social and socio-economic data
1.1.3 Transfer of local cultural information into a code of practice

1.2 Construction of a financial concept
1.2.1 Design of transparent payment schemes that will be accepted by the users
1.2.2 The match of payment schemes with organization for operation
1.2.3 Awareness of organizational problems concerning regular payments

1.3 Promotion / Introduction concept
1.3.1 Improvement of promotional activities
1.3.2 Planning of promotion strategies
1.3.3 Optimal communication policy

1.4 Training for end users and local technicians
1.4.1 Practice of pedagogical methods
1.4.2 Development of training concept for illiterate people
1.4.3 Handling of cultural problems

1.5 Monitoring and Evaluation
1.5.1 Monitoring & evaluation of the project’s progress and results
1.5.2 Assessment of critical non-technical parameters, e.g. user satisfaction
1.5.3 The application of monitoring and evaluation results for optimization

Topics for fundamentals of PV
General Topics
Introduction to energy policies and markets
Environmental impact and abatement of pollutant emissions
Fundamentals of solar energy use
Solar cell technologies and their properties
PV modules and PV generators
Power inverters for photovoltaic systems
General concepts of photovoltaic power supply systems
Electrical safety, construction regulations, lightning protection
Organizations, donors, promotion institutions and associations
Socio-economic misconceptions, barriers and opportunities

Topics on grid connected photovoltaic systems
Photovoltaic commerce and practice in solar business
Quality Control and Safeguarding Energy Production (Monitoring)
Computer Simulation and design software for grid connected photovoltaic systems
Grid connection: legislative and financial factors
Application: large free-standing and small retrofit installations, including installation and operation
Application: Integrated PV in new building design
Application: Integration of distributed PV systems into low and medium voltage utility grids as virtual power plants

Off-grid and autonomous power supply systems
Stand alone electricity power supply with photovoltaic power
Additional power generators for hybrid systems (rotating shaft machines)
Fuel cell as power generator in PV hybrids
Electrical energy storage (general considerations)
Lead-acid batteries: design, ageing, charging strategies, charge controllers, and battery management
Computer added design and simulation of photovoltaic systems
Economic life-cycle analysis
Socio-economic barriers in rural electrification and how to overcome them
Applications-Industrial applications, service devices and telecommunications
Applications-Remote electrification with solar home systems, hybrid systems and mini-grids for mountain areas, islands and developing and emerging countries
Applications-Photovoltaic water pumping & water treatment

Doing RE business in Europe
Instructor: Florian Meyer-Delpho

(a) Solar energy in Europe: Political situation, Development and Business opportunities

(b) Country analysis: German, French Italian, Spanish Markets

(c) Solar thermal markets in Europe
(d) Typical business procedure
(e) Difficulties and specialties in Solar thermal sales and Marketing in Europe

(f) PV markets in Europe
(g) Typical business procedure
(h) Difficulties and specialties in PV deals in Europe

(i) Other important RE sectors in Europe:
1 Biomass, pellets
2 Wind energy
3 Tidal and wave energy

(j) How to do business in Europe:
Cultural differences in Germany, Spain and England

Economics of Energy Systems
Instructor: Prof. Dr.Martin Meyer-Renschhausen
FH-Darmstadt; Studiengang Energiewirtschaft

I. Energy Markets and Energy Policy (35)

A) Basic Concepts (15)
- Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium
- Government Interventions in markets and their impacts
- Cost Concepts
- Profit maximisation of competitive markets and monopoly
- Natural monopoly and it’s regulation

B) Exhaustible Resources (7)
- Economic theory of exhaustible resources
- Economic explanation of world oil markets
- Economic explanation of world coal markets
- Environmental Cost of fossil fuel production, conversion and consumption

C) Electric Power Systems (6)
- Survey of electric power systems
- Power system planning
- Liberalized power markets and regulation

D) Global, Ecological and Economic Aspects of Energy Demand and Supply (7)
- Projections of future world energy demand and supply
- Energy paths
- Creating a sustainable energy future
- Kyoto protocol and Kyoto mechanism
- national approaches for increased energy efficiency
- national approaches for promoting renewable energies

II. Economic Analysis and Financing of Energy Projects (20)

A. Economic Analysis of Energy Projects (17)
- Introduction to project analysis
- Basic concepts: Present value, net present value, annuities
- Inflation
- Risk and uncertainty
- Taxation
- Case studies

B. Financing Energy Investments (3)
- Domestic and external financing
- The role of the world bank and other international donor agencies

Self-Sustainable Projects
Canning and preservation of local food products
Jam & peanut butter making
Food preservation
Making soft drinks from local materials
Solar Refrigerating
General Welding
Electrical Wiring
Generator Repair
Fish harvesting, preservation and packaging: Solar refrigeration & solar dryers

Entrepreneur
The Entrepreneur Program at the Academy offers students the basic practical considerations and applications of the discipline in topical areas chosen to enhance capabilities and improve career potential.

Small Business
PR BUS 1 Business Ideas
Students will learn how to identify their entrepreneurial strengths and weaknesses, and how to tell whether a business idea is a viable one. The students will get help analyzing themselves as business owners/managers. They will also get help evaluating their business ideas. The y will learn the 20 traits important to entrepreneurial success. There will lots of interactive discussion to give students chance to ask questions and to address individual concerns and goals.

PR BUS 2 Building Blocks for Small Business Success
Students will learn what building blocks are essential for a thriving business? Topics for discussion include small business management issues, developing business concepts, identifying market niche, alternative legal structures, naming a business, business goals and strategies, product and service concepts, customer profiling, promotion and advertising, competition and pricing, and financial/tax considerations

PR BUS 3 What Makes a Business Plan Bankable
Students will discover how to develop a customized business plan that will satisfy the banking community when applying for a loan. They will learn how to gather information needed and how to format the plan tool and worksheets provided in class. The instructor will create a sample plan in class and review it step by step. Students will draft business plans of their own and have the opportunity to discuss its components and ask questions.

PR BUS 4 Practical Marketing for Small Business
Students will learn how to develop an effective marketing plan for business. There will be discussions about the difference between the internal and external factors affecting marketing; how to gather and evaluate marketing data; how to develop marketing strategies; how to choose most effective advertising venues and tools; and how to develop sales and financial projections.

PR BUS 5 Networking
In this class students will learn strategies for making connections with people in the community and how those connections can improve nearly every aspect of professional life. Students will analyze their own networking styles. Interactive role playing in class will the students opportunity to try different techniques and see what works best.

PR BUS 6 Buying a Business
The students will learn the two alternatives for starting a business: starting from scratch and buying and existing business. Buying an existing business has fewest risks and, in some instances, costs less to get started.

PR BUS 7 Accounting/Record-keeping for Small Business
A certified public accountant will show the students how to maintain records for particular business needs. They will learn how to apply for necessary licenses and tax identification numbers, maintain effective books for their businesses, and differentiate between independent contractors and employees.

PR BUS 8 Financial Planning for Entrepreneurs
This course will explore a number of programs designed specifically for the self-employed and small business owner, including retirement planning, tax strategies, insurance, benefit packages, etc.

PR BUS 9 Proposal Writing
This is a practical hands-on workshop that will show the business owner or would-be business owner how to plan, organize, and write winning proposals. This course is ideal for the individual seeking government contracts. The skills learned can be applied to local, state and foreign proposal writing.

Advanced Business Studies

BUS 10 Introduction to Business
Nigerian business, from origin to current interaction with international business world. Topics include: social responsibility, leadership, production, operations management, computers, information management, and principles of management, business organization concepts, human resource management, worker motivation, marketing, retailing, product distribution, advertising, promotion, finance and investment.

BUS 11 Business communications
Key issues of written business communications. Effective ways to write letters and reports using current technology. Effective use of graphics aids, physical presentations of reports and letters, communication etiquette, public speaking, oral reporting and other forms of oral communication.

BUS 12 Management Principles
An introduction to the four main management functions: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Includes an historical review of managerial thought as well as look into the manager of the future.

BUS 13 Computers and Information Processing
An introduction to microcomputers. Emphasis on effective use of software and hardware. Includes word processing, spreadsheets and database management packages. Processing units, input/output devices, and storage and communications devices. Systems software, languages and applications.

BUS 14 Accounting I
Introduction to the procedures, terms, theories, and practical applications of proprietorship, partnership, and corporate accounting. Topics include: adjusting and closing accounts, preparing financial statements, assets, liabilities, internal control, investments, receivables, and payroll accounting.

BUS 15 Accounting II
Introduction to concepts and recordings of corporate accounting data. An understanding of such will assist a manager in planning and controlling the firm’s cost. Topics include: all corporate securities, job order and process cost accounting, budgeting, departmental accounting, retained earnings, stock investments in other corporations, interpretation and analysis of financial statements.

BUS 16 Entrepreneurship
Introduction to the role and nature of entrepreneurship as a mechanism for creating new ventures and affecting economic development. Topics include: characteristics of entrepreneurs, development and use of a business plan, financing mechanisms, franchising, acquisitions, and internationalizing the venture.

BUS 520 Small Business Management
Introduction to the opportunities, benefits, and challenges of smaller business management. Topics include: risk assessment, planning and organizing the business, selecting and managing employees, operating the enterprise, marketing goods and services, financial planning and control, and security measures for the small business.

BUS 525 Introduction to Economics
Fundamental economic principles applied to a wide range of real-world problems. Developing and understanding the market form of economic organization. Topics include: demand and supply, production and cost functions, unemployment, and national income accounting.

BUS 535 Business Forecasting
Principles of business forecasting methods. Topics include: a review of basic concepts in statistics, correlation and regression analysis, time series, and economic forecasting models.

BUS 500 Principles of Marketing
Modern marketing concepts based on medium and small business. Topics include: product planning, pricing, promotion, and placement.

BUS 510 Organization and Behavior
The primary concepts of organization behavior theory are presented and reviewed. The behaviors and interactions of the individual, group and organization are discussed to enhance the understanding of the complex inter-relationships of these components and how they affect organizational management.

BUS 520 Business Law
Legal concepts as applicable to the business environment. Topics include: contractual law, torts, product liability, bankruptcy, legal forms of business, and employment law.

BUS 501 Introduction to Financial Management
Financial concepts in the management of business organizations. Topics include: financial analysis and planning, cash flow, risk, cost of capital, working capital management, capital investment decision and valuation.

BUS 510 Business and Economic Statistics
Statistical techniques used in analyzing and solving problems encountered in business organizations. Techniques include applications in the areas of organizing and presenting statistical data, descriptive statistical analysis, discrete and continuous probability distributions, sampling, and statistical hypothesis testing.

BUS 521 International Marketing
Marketing function in international business. Emphasis on presenting cultural, tactical and strategic management approaches to global marketing. Topics include: global environments that affect marketing, marketing research, promotion strategies, sales issues, international distribution, export trade mechanics and financial requirements for global marketing.

BUS 530 Business and Society
Ethical and strategic considerations of the role of business in a societal context from a managerial perspective. Topics include: corporate social responsibility, the stakeholder management concept, fundamentals of business ethics, business and government regulation, and owners and employees rights.

BUS 580. The final Project Proposal
The student will choose a pre-approved topic within the field of business or renewable energy which is of sufficient dimension and depth to write a final project (research paper) of 75 pages minimum length. The proposal is based on a standard academic format and is subject to the quality standards of the Faculty Review Committee. Full guidelines and instructions will be supplied to the student at the appropriate time in their course program.

BUS 590 The Final Project (9 Units)
The student will write a final project (research paper) on a pre-approved topic within the field of business or renewable energy. The final project will be an extension of the final project proposal, and will consist of a minimum of 120 type written pages excluding tables, figures, appendices, etc. Full guidelines and instructions will be supplied to the student at the appropriate time in their course program.