Location:  The Orange County Campus at Durham Tech, 525 College Park Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Durham Technical Community College’s Orange County Campus is highlighting its new Sustainability Technologies program on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. − 2 p.m. Area residents have the opportunity to learn more about this new program. They can also view solar technology demonstrations and displays and talk to solar technology professionals. 

(left) Solar panels at the Orange County Campus are used for instruction and for reducing the college's energy costs. 

Highlights include the following:

• See mobile solar technology displays provided by locally owned solar installation companies including Solar Hot USA, Strata Solar, Southern-Energy Management, and Sun Dogs Solutions;
• Participate in 30-minute workshops led by Durham Tech instructors on topics related to sustainability and renewable energy;
  • 11:30 a.m. Reducing Energy Use
  • 12:30 p.m. Sustainable System Cost
  • 1:30 p.m. Solar Site Analysis
    
• Tour the Sustainability Technologies classrooms and labs and the state-of-the-art Orange County Campus;
• Enjoy live music from local high school bands with the amplification system powered by solar energy (11 a.m. Duplicators, noon Completely Off Balance, and 1 p.m. Above Gravity);
• Learn about the new Sustainability Technologies credit program at the Orange County Campus;
• Find out how to apply for financial aid and admissions for Fall Semester 2011 courses; and
• Enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Captain Poncho's Tacos and Will & Pop's.

Beginning this fall, the program will offer the Solar Photovoltaic certificate and the Renewable Energy diploma:

• The Solar Photovoltaic certificate is designed for licensed electricians, those pursuing an electrical degree, and those who are working in facilities services under the supervision of an electrician. The certificate instruction includes both energy use analysis and solar photovoltaic system installation. 
  
  
• The NEW Renewable Energy diploma includes electrical and math courses for students without previous electrical experience. The diploma program will include work experience with a local company. The Renewable Energy diploma may be completed in five semesters.
  

For more information, contact Carlo Robustelli at 919-536-7238, ext. 4202, or robustec@durhamtech.edu.

Funding for Durham Tech's Sustainability Program has been made possible through the Duke Energy Community and Technical College Grant Program. Duke Energy has recognized that even though the Carolinas have top-rated community and technical college systems, budgetary constraints present a challenge for them. Duke Energy's Community and Technical College Grant Program provides a financial boost that helps enable college systems to extend their expertise, to provide rewarding opportunities for students, and ultimately, to help revitalize manufacturing in the Carolinas.