Wind Power Foundations

This wind power training course is self paced, and most students finish in 4-6 weeks. The total time is about 40-60 hours. You can do the course work whenever you wish, day or night. An expert Wind Power Instructor is available to help you with your questions. Topics include Wind measurements and instrumentation, Power and Energy calculations, characteristics of the wind resource, Utility Interconnection (grid-tied systems), Applications of Small & Medium Wind Turbines, Installation & Maintenance of Towers, Economics of Wind Energy, Planning & Permitting, and Safety.

Who is the course for?

Anyone who wants to learn how electricity is made from the wind.

When's class?

This wind power training course is self paced, and most students finish in 4-6 weeks. The total time is about 40-60 hours. You can do the course work whenever you wish, day or night. An expert Wind Power Instructor is available to help you with your questions.

Why is this the best?

We recognize that most online courses are notoriously boring, and that many students do not finish them. So, we designed a fun, interactive online solar training course about the design & installation of wind power systems. We've even enhanced the course with interactive exercises, animations, quick quizzes, wind resources and video clips! And yes, you also receive a reference textbook.

Want hands-on training too?

When you also purchase our acclaimed hands-on 5-day Wind Energy Boot Camp, you receive a $600 discount off this course.

Get Certified!

Upon completing this online wind power course and finishing the assessments with a 70% score, students will be awarded the Boots on the Roof Entry-level Wind Power certification.

Please note - This course fills up very quickly! Enrollments are made on first-come, first-serve basis. To enroll now, please click the ENROLL button in the Course Schedule table below, and you may complete your enrollment online.

Wind Energy Overview

• Modern wind turbines
• Wind characteristics and resources
• General characteristics of the wind resource
• Characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer
• Wind data analysis and resource estimation

Energy Production Estimates: statistical techniques

• Overview of resource assessment data
• Wind measurements and instrumentation
• Power and Energy calculations

Wind Applications

• Remote Locations
• Hybrid Systems
• Low-Power Systems
• Utility Interconnection (grid-tied systems)
• Heating
• Pumping & Irrigation

Measurements

• Speed, Power, Wind Shear
• Air Density & Power Density
• Site Survey Techniques & Instruments
• Data Analysis

Wind Energy Output

• Estimating Power Output
• Small Wind Turbines
• Swept Area Calculations
• Medium Wind Turbines
• Performance & Efficiency Ratings

Wind Technology

• Aerodynamics
• Blades & Pitch
• Materials
• Generators & Alternators

Wind Towers

• Types of Towers
• Installation & Maintenance
• Drag Force
• Maintenance

Economics of Wind Energy

• Overview of economic assessment of wind energy systems
• Capital costs of wind energy systems
• Operation and maintenance costs
• Value of wind energy
• Wind Energy Market Considerations
• Residential
• Farm & Commercial
• Return on Investment & Risk

Siting

• Planning & Permitting
• Safety
• Aesthetics & Noise
• Restrictions
• Radio Interference

Off-Grid Systems

• Hybrids
• AC & DC Systems
• Inverters
• Batteries & Backup Generators
• Sizing

Installation

• Foundations & Anchors
• Guyed Towers
• Free-Standing Towers
• Micro, Household-size & Medium-size Turbines
• Wiring

Operation, Performance, & Maintenance

• Monitoring Performance
• Balance of Remote Systems
• Blade and Tower Cleaning
• Cost of Maintenance
• Life Expectancy

Safety

• Working at Heights
• Ropes, Ladders & Pulleys
• Batteries & Electrical Connections

No prerequisites necessary.