Advanced Electrical and Renewable Energy Technician

An electrical technician is responsible for installing and maintaining heavy circuitry, motor controls, and piping. However, they do not typically work on the essential components of the machines. They are instead responsible for anything between the power source and the motor.

The Austin Career Institute's Advanced Electrical Technician training now includes comprehensive instruction of solar photovoltaics, simply known as solar power training. Beginning with an introduction to solar photovoltaics, the course continues logically through the site assessment for a prospective solar power installation to system design and installation. Technicians also get trained to inspect, maintain and troubleshoot in the solar power training for residential and commercial installations.

Graduates of this program will qualify for entry level positions in the Commercial and Residential Electrician industry.

Program objectives.

• Apply appropriate safety practices when installing and maintaining electrical and renewable energy systems.
• Use electrical measurements, calculations, tools, equipment, and applicable industry practices.
• Install and maintain electrical wiring, conductors, boxes, raceways, lighting, and related electrical components.
• Troubleshoot electrical systems and select appropriate conductors and overcurrent protection devices for electrical applications.
• Explain the operation and application of electrical circuits, motors, controls, transformers, and residential and commercial electrical systems.
• Calculate electrical loads and apply appropriate wiring methods for residential, commercial, and special electrical applications.
• Inspect, install, maintain, and troubleshoot residential and commercial solar photovoltaic systems.
• Use applicable National Electrical Code (NEC) tables and practices in electrical applications.

Licensing. Graduates are qualified to apply for Apprentice Electrician License Through TDLR.

Language of delivery. English.

• 720-hours (7.5-month/30-week) Certification Program
• Flexible class schedules available
• Receive ACI's nationally accredited Advanced Electrical Technician Certification
• Graduates are qualified to apply for Apprentice Electrician License Through TDLR
• Receive hands on training such as learning residential, commercial and industrial wiring as well as solar
• Conduit bending and sizing
• Size electrical services - read blueprints
• Learn how to conduct Load calculations to size a circuit breaker Panel for a house
• Service and troubleshoot electrical systems
• Learn about installation and troubleshooting Solar Panels
• Learn how to use the NEC code book

Interested applicants can call or visit ACI to set up an appointment with an Admissions Representative. Applicants are encouraged to visit to see the facilities firsthand and meet the staff. Applicants must be 17 or older, have a Diploma or GED, speak English or Spanish, complete an Application for Admissions and meet with an Admissions Representative. Only after the applicant has satisfied all the admissions requirements will the applicant be provided with an enrollment agreement, which lists the program description, the program hours, class schedule, academic delivery and cost for program completion.

In order to enroll in a program with a digital instruction component, students must have access to a computer with the minimum requirements.

The program is 720 clock hours, scheduled at 24 hours per week for approximately 30 weeks (the stated length is an estimate). Both Traditional and Hybrid modalities require the students to attend school 24 hours per week.

Class hours. Hours for the ACI’s 290 Extension Campus classes are Monday – Thursday 8:00am to 11:00pm, Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm. Office hours are 9:00am – 6:00pm Monday – Thursday and Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Schedules. Flexible class schedules; mornings, evenings, weekends.

Start dates. ACI does not publish a start-date calendar; contact admissions to check when the next classes start.

Hybrid format. Hybrid is when a student attends the laboratory portion of the program in person at the physical campus location and the lecture portion of the program is completed online within our cloud-based Learning Management System. Students in Hybrid program must ensure that they complete the number of online hours per week required for the program in order to graduate. Note from the catalog’s attendance policy: “Currently all the online portions of the hybrid programs must be completed in class in traditional format. This means that students registered in hybrid programs attend classes in traditional format.”

Program costs. Registration (non-refundable) $100.00; Tuition $19,284.05; Digital Books Subscription for Program Length $610.95; Total Cost $19,995.00. The catalog lists the same costs for the Hybrid and Traditional formats.

Books. The Electrician's Guide to Photovoltaic System Installation, 1st Edition, ISBN 978-1-28-569434-4; Electrical Level 1, 11e ISBN-13: 9780137935079; Electrical Level 2, 11e ISBN-13: 9780138231736; Electrical Level 3, 11e ISBN-13: 9780138175009; Electrical Level 4, 11e ISBN-13: 9780138176181; McGraw Hill's National Electrical Code 2023 Handbook, 31st Edition, ISBN 9781265998578.

Estimated cost of attendance (2026-27 Title IV cost of attendance, effective 7/1/2025). Living costs for the program length — Food and Housing: $14,385.00 dependent (with parent) / $18,637.50 independent (off campus); Transportation: $7,395.00 dependent (with parent) / $9,217.50 independent (off campus); Personal: $4,470.00 dependent (with parent) / $13,732.50 independent (off campus); Total Estimated Cost of Attendance: $46,245.00 dependent (with parent) / $61,582.50 independent (off campus).

Federal financial aid. ACI offers Title IV Federal Student Aid awards for those who are eligible which include Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans. The first step toward qualifying for these programs is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), which serves as an application for all federal – and most state – student aid programs. ACI’s Federal School Code is 042825. Title IV Loans require repayment starting 6 months after a student's last date of attendance.

Veterans and workforce funding. ACI accepts Veteran Educational Benefits for those Veterans that are approved for Education benefits through the VA (Montgomery GI Bill®, Post-9/11 GI Bill®, MyCAA). ACI is approved by the State Approving Agency – Texas Veterans Commission and is a vendor to Texas Workforce Solutions.

Payment plans. Helcim Payment Plans are offered by ACI for those that qualify for payment plans, and payments begin while in school. Full Cash Pay students are required to pay half of the total cost as a deposit and the remaining balance will be set up on a monthly payment plan. Payment plans are available for self-pay students.

Cancellation. A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed.

Net Price Calculator. https://solutions.campusivy.com/Apps/NPC/NPCWizard?institutionId=64400

Our graduates are qualified to apply for their Texas Apprentice Electrician License and can then be hired into the workforce which consists of small and large electrical service companies and employers in need of an electricians on staff at educational, governmental and business facilities to perform day to day maintenance and installations as well as the diverse residential market. With the addition of solar installation and maintenance training even more job possibilities are available to graduates!

The median annual wage for Advanced Electrical Technicians was $62,350 in May 2024. The median pay per hour before overtime in 2024 was $29.98. Employment of electricians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033. About 80,200 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Placement assistance. ACI offers placement assistance. ACI works closely with local employers to assist in placement of the students after graduation at no charge to the graduate, including resume preparation, assistance with creating accounts for online job matching platforms and contact data for placement service personnel. ACI does not guarantee graduate employment.

At Austin Career Institute, our Student Career Services department is committed to supporting our students through the transition from a student to qualified professional. We offer job search strategies, resume assistance, soft skills training and interviewing techniques, and access to resources, job listings, and local career fairs to both students and alumni.

We understand that life can be demanding for our students and real-life issues arise. Here at Austin Career Institute, we’ve partnered with local organizations that can assist qualified students with support services. ACI provides services that support the students' efforts to succeed academically, vocationally, and personally, including individual advising, academic tutoring, and assistance in locating needed social services.