Sustainable Technology: Sound Solutions to Real Problems
The Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Technology prepares students to design, build and maintain the technological systems that are driving the transition to a renewable energy economy. Our graduates are recruited nationally by leading renewable energy companies.
The curriculum is hands-on, with most courses including a lab component. Students have the opportunity to design, build, and test real systems and work alongside faculty on their research. A wide range of topics is studied, including photovoltaics, the grid and microgrids, energy storage, wind and hydro, bioenergy, electric transportation, and a range of other sustainability-focused technologies. Internships, typically between junior and senior year, provide students the opportunity to gain valuable experience and insight into the profession.
The successful students are doers that work to address contemporary problems with tangible outcomes. Sustainable Technologists can be characterized by people who enjoy taking things apart to understand their inner workings, enjoy hands-on design, build, and construction projects using tools, enjoy applied science and engineering, and are motivated to make a positive difference in the world through the implementation of renewable energy. “ST” students come from a diversity of backgrounds including community college transfers and military veterans.
ST Faculty are scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs that form an interdisciplinary approach to the dynamic field of technological evolution. Research areas and specialities include: distributed energy resources (solar, wind, hydro), renewable microgrids, energy storage, electrification of transportation, instrumentation and monitoring, bioenergy, and waste management. See Faculty Bios here.
The program is housed in Appalachian’s Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment.
To learn more about the ST program, please join us for a virtual open house!
After Graduation
Employment: Sustainable Technology graduates begin good-paying and rewarding careers. Alumni are working in the renewable energy industry, especially solar PV, as system designers, installers, field engineers, project coordinators, data analysts, and operations specialists. Due to rapid industry growth, they have the ability to rise quickly into higher paying management positions. Many alums are entrepreneurial and have started their own businesses. Other graduates are working as government or corporate sustainability officers, and sustainability educators. Some work in the NGO sector overseas to develop renewable energy systems internationally.
Graduate School: Sustainable Technology students with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher are able to take advantage of App State’s Accelerated Masters program and pursue the MS in Technology degree, which can be completed in one year. Alumni have pursued graduate education in related fields such as business administration, engineering, or education.
Engagement Outside the Classroom
The Sustainable Technology program provides many opportunities for extracurricular activities, where students can really focus on an area of interest and develop leadership skills.
Solar Vehicle Team - Sustainable Technology students started and are key members of Appalachian State’s Team Sunergy. Team Sunery has designed and built several solar cars and regularly competes in the American Solar Challenge cross-country race. The team routinely finishes on the podium!
Solar District Cup - our students regularly compete in the annual US Department of Energy - sponsored Solar District Cup competition. SDC teams design a PV system to satisfy a real use case, which is judged by a panel of industry professionals.
Faculty Research - Sustainable Technology faculty conduct applied research in a wide range of disciplines. Undergraduate students often participate. Check out our research facilities here. pages.
Sustainable Energy Society (Solar Club) - student organization that hosts workshops, special events, and other educational programs on campus and in the community to inform people of the importance of renewable energy and sustainable living to the environment and future generations.
Renewable Energy Initiative - a committee of students, with faculty and staff advisors, that is responsible for allocating money towards the implementation of renewable energy on campus. The committee’s annual operating budget comes from a self-imposed student fee of $5 per student per semester. See more at rei.appstate.edu
Careers
Graduates of the Sustainable Technology program are employed in renewable energy industry with job titles including:
Solar Operations Engineer
Energy Efficiency Specialist
Project Manager
Electrical Field Engineer
Engineering Manager
Solar Operations Monitoring Specialist
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Control Supervisor
Project Coordinator
Director - Estimating and Preconstruction
Microgrid Partner & Strategy Leader
Solar Asset Manager
Sales Application Engineer
Solar Operations Analyst
Design Engineer
Sustainability Officer
Sustainability Educator
International Development Work
Companies who employ ST graduates include:
ACT Power Services - Morrisville, NC
Biogest America - Denver, CO
Blue Ridge Power - Asheville, NC
Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions - Oxnard, CA
CAMS - Houston, TX
Carolina Solar Services - Durham, NC
Cinterra - Hope Mills, NC
Ecoplexus - Durham, NC
Harvest Solar - Jackson, MI
IGS Energy - Dublin, OH
Moss & Associates - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pine Gate Renewables - Asheville, NC
Renu Energy Solutions - Charlotte, NC
RES - Global Energy Solutions - Kings Langley, England
Savion - Kansas City, MO
Schneider Electric - Rueil-Malmaison, France
Solv Energy - San Diego, CA
Strata Clean Energy - Chapel Hill, NC
Willdan - Raleigh, NC
Sustainable Technology Program News
App Solar Takes 1st Place in Solar District Cup Challenge (2 Years in a Row!)
May 2, 2025
Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, a team of graduate and undergraduate students competed in the Department of Energy's 2024-2025 Solar District ...
Solar Decathlon Teams from App Earn Honorable Mentions at BuildingNEXT Competition in Colorado
Apr 30, 2025
The U.S. Department of Energy BuildingsNEXT™ Student Design Competition (formerly Solar Decathlon) is a collegiate competition that has inspired tho...
STBE Students Ethan Wittig, Skyler Strzelecki, Jonathan Culpepper, and Joseph Crews Receive Leadership and Research Awards
Apr 23, 2025
Over the last few weeks, a number of students in the STBE Department have been recognized for their incredible leadership, research, and service. One ...