In this Capstone course, students work in teams of four to six on a specific project with an energy or cleantech company. The project will provide students with the opportunity to apply the previously developed skills and the knowledge they learned through the previous certificate courses to real-life problems faced by companies.

Past Project Examples
Capstone projects have addressed a diverse range of topics, including:

• Energy Storage Market Analysis: Assessed the viability of an emerging energy storage market through policy review, expert interviews, and market analysis, concluding it holds strong potential for entry.
• Solar Asset System Acquisition Analysis: Evaluated opportunities for acquiring and revitalizing aging commercial solar systems in the Northeast, providing financial models, market insights, and a strategic implementation plan.
• Advanced Manufacturing Market Assessment: Analyzed the Inflation Reduction Act's Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, creating a framework for evaluating critical mineral opportunities and identifying pathways for New Energy Risk to support new clean energy technologies.
• Multi-Owner Microgrid Business Model Study: Researched real-world examples and best practices for multi-owner, multi-stakeholder microgrids to inform potential utility microgrid strategy.
• Community Solar Customer Acquisition Analysis: Developed a targeted outreach strategy to replace traditional sales tactics with localized, segment-specific approaches that improve community solar enrollment and reduce churn.
• Utility-Scale Storage Marketing Strategy: Created a comprehensive marketing plan, value proposition, and outreach materials to help expand sales to municipal and cooperative utilities in the growing battery storage market.
• Building Benchmarking U.S. Market Analysis: Evaluated 37 U.S. markets to identify expansion opportunities for building benchmarking services through policy research, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews.

 
This course will feature a mix of synchronous and asynchronous sessions that provide content and reinforce learning outcomes. Synchronous sessions are outlined in the course schedule listed on this page.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 3

You'll walk away with

• A strong understanding of what it is like to work at a clean energy business or government entity in the New York metro area
• Knowledge of your industry host and its mission and the impact your Capstone Project will have on the host’s business
• The skills to effectively execute a project with a remote team and consulting client
• The ability to communicate effectively with a consulting client on a project’s progress, ensuring the client’s confidence in you and your team
• The skills to manage and resolve internal team conflicts effectively

Ideal for

• Students interested in clean energy
• Those seeking to work in the energy sector or a related field