850-AEC Solar and Wind Alternative Energy Training System by Amatrol

The demand for qualified solar and small wind technicians is rising rapidly, driven by the continued expansion of renewable energy installations across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. As more homes, businesses, and communities turn to solar PV and small wind systems, the need for technicians who can install, connect, operate, program, and troubleshoot those systems competently has become one of the most consistently growing workforce needs in the energy sector. Programs that want to prepare students for those careers need training equipment that uses the actual industrial components those students will work with on the job.

The Amatrol 850-AEC Alternative Energy Learning System addresses that need directly. It is a complete solar PV and small wind training platform built around real-world industrial components, paired with Amatrol's interactive multimedia eLearning curriculum, that gives students hands-on experience connecting, operating, and programming solar and small wind systems in both commercial and residential configurations. Training can happen indoors using Amatrol's sun and wind simulators or outdoors using the detachable solar panel array, giving programs flexibility that no other configuration requires.

Klein Educational supplies Amatrol alternative energy training systems to CTE programs, community colleges, and technical training centers across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska. As the only authorized Amatrol distributor in these seven states, we help programs get the right system configured and running.

What is the Amatrol 850-AEC?

The Amatrol 850-AEC Alternative Energy Learning System is a mobile workstation that integrates real solar PV components and small wind components into a single training platform, complete with Amatrol's multimedia student curriculum and a teacher's assessment guide. The workstation is pre-mounted with components for easy inventory management, and the solar PV array station easily disconnects for outdoor use when weather and facilities allow.

The system is built around real-world components commonly found in commercial and residential alternative energy installations, not simplified educational approximations. The combiner box and multiple-panel solar array allow students to connect panels in series and parallel, exactly as a solar installer does in the field. The MPPT charge controller, the most common controller type in current installations, allows programming and communications via Ethernet from an LCD panel, reflecting the actual tools and interfaces that solar technicians use. The 400-watt wind turbine and diversion load controller give students hands-on experience with the small wind components found in residential and light commercial wind installations.

Indoor and outdoor flexibility

One of the most common concerns for programs considering alternative energy training is location. Teaching solar energy without sun and wind turbine technology without wind seems to require outdoor space and favorable weather that many programs do not have reliable access to. The 850-AEC solves that problem through a dual-mode design that makes the training location fully flexible.

For indoor use, the Solar PV Array Station disconnects from the workstation and is replaced by the Solar PV Sun Simulator, which uses artificial lights to simulate sunlight and power the solar circuits indoors under fully controlled conditions. The wind circuits can similarly be operated with a wind simulator indoors. For outdoor use, the solar panel array disconnects from the workstation and sets up outside on its adjustable-angle mobile frame to capture real sunlight, and the system can be connected to client-supplied external wind turbines or rooftop solar panels with optional interface connections. This indoor-outdoor flexibility means programs can deliver consistent, scheduled alternative energy training regardless of weather or facility constraints.

What students and trainees learn

The 850-AEC curriculum builds from foundational alternative energy concepts through advanced system operation and troubleshooting across both solar PV and small wind technologies. The curriculum is structured to begin with basics and advance steadily to more complex concepts and skills, using Amatrol's multimedia format to engage learners across different learning styles before applying knowledge to hands-on equipment work.

Solar PV curriculum covers photovoltaic module operation and construction, solar PV array configuration including series and parallel panel connections, solar battery operation and charging, MPPT charge controller programming and Ethernet communication, DC solar PV system connection and operation, stand-alone AC solar PV system connection and operation, solar PV system performance measurement and analysis, and solar PV system troubleshooting.

Small wind curriculum covers wind turbine generator construction and operation, DC wind turbine system connection and operation, AC wind turbine system connection and operation, wind turbine battery systems, diversion load controller operation, small wind system performance measurement, and small wind system troubleshooting.

Combined system topics include DC and AC system integration, battery storage for combined solar and wind systems, comparing and integrating solar and wind energy sources, and system-level troubleshooting across both technologies.

Multimedia eLearning curriculum

The 850-AEC includes Amatrol's interactive multimedia eLearning curriculum, which uses text, audio, video, interactive quizzes, and 3D animations to teach both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills. The curriculum is built to engage learners with different learning styles, with voiceovers of all text, stunning 3D graphics that illustrate system operation and component relationships, and interactive exercises that verify comprehension before students advance to hands-on practice on the actual equipment.

The transition from eLearning theory to hands-on equipment work is seamless in the Amatrol system. Students study a concept in the eLearning environment, then immediately apply it on the 850-AEC workstation, reinforcing understanding through physical practice that makes advanced topics easier to comprehend and retain. A Student Reference Guide compiled from the curriculum's technical content is included with the system, giving each student a permanent, condensed reference that will be valuable throughout their career.

Expansion options

The 850-AEC is an expandable platform that can grow with a program's curriculum and student population. The Grid-Tie Learning System Solar (85-GT1) adds a single-phase inverter that enables the system to connect to the classroom grid, covering the grid-interactive PV systems that represent the majority of commercial and residential solar installations today. The Data Acquisition Learning System Wind and Solar (85-ADA1) adds a multi-point data acquisition module, PC software, and sensors for monitoring voltage and current throughout both wind and solar circuits, enabling data analysis exercises that reflect the monitoring and commissioning tools used in professional solar and wind installations. Both options mount directly on the 850-AEC workstation.

Certification preparation

Amatrol's 850-AEC curriculum provides foundational training that prepares students for portions of the solar and small wind certifications offered by NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), SWCC (Small Wind Certification Council), and ETA (Electronics Technicians Association). These are the primary industry-recognized certifications for solar and wind technicians, and employers across the renewable energy sector specifically look for them when hiring. Programs that use the 850-AEC as the foundation of a solar and wind certification preparation pathway are giving their graduates credentials that carry direct market value.

Who uses the Amatrol 850-AEC

The 850-AEC is used by CTE programs at high schools and community colleges, renewable energy technology programs, engineering technology programs with green energy concentrations, workforce development centers serving the solar and wind installation workforce, and technical training programs at utilities, installers, and energy companies. It is equally effective as the primary training platform for a dedicated alternative energy pathway and as a supplemental system that adds solar and wind content to electrical, electronics, or maintenance technology programs.

How Klein Educational supports your program

Klein Educational is more than an equipment supplier. We work with program directors, department heads, and workforce administrators from the first conversation through delivery and beyond. That includes needs assessment, system configuration, and support to ensure your program gets the right 850-AEC setup for your curriculum and facility.

As the only authorized Amatrol distributor in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska, we have direct access to the full Amatrol alternative energy product line, curriculum, and support infrastructure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Amatrol 850-AEC? The 850-AEC is a complete solar PV and small wind alternative energy training system built around real industrial components including a multiple-panel solar array, MPPT charge controller, 400W wind turbine, and diversion load controller, paired with Amatrol's interactive multimedia eLearning curriculum. It supports both indoor and outdoor training and is expandable with grid-tie and data acquisition options.

Can the 850-AEC be used indoors? Yes. A Solar PV Sun Simulator is available that uses artificial lights to simulate sunlight for indoor solar circuit training, and a wind simulator supports indoor wind circuit training. The solar panel array also disconnects for outdoor use when facilities and weather allow.

What certifications does the 850-AEC prepare students for? The 850-AEC curriculum provides foundational training toward portions of NABCEP, SWCC, and ETA solar and small wind technician certifications.

What expansion options are available? The Grid-Tie Learning System Solar (85-GT1) adds grid-interactive PV capability. The Data Acquisition Learning System Wind and Solar (85-ADA1) adds multi-point data monitoring and PC-based analysis. Both mount directly on the 850-AEC workstation.

Is the 850-AEC available in solar-only or wind-only configurations? Yes. Amatrol offers the 850-AES Alternative Energy Learning System for solar-only programs and a separate wind energy configuration for programs that want to focus on one technology.

Does Klein Educational help with system setup? Yes. Klein works with programs from needs assessment through system configuration and delivery. We guide the entire process so your program is operational from day one.

Ready to Build a Solar and Wind Training Program?

Whether you are launching a new alternative energy curriculum or adding solar and wind training to an existing electrical or engineering technology program, our team will help you find the right 850-AEC configuration for your needs and budget.