The N.C. Solar Center in Raleigh is offering a 40-hour renewable energy management training course that the organization bills as the only non-degree program of its kind in North America.

And at $1,798 per student, the course is a bargain, according to the organizers.

The Solar Center's Certificate in Renewable Energy Management will require a group project to complete the course and graduate. The course will include online and on-site instruction in the technology, financing and policy of renewable energy.

The N.C. Solar Center is offering a half-day career workshop on the much-touted job trend: green jobs.

The sessions at N.C. State University's McKimmon Center will cover such issues as networking, training, certification, financing and grants. The Dec. 8 event is free and open to the public.

The only caveat is that you are supposed to register in advance to reserve your place. So we're telling you about it a week ahead of time.

The N.C. Solar Center is distributing $734,384 to 16 grant recipients throughout the state to promote clean fuel and electric vehicles.

The money, courtesy of the N.C. Department of Transportation, will largely be used to offset the cost of purchasing electric cars. According to N.C. State University's Solar Center, the grants will help reduce transportation-related emissions in N.C. counties that don't meet federal clean-air standards.

Clean energy aficionados will have a packed calendar for green networking next month if they attend a series of conferences scheduled in Raleigh.

At least three green-themed conferences are scheduled in May in less than two weeks, with two of those confabs taking place simultaneously at two different venues.