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Prospects With Solar Thermal Training

Do you see yourself working in a role that will help to look after the planet? Gain professional qualifications in 'green skills' and such a career can be yours. People are increasingly looking at green energy systems to reduce their CO2 emissions - within twelve months from now you could be a certified installer of energy efficient equipment. Current global fuel supplies have a limited lifespan. Our homes cost too much to run and keep warm, and they give off too much CO2. Western leaders are keen to encourage citizens to strive for greener alternatives to the more traditional methods.

Those who replace old and poorly performing boilers in the UK can claim subsidies from the government. Moves such as these mean the demand for appropriately certified fitters and installers continues to increase. So if you're thinking about training to become a plumber or an electrician, why not gear your skill-set towards green energy?

If you've been in the industry for a while, check out the new courses and certifications in green engineering.

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Naturally Replenishable Resources

Modern technology is considered green when it utilises resources that are naturally replenishable. So we can use sunshine, rain, wind and the tides to generate more power for ourselves. We've used wind and water for many years, but it's the sun that provides energy for many newer replenishable systems. Trades people with green credentials can capitalise on this.

Solar Power

Solar thermal systems can utilise free heat from the sun to warm up household water. The technology has been around for over 30 years, and now many sophisticated systems are available. A UK family could expect to get most of their hot water from a modern solar system from June to September. Throughout a twelve month period, a system should be expected to deliver around half the total hot water requirement. The solar energy 'collectors' come as either lightweight evacuated tubes or slightly more robust flat panels. Both are easy to install and maintain, and ideally should be fitted to a south facing roof.

Solar electricity systems are used to gather the sun's energy via PV (photovoltaic) cells. Once again, the panels should be fitted to a south facing roof or wall, along with an inverter in the loft to convert the DC electric current to AC. This is then connected to the fuse board of the house to supply electricity for lighting and appliances.

Approximately forty percent of a household's electricity can be produced with a photovoltaic system. Users can therefore benefit financially over time as well as ecologically. Anyone with a system that produces more electricity than the household consumes can automatically sell their excess to the national grid.

The going rate for PV electricity has been increased by the government in 2010, which makes for a better return on the original investment of the system. Planning permission isn't usually needed to install PV cells, although listed buildings and houses in conservation areas should check with their local authorities.

Geo-thermal Ground Source Heat

Ground source heat (which in Britain remains fairly constant at twelve degrees centigrade) can be used to create electricity and warm water.

Collector piping is placed down in the earth and fed with a special non-damaging solution that can't freeze. The heat arrives at the connecting heat pump because the solution warms as it flows around. Underfloor heating can benefit most from the warmth provided by heat pumps.

Householders will experience lower fuel bills if they install a ground source heat pump. Also, if they're replacing an oil boiler, they could produce 540kg of CO2 less a year.

Green Engineering Training Courses

Training courses in 'green collar work' will teach in-depth skills in all the important areas. In addition to key electrical certifications (like Part P) and plumbing requirements, your course should deal with certain legal obligations, government funding of green installations and health and safety. As more and more householders are becoming interested in solar energy systems in particular, you should concentrate first on the skills that will bring in the most work. All aspects of your training should be geared towards real-world demand, and lead to recognised certifications. The green market is growing fast, and opportunities are increasing in existing domestic properties, new builds and social housing.

Working With Future Trends...

So that buyers can determine future energy costs, every UK homeowner must get an Energy Performance Certificate before putting their house on the market.

This documentation includes advice on how to make the place more energy efficient. These reports frequently demonstrate how 000's can be saved over a few years. And in many cases funding is available from the British government to help pay for this, providing the installations are fitted by certified trades people.

Let's look to the near future though. In ten years' time the British government aims to be on target for 15 percent of the nation's energy coming from renewables. The future for skilled green technicians is very bright - as there is no other way for the world to move forward.