Considering Solar Energy Classes In The UK

Wouldn’t you like to build a career that not only pays you well but is also beneficial to the earth’s resources? If you get trained and qualified in green engineering you can do just that! By this time next year you could be up and running, advising people and installing energy efficient systems that will considerably reduce their household’s carbon footprint.

The cost of fuel is soaring as supplies become more finite. Our homes cost too much to run and keep warm, and they give off too much CO2. We are all being encouraged to think more carefully about how we use energy, and where we can be more efficient. Those who replace old and poorly performing boilers in the UK can claim subsidies from the government. Such measures bring more work for those with the right knowledge and qualifications. So be sure to get details of the ‘green’ elements in any plumber or electrician training course you’re considering. If you’re already in the trade, you can tune-up your knowledge and add to your current offering.

When we talk about green energy, we mean any functional source of power that has been created from a natural resource. We can generate additional and efficient power supplies by utilising the sun, the tides and the wind. Clearly windmills have been in use for centuries, as have waterwheels – but neither are very practical for most domestic homes. Equipment that captures energy from the sun however can be perfect for most houses. People with the right skill-sets are becoming increasingly in demand to implement these.

Free energy from the sun can be absorbed by solar heating equipment and converted into domestic warm water. Systems have been on sale in the UK for several decades, and the technology is now well understood. They are used in conjunction with conventional boilers or heating systems, and can provide most of the hot water for a UK family throughout the summer months. Over the year as a whole, they should provide for approximately half their hot water needs. There are two forms of collectors – namely evacuated tubes and flat plates. In order to collect the most heat possible from the sun, they should be installed on a roof that faces south.

Another means of harnessing solar energy is through the use of photovoltaic cells which can convert sunlight into electricity. Again, PV panels are designed to be attached to a roof or wall that is preferably south facing. As sunlight shines onto the panels an electric field is created that goes to an inverter inside the roof. This solar PV electricity can be used for lighting and for various appliances. Users of solar electricity will not only reduce their carbon footprint, they’ll also cut their electricity bills by over a third. The Grid will also automatically be fed any unused PV electricity, so if householders go away for two weeks, their solar power won’t be wasted. In the UK energy companies by law have to pay agreed rates to householders per kilowatt hour of electricity, but this can vary depending on the tariff they’re on. Planning permission isn’t usually needed to install PV cells, although listed buildings and houses in conservation areas should check with their local authorities.

Ground Source Heat Pumps create heat sources from solar energy that naturally exists in the earth. Heat pumps are connected to great lengths of underground geothermal piping that contains a non freezable substance. The fluid becomes warm as it circulates inside the pipes and thus heat is transported to the pump. The most efficient way to use this heat is in underfloor heating systems, but it can also be used for heating water in radiators. Ground source heat pumps will lower household fuel bills. They need a small amount of electricity to run them, but can produce four or five times as much as they consume.

When you train to work in the green installations industry, you’ll pick up a variety of worthwhile skills. Look for a course that will take you through all the domestic essentials, including health & safety, laws and regulations and if relevant guidance on starting your own business. As solar energy and heat pumps will give you the most work, you’d be sensible to focus on those. Courses in domestic green skills and qualifications are developing fast, to keep up with the increased demand caused by government incentives. If you have a special interest in water recycling, look for options that include rainwater and grey water harvesting.

Every home being sold in the UK must now have an Energy Performance Certificate which states it’s current consumption and advises on ways to become more efficient. In some instances, changes can produce huge savings. And up to 80 per cent of the cost of installation work can often be claimed from the government if owners have ‘green’ systems fitted by qualified professionals. But that’s just the start. In ten years’ time the British government aims to be on target for 15 percent of the nation’s energy coming from renewables. We can’t ignore the changes that must inevitably come, so why not get ahead of the crowd and secure your future now?

Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Pop to Click Here or www.workmap.com.