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Prospects With Solar Energy Training & Green Energy

Do you see yourself working in a role that will help to look after the planet? Train to become a Green Engineer, and you can. In just a few short months from now, you could be helping people in the UK or abroad to reduce the amount of CO2 they consume, and cut their energy bills considerably. Gas and oil consumption can't go on as it is. We all know we should be lowering our carbon footprint. 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. This is both beneficial for the environment, and for the appropriately qualified tradesmen and women who can carry out the work. Therefore if electrical or plumbing work appeals to you, adding some 'green' skills could be very beneficial.

If you qualified as an electrician some time ago, you may want to update your knowledge of renewables.

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'Green' Energy Solutions

The term 'green technology' refers to anything that creates exploitable energy from our planet's natural resources. Whether we get rain, wind or sun, we can harness the energy and put it to further use. 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. That's why there's a need for skilled workers with green certifications.

Solar Systems

Free energy from the sun can be absorbed by solar heating equipment and converted into domestic warm water. The technology has been around for over 30 years, and now many sophisticated systems are available. They're used alongside existing heating systems and can supply almost all the hot water a British family might need from late spring to early autumn.

Throughout a twelve month period, a system should be expected to deliver around half the total hot water requirement. Solar collectors come as either flat plates or evacuated tubes. They should be fitted to roofs that are ideally facing towards the south.

Another means of harnessing solar energy is through the use of photovoltaic cells which can convert sunlight into electricity. 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. The 'green electricity' that is created is then connected to the consumer unit within the property. Users of solar electricity will not only reduce their carbon footprint, they'll also cut their electricity bills by over a third. They also automatically sell electricity back to the National Grid if their system produces more than they use. The amount energy suppliers pay for solar electricity has been increased two and three fold in the UK due to government legislation in early 2010. Clearly the latitude of the property will impact how much energy is generated. So will the direction the panels are facing, the overall size of the PV array and any obstructions which block the light.

Geo-Thermal Energy

Ground Source Heat Pumps create heat sources from solar energy that naturally exists in the earth. Plastic pipes are buried under the surface and filled with a soluble solution that won't damage the environment. This collects the heat as it circulates, and transports it to the heat pump. Warm air or water is then pumped around a home to supplement existing heating systems. 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.

Developing All The time

As you go through a study programme, your knowledge of replenishable energy sources and new technology will grow. Naturally you'll be taught the necessary electrical skills, and the basics of domestic plumbing. You'll also look into the various energy efficient systems - how they work and how to install them. 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.

Green engineering training courses are developing all the time, as this exciting technology progresses. Additional options on certain courses could cover biomass, or grey and rainwater harvesting.

Work For Years To Come

An Energy Performance Certificate is now a legal requirement for all houses being sold in the UK - allowing buyers the chance to determine a property's typical fuel consumption, and gain advice on how it could do better. Many assessments show huge savings could be made over a period of time if improved systems were installed.

What's more, when householders employ properly accredited installers, they can benefit from generous government grants to help cover the costs of having new systems fitted. In real terms though, that's only the beginning. Within the next six years, all new homes must generate at least 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources to be legally compliant. We can't ignore the changes that must inevitably come, so why not get ahead of the crowd and secure your future now?