Green Energy Careers & Solar 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. 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.

Fuel prices are continuing to rise as gas and oil is steadily running out. We all know we should be lowering our carbon footprint. Political leaders are striving to guide people towards greater energy efficiency by promoting and incentivising replenishable alternatives.

People in Britain can often get substantial government subsidies to cover such things as wall or loft insulation and solar generated hot water. Moves such as these mean the demand for appropriately certified fitters and installers continues to increase. So be sure to get details of the 'green' elements in any plumber or electrician training course you're considering. Any experienced electricians or plumbers can take short courses in renewable energy solutions.

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Which Technology Is Considered Green?

The term 'green technology' refers to anything that creates exploitable energy from our planet's natural resources. By harnessing the energy from the sun, the wind or the tides we can create alternative sources of power.

We've used wind and water for many years, but it's the sun that provides energy for many newer replenishable systems. This is leading to a lot of work for 'Green' electricians.

Solar Systems

Solar water heating collectors absorb energy from the sun and convert it into hot water. The technology has been around for over 30 years, and now many sophisticated systems are available. They can't provide for all the hot water needs for families in the UK, but in summer they can supply a significant amount of it. Year round, something in the region of 50 per cent of the hot water could be met by solar energy. Solar collectors come as either flat plates or evacuated tubes. In order to collect the most heat possible from the sun, they should be installed on a roof that faces south.

To generate electricity, photovoltaic solar panels are used to capture the sun's energy. When the panels are facing the light, they can generate energy all year round (though obviously the more sun that shines on them the better). PV panels are linked to an inverter that could be installed in the roof space. From there the AC electric is connected to the electrical consumer panel that delivers electricity around the house.

Users of solar electricity will not only reduce their carbon footprint, they'll also cut their electricity bills by over a third. Any solar electricity that isn't used up can either be stored in batteries for a cloudy day, or sold back to the National Grid.

This year (2010) the government has stepped in to increase the amount of money energy companies have to pay for this recycled electricity. Some European governments have fixed 'feed-in tariffs' for many years, which has led to an increase in the number of systems purchased, and a reduction in the amount they cost.

Geo-thermal Ground Source Heat

Ground Source Heat Pumps create heat sources from solar energy that naturally exists in the earth. To retrieve that heat, several hundred metres of geothermal plastic piping is buried underground, and filled with an eco-friendly non-freezing solution. 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. Heat pumps do need some power to operate, but for every one unit of energy they use, they generate four units of energy in return.

Progressive Evolution

Typical training will give you a greater understanding of renewable energy and the careers you can pursue. 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.

However, as technology and the law on environmental construction evolves, so too will training in this sector. Your course may also offer options on how to install rainwater harvesting systems or grey water recycling systems for example.

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. 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. Let's look to the near future though.

By the year 2016, the law states that all new houses will have to produce a minimum of 15 per cent of their energy from replenishable supplies. We can't ignore the changes that must inevitably come, so why not get ahead of the crowd and secure your future now?