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Vocational Self-Study Training In Solar PV Installation - An Analysis

'Green Energy' is the use of resources such as wind, tides and geothermal heating to provide us with our everyday energy requirement. Collectively they are thought to be 'Green' because they are ecologically sound and easy to replace. It's interesting to note that in some instances we're actually travelling back in time to utilise some of the older energy skill sets e.g. Wind Power (Windmills etc.) However, it is the result of eco-efficient and planet friendly options that this process is maintained.

It is the use of simple renewable energies such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors, that suits the home environment. Equally there is electricity that is generated through roof-installed panels. Following on from this is a process known as Biomass Energy - which includes Boilers burning wood and other fuels. There is also the ground heat from the Sun - now known as Ground Source Heat Pumps. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production - namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.

Solar Energy Systems: Often called Solar Energy, this is fact based on two types of solar panels each using different ideas to get their results. To begin with, we have the concept of drawing energy from the Sun to heat water - known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation - known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. Solar Panels themselves need to be away from all light blocks, and should be on south facing roofs at angles of 30 degrees from the horizontal plane.

Within Solar Energy overall, Solar Water Power is most commonly used in the UK. With the ability to provide almost half the annual need for hot water in the house, Solar Water heating systems are very important. Typically, to fit this type of equipment will cost between 500 and 1500 pounds for a DIY kit - all the way up to 2-5k for a full professional fitting.

Biomass Energy Systems - This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and 'energy crops'. It is by using these materials in new ways to create energy that makes it so exciting. The ability to generate electricity is one of the UK's main green strengths - as it has one of the larger Biomass legacies within Europe. It should be borne in mind that the whole process is designed to produce energy without an impact on CO2. Because the system often involves one tree being planted as another is felled, many wood crops are deemed to be sustainable sources.

'Energy Crops' trees such as Willow and Poplar play a major part in the process - under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Other less known materials within this field are Agricultural and Municipal Waste. Agricultural Waste is commonly formed as a by-product of traditional agricultural work. Of equal importance is Municipal Waste, which comes from recycled wood and food.

Geo-Thermal Energy Based Systems - The constant energy of the Sun heating the Earth results in both warm water and electricity being produced. By using the ground source temperature of approximately 12 degrees, we can either heat or cool buildings within the UK. These 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. By using energy from solar electrical panels or wind turbines to power them, heat source pumps can be almost 100 percent renewable in energy production.

Wind Energy Systems: Wind Energy as a sustainable source of energy has been going on for millennia. Whether to your home or to a local grid, when the energy has been generated it must be delivered to a point of usage - and cannot be stored. To be fair, the UK has the highest level of wind generation within Europe. It is interesting to note that whilst we can produce 10 percent of our entire power requirement from wind power, at present we only produce 1 percent. Frankly, electricity can be realised from as little as 2p per kWh - as opposed to the current level of 2-10 p per kWh. Because of this, it is estimated that it takes between half a year to three quarters of a year to cover the installation costs.

Lastly, we have a discipline that the UK does well - namely Hydropower. The ability to utilise energy from moving water, much like wind power, has been going on for thousands of years. In total, this could produce something like 2 percent of all electricity required in the UK.

A hydropower system uses a turbine to create energy from moving water. By using a dam or a natural river drop, these turbines do not require water storage. 'Micro-Hydro' however utilises old outdated sluices and dams. Although a lesser known form of electricity output, this process could supply 200mW of UK demand. Installing systems like this could cost between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.

The demand on 'Green Energy' continues to develop - in light of the energy demands worldwide. To be fair, the UK domestic market is actually leading the resurgence, with a variety of schemes.

Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. It is the political view of this type of energy generation that results in grants and financial aid becoming ever-more prevalent. It is important to gain the correct qualifications to install these items. By mixing green training with those of electrical or plumbing, you could cover both angles.