Utilising Earth's Natural Resources - Solar Training Courses

Can you imagine yourself working in an exciting new industry that's pushing environmental boundaries? By training as a Domestic Green Engineer, you'll have the right skills for the job. Within months of getting started on a course, you could be ready to work here or overseas in a thriving new job or business.

The world can't continue to consume oil and gas at current levels. Carbon emissions will have to be reduced. 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. So domestic engineers with the correct skill-sets can find themselves in high demand.

It's therefore a good idea commercially that your electrical or plumbing training includes working with green energy systems. 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

Planet earth provides us with a rich source of renewables from which to extract more energy for our own use. 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. This is leading to a lot of work for 'Green' electricians.

Energy From The Sun

Free energy from the sun can be absorbed by solar heating equipment and converted into domestic warm water. We've had solar thermal systems in Britain since the seventies, so today's models are now very well developed.

Although in Britain we can't rely entirely on them for all of our hot water needs, a typical family could expect to get most of their requirement in the summertime. The average domestic solar heating system should reduce CO2 emissions by 0.4 - 0.75 tonnes per annum. Collection equipment comes in the form of the more efficient evacuated tubes, or the perhaps more visually attractive solid flat plates. 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. 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. This solar PV electricity can be used for lighting and for various appliances. Consumers will reduce their electricity bills significantly, as sunlight doesn't cost anything to run. Obviously savings will start to take effect once the initial cost of the system has been recovered. Equally they can't waste any solar electricity, as the national grid is automatically fed back any electricity that isn't being used. In April 2010 Government legislation in the UK increased the amount energy companies have to pay to buy back electricity, making the initial investment more attractive. Installation of Solar PV panels usually comes under 'permitted development' which doesn't require planning permission. A quick check with the local authority will confirm this.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Solar energy is naturally stored in the ground - in the UK the ground source heat is constantly around 12 degrees centigrade. 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.

Underfloor heating can benefit most from the warmth provided by heat pumps. Although heat pumps use electricity, they can still be considered 'green' because they produce four to five times more electricity than they consume.

Green Engineering Training Courses

The right 'green energy' course will cover everything you need to pursue a worthwhile career in domestic renewable energy. 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.

Essentially, courses are there to equip you for work - so all parts of your training should lead to industry recognised qualifications. You might be offered optional tutorials, for instance on rainwater harvesting to recycle water.

A Future-Proof Career

By law, each house in Britain now needs an Energy Performance Certificate before it can be sold. This tells potential buyers how much energy is being consumed and where improvements could be made. Often more modern or alternative equipment can lower running costs significantly.

The government is offering householders substantial grants to cover certain installation costs where work is undertaken by appropriately qualified Green Engineers. But that's just the start...

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. The future for skilled green technicians is very bright - as there is no other way for the world to move forward.