Outlines For Solar Panel Courses

When our daily energy requirements are met by ‘Green Energy’, then we are using resources such as wind, tides or geothermal heat. They are considered ‘Green’ because they are environmentally friendly. The older energy skill sets have had value for years, especially when we think of wind power and windmills. But in the main, this is the process of utilising modern technology to provide eco-efficient and planet-friendly alternatives.

The home environment, for example, encompasses a range of energy ideas – including Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating solutions. Next on the list you would find the actual solar electricity Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) – which basically generate electricity through roof-installed panels. Following on from this is a process known as Biomass Energy – which includes Boilers burning wood and other fuels. We now also have Ground Source Heat Pumps – which draw out the heat left by the Sun. Considering items such as Wind Power and Hydro Turbines, we are finally getting to very old forms of energy production.

Thermal Solar Energy – By using different technologies, Solar Energy is effectively made up of two types of solar panels. Initially, there is the process of obtaining hot water from the Sun via Solar Water Heating Collectors. Furthermore, there are the Solar Electrical Panels (more correctly known as Photovoltaic heat collectors) which transform solar radiation into electricity. 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 this discipline, Solar Water Power is often regarded as the most popular form of Solar Energy within the UK. These systems are very efficient – and can deliver 50 percent of a household’s hot water requirement annually. 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: Historically, this has come from plants and animals, though nowadays this also includes new genetcially engineered ‘energy crops’. It is extremely useful – in that it can produce a range of power sources, including heat and electricity. It is interesting to note that the UK has some of the largest quantities of Biomass material to generate electricity within Europe. Considering all this, and the relative lack of C02 produced, makes the whole process highly green overall. Having a tree planted in place of another (that is felled for energy production) helps overall.

Within this field is the need for the use of ‘Energy Crops’, such as fast growing trees, e.g. Willow and Poplar or other entities grown on a Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Of equal importance is the production of perennial grasses – because of their yield of dry matter. Whilst Agricultural and Municipal waste may be lesser known, they are essential to the whole process. Agricultural Waste is commonly formed as a by-product of traditional agricultural work. Whereas Municipal Waste is derived from wood or food – and can be used for biomass energy.

Systems Using Geo-Thermal Energy – Used in the generation of both warm water and electricity, this energy mainly comes from the Sun and heats the Earth. Using the ground temperature of around 12 degrees in the UK – we can both heat and cool buildings. 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. The energy generated by a heat source pump can in fact be considered 100 percent renewable, if the power to operate the pump comes from solar electrical panels or a wind turbine.

Wind Energy: In use for milling grain or pumping water, wind energy has been with us for a very long time, although its modern uses are complex. Where the local power grid demands it, energy can be diverted and sold there. In fact, the UK has the largest wind resource within Europe. Potentially, we can produce 10 percent of our annual energy needs through wind power, although at present within the UK we still only use 1 percent. Instead of producing electricity at a rate of 2-10p per kWh, we could be generating at 2p per kWh. Recovery of the cost involved is somewhere between 6-9 months.

Finally, we have Hydropower; an area in which the UK does well within Europe. Having said that, the art of using energy from moving water (just like wind power) is very traditional. Interestingly enough, this type of energy production meets around 2 percent of the UK electrical total demand.

Using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transform the energy of water into other forms. No water reservoirs are required – as the turbines either run through a water drop-off system or the natural power of the river. ‘Micro-Hydro’ however, uses the dam and sluice systems that have been made redundant by the larger national distributions. Having said that, this process could still generate 200mW of the National Capacity. The capital cost of installing a micro-hydro system can run between 200 and 3000 pounds per kW of energy output.

It can be seen that the route to ‘Green Energy’ is growing considerably, especially in light of the need for increasing energy outputs throughout the Western World. The UK domestic market appears to be one of the core beneficiaries of this technology.

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. This is a new industry – but getting the right certification can only improve job security and opportunities for the future. To cover both ends, you could consider electrical or plumbing training along with green systems.

Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Navigate to Solar Power Courses or CLICK HERE.