Explaining Solar PV Training – Where To Go
It is the use of tides or wind to deliver our daily energy needs that form ‘Green Energy’. When ‘Green’, they are all thought to be replenishable and natural. 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.) Overall, this is the method of using modern techniques to provide eco-efficiency and planet friendly options.
In the home environment, one can see examples such as Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors. Moving on from this there are the Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) which can generate electricity from your roof. Equally important is that of Biomass Energy – which includes Stoves, Fuel, Pellets and Boilers burning Wood. We now also have Ground Source Heat Pumps – which draw out the heat left by the Sun. Not all ‘Green Energy’ is new – by considering Wind Power and Hydropower we are looking at some of the oldest forms of energy production.
Thermal Solar Energy – Typically referred to as Solar Energy this is mainly made up of two types of Solar Panels – each using different methods to achieve similar results. To begin with, we have the concept of drawing energy from the Sun to heat water – known as Solar Water Heating Collectors. Secondly, Photovoltaic heat collectors – often simply referred to as Solar Electrical Panels – which transform the solar radiation into electricity. Obviously situated away from blockages such as chimneys etc., these Solar Panels need to be mounted on south facing roofs at an angle of 30 degrees from the horizontal.
For the UK, this is often considered the most popular form of ‘Green Energy’. Solar Water heating systems can meet the need for more than half of all hot water needs in the domestic market. Getting a professional fitting will cost around 2-5k, however, doing the job yourself could make it as low as 500 to 1500 pounds in total.
Biomass Energy Systems – Including all natural energy forms derived from plant and animal products – such as wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. It is extremely useful – in that it can produce a range of power sources, including heat and electricity. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. Considering all this, and the relative lack of C02 produced, makes the whole process highly green overall. Because the system often involves one tree being planted as another is felled, many wood crops are deemed to be sustainable sources.
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. Other less known materials within this field are Agricultural and Municipal Waste. To begin with, Agricultural Waste is often produced as part of the agricultural process overall. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.
Systems Based On Geo-Thermal Energy: By naturally heating the Earth, the Sun has the potential to generate both warm water and electricity. 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. This system can go even further – if energy efficient items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels are used.
Wind Energy: As an energy source, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy creation in history. That aside, the ability to generate energy and both transfer this into the home or the local grid has been a relatively new option. With regard to wind generation, it is the UK that has the highest production within Europe. For the fact remains that, within the UK, we have the ability to generate 10 percent of our requirement from Wind Production – as opposed to the current value of only 1 percent. Electricity can be produced from as little as 2p per kWh, but generally comes in somewhere between 2-10p per kWh. The financial recovery process takes around 6-9 months.
Then there is Hydropower – something within Europe that the UK excels in. Although new in its approach, the act of harnessing energy from water has been going on for a long time. In total, this could produce something like 2 percent of all electricity required in the UK.
By using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transfer the kinetic energy of moving water into another form. Turbines use either a water drop (e.g. through a dam) or by a natural ‘run of the river’ – thereby having no water storage reservoir. ‘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. The expected cost of installing a system such as this would be between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of 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.
It is the drive for installations in the domestic sector that looks to favour jobs such as plumbers and electricians. With EEC and UK recognition of renewable energy getting ever-higher on the political agenda, the grants and financial aid for introduction of these systems can only increase. It is by gaining the right certificates that will provide opportunities and job security for the long term. Look for combined electrical and plumbing training, with a key emphasis on practical green systems and installation.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Look at electricianscourse.co.uk/GreenEngineerCertification.html or Renewable Energy Certification.
