A Guide To Solar Power 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. When considering elements such as Wind Power and Windmills, in many cases we are looking back at the history of energy production. This idea is preserved by the use of technology, eco-efficient options and planet friendly alternatives.
Solar Thermal and Solar Water Heating Collectors are examples of what can be used in your house as part of renewable energy technologies. 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. What shouldn’t be forgotten is the heat stored in the ground from the Sun – often simply referred to as Ground Source Heat Pumps. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production – namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
Thermal Solar Energy – By using different technologies, Solar Energy is effectively made up of two types of solar panels. First, we have Solar Water Heating Collectors, which absorb energy from the Sun and transfer this into hot water. Secondly, Photovoltaic heat collectors – often simply referred to as Solar Electrical Panels – which transform the 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 Solar Energy overall, Solar Water Power is most commonly used in the UK. Solar Water heating systems are extremely important – and can provide over half of the hot water needs for houses within the UK. The average cost of installing this type of equipment is expected to range from 500 to 1500 pounds for a DIY system, through to 2-5k for a professionally installed system.
Biomass Energy Based Systems: This term encompasses all forms of natural products – such as plant and animal material. Due to its adaptability, it can produce a range of energy forms – from heat and electricity through to combinations of both. Indeed, within the European Markets, the UK has some of the leading levels of Biomass material at hand. Added to all this, is the lack of C02 produced as a by-product of the whole process. As each tree felled, it is replaced by another. This helps to reduce the overall effect on C02.
To meet the need, fast growing trees, known as Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) are utilised. Perennial grasses are also responsible for large quantities of dry matter. Of equal importance, although maybe less well known, are Municipal and Agricultural Waste. To begin with, Agricultural Waste is often produced as part of the agricultural process overall. Because it comes from food or wood, Municipal Waste is also considered a useful biomass product.
Systems Using Geo-Thermal Energy – By naturally heating the Earth, the Sun has the potential to generate both warm water and electricity. By using the ground source temperature of approximately 12 degrees, we can either heat or cool buildings within the UK. Although heat pumps require energy to function, their rate of return is superb – being a four-fold benefit over the energy put in. Utilising the energy generated from wind turbines and solar electrical panels alongside heat source pumps, can make them alomst 100 percent renewable.
Wind Energy Systems: Wind Energy as a sustainable source of energy has been going on for millennia. However, in more recent times there’s been the option to recover the energy for its own sake – and deliver this either to a home unit or to the local power grid. The UK is considered as one of the best sources of wind generation within Europe. Although, within the UK we currently only utilise 1 percent of electricity from wind, yet the potential rests at a surprising 10 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. Having said that, the art of using energy from moving water (just like wind power) is very traditional. 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. The important thing is that, without having to rely on water storage, the turbines can generate electricity. A ‘Micro-Hydro’ system creates energy through the use of dams and sluices (that are no longer a part of the national distribution system.) This process alone could meet 200mW of the UK requirement. The expected cost of installing a system such as this would be between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of output.
Due to the energy requirements worldwide, ‘Green Energy’ is naturally growing at a fast rate. That said, the UK is well placed – especially in the domestic sector – to take full advantage of the items above.
Once again, it is the Electrician and Plumbing trades that are set to capitalise on the domestic installation process. A range of grants are available to support the growth of renewable energy ideas within the European market. It is important to gain the correct qualifications to install these items. To that end, it may be worth thinking about combined training. You can then get plumbing or electrical training along with green knowledge.
