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 Energy Systems: This technology is based around two core types of system. Firstly, there are elements that absorb energy from the sun and create hot 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. To get the best results these panels need to be south facing at an angle of around 30 degrees from horizontal, and away from blockages.

Within Solar Energy overall, Solar Water Power is most commonly used in the UK. With the capacity to deliver 50 percent plus of a household\’s hot water requirement annually, Solar Water heating systems are crucial to energy in the UK. 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 – 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.

By the growth of Short Rotation Crops (SRC), the UK is able to maximise the \’Energy Crops\’ return overall. Of equal importance is the ability to produce dry matter – and perennial grasses are very good for this. Of equal importance, although maybe less well known, are Municipal and Agricultural Waste. One natural offshoot of agricultural work is Agricultural Waste. Because it comes from food or wood, Municipal Waste is also considered a useful 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.

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. It is by using the eroded national distribution systems, that allows for outdated sluices and dams to be used by techniques known as \’Micro-Hydro\’. Having said that, this process could still generate 200mW of the National Capacity. When considering the installation cost of items such as this, we\’re looking at somewhere between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.

\’Green Energy\’ is growing – mainly due to the demands of the Western World. To be fair, the UK domestic market is actually leading the resurgence, with a variety of schemes.

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.

(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Pop to Renewable Energy Certification or Green Engineer Certification.