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.

The range of renewable energy technologies utilised within the home environment includes both Solar Thermal, and Solar Water Heating Collectors. For electricity created through roof-installed panels, you would need Photovoltaic Panels or PV’s. Another key element is that of Biomass Energy, which relates to Stoves and Boilers burning Wood, Fuel and Pellets. Then there are the Ground Source Heat Pumps, which is simply the ground heat created by the Sun. When we think about Wind Power and Hydropower we have two of the more common forms of energy generation.

Solar Thermal Energy Systems – Also known as Solar Energy, this mainly uses two, albeit different types of solar panels to get the desired results. As a first strategy, we have Solar Water Heating Collectors – which basically creates hot water from solar energy. Added to this is the generation of electricity from solar radiation – known as Photovoltaism, or more commonly Solar Electrical panels. Typically, these panels are found on roofs – and need to be away from any light blocks such as trees, chimneys and other buildings.

With Solar Power being so common within the UK, it’s Solar Water Power that is most often used. With the ability to provide almost half the annual need for hot water in the house, Solar Water heating systems are very important. 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 and ‘Energy Crops’ – Historically, this has come from plants and animals, though nowadays this also includes new genetcially engineered ‘energy crops’. As such, this is a very versatile material and can be engineered to produce heat, electricity and a combination of heat and power in the form of electricity. It is interesting to note that the UK has some of the largest quantities of Biomass material to generate electricity within Europe. One of the main factors of this style of energy is the result without the impact on C02. Much of the UK wood crop is sustainable, in order to ensure that C02 produced during any heating process is absorbed.

A process called Short Rotation Coppice (SRC), utilising trees such as Willow and Poplar, is used to meet the demands of such ‘Energy Crops’. Also producing high yields of dry matter are the perennial grasses. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. Agricultural Waste is naturally formed as a by-product of conventional agricultural activity. Whereas Municipal Waste is derived from wood or food – and can be used for biomass energy.

Geo-Thermal Energy Systems… Used in the generation of both warm water and electricity, this energy mainly comes from the Sun and heats the Earth. In the UK, we are lucky that we can both heat and cool buildings from the ground source temperature of around 12 degrees. Heat pumps are recognised as a very good form of power generation, generally giving back four units of energy for every one used. By using energy from solar electrical panels or wind turbines to power them, heat source pumps can be almost 100 percent renewable in energy production.

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.

Finally, we have Hydropower; an area in which the UK does well within Europe. The field of using moving water to release energy is a very old technique – albeit we now do this in new ways. That said, this type of energy can generate around 2 percent of the total electrical demand for the UK.

Transforming the energy of moving water into another type (with the aid of a turbine) is known as a Hydropower system. By using a dam or a natural river drop, these turbines do not require water storage. ‘Micro-Hydro’ utilises a chunk of the outdated sluices and dam systems that have been killed off by the large national distribution methods. Although a lesser known form of electricity output, this process could supply 200mW of UK demand. Installing systems like this could cost between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.

It is the growing worldwide energy requirement that is causing the growth in ‘Green Energy’. The UK remains one of the main beneficiaries of this technology.

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.

(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Go to Click HERE or Solar Courses.