Studying For Solar Courses
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It is by using natural resources such as tidal or wind energy - collectively known as ‘Green Energy’ - that we could meet our daily energy needs. They’re all considered naturally able to replenish - and thereby ‘Green’. It is easy to think that we may be travelling back in time when we think of items such as wind power and windmills. Generally, this is the result of using up to date ideas, specifically those that are planet friendly and eco-efficient.
The range of renewable energy technologies utilised within the home environment includes both Solar Thermal, and Solar Water Heating Collectors. It is equipment such as Photovoltaic Panels (PV’s) that develop electricity through suitable roof-panels. Then there are Stoves that burn Bio-Pellets - which make up the subject commonly known as Biomass Energy. Then we have the ancient energy of the Sun and the heat that comes from it - now called Ground Source Heat Pumps. Lastly, there are two of the more historical forms of energy production - namely Wind Turbines and Hydropower.
Thermal Energy Systems: By using different technologies, Solar Energy is effectively made up of two types of solar panels. Making hot water from solar energy is the first stage - and is known as Solar Water Heating Collection. Then we have the work of the Photovoltaic Heat Collectors, often called Solar Electrical Panels - which transform solar radiation into electricity. Across the board, Solar Panels should be mounted on a south facing roof, at an angle of 30 degrees away from horizontal - and to some extent away from blocking trees, surrounding buildings and chimneys.
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. 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 Systems - This is a general term for all forms of plant and animal material e.g. wood, straw, poultry litter and ‘energy crops’. It is by using these materials in new ways to create energy that makes it so exciting. It is a useful point to make that the UK is one of the major producers of Biomass fuels within Europe. It is the minimal C02 produced, alongside the actual energy production, that makes this attractive to the markets. Having a tree planted in place of another (that is felled for energy production) helps overall.
‘Energy Crops’ trees such as Willow and Poplar play a major part in the process - under the banner of 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. One natural offshoot of agricultural work is Agricultural Waste. Municipal Waste such as food or wood can also be utilised as a biomass product.
Geo-Thermal Energy: Basically this is the warming of the Earth from the Sun - and is often used in the manufacture of warm water and electricity. By using the ground source temperature of approximately 12 degrees, we can either heat or cool buildings within the UK. With four units replaced for every one unit of energy used, these heat pumps are very effective. Utilising the energy generated from wind turbines and solar electrical panels alongside heat source pumps, can make them alomst 100 percent renewable.
Wind Energy - An Update On Old Technology: As an energy source, wind energy has to be one of the oldest forms of energy creation in history. Where the local power grid demands it, energy can be diverted and sold there. To be fair, the UK has the highest level of wind generation within Europe. The fact remains that in the UK, there exists the ability to realise 10 percent of our electricity requirement from wind power - as opposed to the current value of just 1 percent. Although electricity is still being produced from between 2-10 p per kWh, it could be generated from as little as 2p per kWh. Recovery of the cost involved is somewhere between 6-9 months.
Hydropower is a method that suits the UK energy production system. The field of using moving water to release energy is a very old technique - albeit we now do this in new ways. It is this type of energy production that could meet 2 percent of all the UK’s demand.
Using a turbine, a Hydropower system can transform the energy of water into other forms. Utilising natural river runs, or water drop-offs (through dams,) the turbines can work without a reservoir of water. A ‘Micro-Hydro’ system creates energy through the use of dams and sluices (that are no longer a part of the national distribution system.) Having been reviewed recently, this form of electricity supply could provide 200mW of the UK capacity. Installing systems like this could cost between 200 pounds and 3k per kW of energy created.
The demand on ‘Green Energy’ continues to develop - in light of the energy demands worldwide. 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. Grants and financial aid is also set to increase within the EEC and the UK - as ‘Green Energy’ gets ever higher status. As a new industry, there are a range of new certificates to gain. To cover both ends, you could consider electrical or plumbing training along with green systems.
(C) 2009 - S. Edwards. Try Solar Energy Training or www.electriciancoursesuk.co.uk/Solar-Energy-Courses.html.