Explaining Solar PV Training - Where To Go

by Jason Kendall

When our daily energy requirements are met by ‘Green Energy’, then we are using resources such as wind, tides or geothermal heat. They are thought to be ‘Green’ due to the fact that they are easily restored and natural. 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.

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: This term encompasses all forms of natural products - such as plant and animal material. Considering its ability to produce energy in the form of heat and electricity, this type of energy is extremely flexible. Furthermore, within the European Markets, the UK is one of the central producers of Biomass fuels. One of the main factors of this style of energy is the result without the impact on C02. To that end, many wood crops come from sustainable sources (as one tree is felled, another is planted in its place; thus the new tree absorbs the CO2 produced during the heating process.)

‘Energy Crops’ trees such as Willow and Poplar play a major part in the process - under the banner of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Perennial grasses also produce a high yield of dry matter. Within this process also sits the lesser known Agricultural and Municipal Wastes. Agricultural Waste is commonly formed as a by-product of traditional agricultural work. Another biomass source is that of municipal waste - and this comes from recycled wood or food.

Geo-Thermal Energy Systems… This is primarily the heating of the Earth (mainly from the sun) and can be utilised in electricity and warm water production. Heating or cooling properties in the UK can be achieved using the ground source heat temperature of around 12 degrees centigrade. Whilst these heat pumps require energy to operate, their rate of return is excellent - being four units produced for every one unit used. Heat source pump energy can go one step further (by gaining a 100 percent return) if the energy to power them comes from items such as wind turbines or solar electrical panels.

Systems Based On Wind Energy: When you consider the milling of grain and pumping of water, it is easy to see how long wind energy has been with us. Whether to your home or to a local grid, when the energy has been generated it must be delivered to a point of usage - and cannot be stored. To be fair, the UK has the highest level of wind generation within Europe. It is interesting to note that whilst we can produce 10 percent of our entire power requirement from wind power, at present we only produce 1 percent. Rather than electricity production running at 2-10 p per kWh, it could be run at 2p per kWh. Therefore, recovery of cost takes approximately 6-9 months overall.

Finally, we have Hydropower; an area in which the UK does well within Europe. The ability to utilise energy from moving water, much like wind power, has been going on for thousands of years. 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. 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.

Because of the energy need of the Western World, we are now seeing a rapid rise in ‘Green Energy’. The UK is very well placed to provide most of the schemes set out above, and the UK domestic market again is one of the key beneficiaries of this technology.

Electricians and Plumbers in particular are expected to provide the main thrust of domestic installation expertise. With ‘Green Energy’ rising up the political agenda in Europe, a range of financial aids and grants are becoming available. This is a new industry - but getting the right certification can only improve job security and opportunities for the future. Electrical or plumbing training that incorporates green technology could be very useful for the future.

About the Author:
Written by Scott Edwards. Go to Renewable Energy Certification or Click HERE.

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Posted on February 28th, 2010 by Jason Kendall in Uncategorized | .
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