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Careers With Renewable Energy Certification

How do you fancy getting into a job in a growing and technologically advancing industry? Train to become a Green Engineer, and you can. Whether you want to work in the UK or overseas, you could be installing equipment that saves CO2 consumption and cuts energy bills within months of starting a course. Fuel prices are continuing to rise as gas and oil is steadily running out. Our homes cost too much to run and keep warm, and they give off too much CO2. We are all being encouraged to think more carefully about how we use energy, and where we can be more efficient.

In Britain grants of up to 80 per cent are being made available (and in some instances 100 per cent) to cover the labour costs of certain energy efficient improvements. So domestic engineers with the correct skill-sets can find themselves in high demand.

So if you're thinking about training to become a plumber or an electrician, why not gear your skill-set towards green energy? And if you're already a qualified tradesman or woman, you might think about bolt-on green courses to add to your portfolio.

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Defining Green Technology...

The term 'green technology' refers to anything that creates exploitable energy from our planet's natural resources.

The sun, the wind and the rain can all be utilised by green technology. Wind and water power had commercial uses many years ago, but now we can use the power of the sun for domestic purposes as well. Hence the opportunity for 'green collar' workers.

Solar Technology

Energy radiated from the sun can be converted into hot water through solar thermal systems. As the technology has been available for a while, we now have a large number of systems to choose from. A UK family could expect to get most of their hot water from a modern solar system from June to September. The average domestic solar heating system should reduce CO2 emissions by 0.4 - 0.75 tonnes per annum. There are various configurations for solar hot water systems, with either flat panel or evacuated tube collection systems. Both are easy to install and maintain, and ideally should be fitted to a south facing roof.

Another use for solar power is to create electricity. For this, we need photovoltaic or PV panels. PV panels can be installed on roofs or walls with good exposure to sunlight. A DC electric current is created which has to be converted to AC by an inverter which is usually placed in the loft. This solar PV electricity can be used for lighting and for various appliances.

Approximately forty percent of a household's electricity can be produced with a photovoltaic system. Users can therefore benefit financially over time as well as ecologically. They also automatically sell electricity back to the National Grid if their system produces more than they use.

The going rate for PV electricity has been increased by the government in 2010, which makes for a better return on the original investment of the system. In Britain an average of 850 kWh of electricity a year is generated for every kWp of solar PV installed. Put in perspective, the average household consumes approximately 4,700 kWh a year.

Geo-Thermal Energy

Geothermal heat is the term used for the ground source heat that is stored naturally under the ground. Collector piping is placed down in the earth and fed with a special non-damaging solution that can't freeze. The circulating solution collects the natural heat and takes it to the heat pump. This heat can be used to warm the water for heating systems. Ground source heat pumps will lower household fuel bills. They need a small amount of electricity to run them, but can produce four or five times as much as they consume.

Progressive Evolution

A good training course will prepare you for a rewarding career as a competent green engineer. You can expect to study and qualify in certain essential electrical and plumbing skills, and gain newer certifications that cover green energy. The majority of your work is likely to be advising on and installing solar panels and heat pumps, so be sure you've got those covered. Training programmes are moving with the times, and will evolve as time goes on. Your course may also offer options on how to install rainwater harvesting systems or grey water recycling systems for example.

A Future-Proof Career

The law now dictates that all homes sold in Britain must supply the new owners with an Energy Performance Certificate to illustrate energy usage and where efficiencies can be made. These reports frequently demonstrate how 000's can be saved over a few years. Plus there are financial incentives in the UK for homeowners to upgrade their energy efficiency, providing systems are fitted by installers with appropriate certifications.

Let's look to the near future though. Today renewable energy provides less than two percent of all domestic energy. But by twenty sixteen the law states that for every new property built that figure must be fifteen percent. We can't ignore the changes that must inevitably come, so why not get ahead of the crowd and secure your future now?