Training to be a plumber or gas fitter now carries responsibilities for implementing Government initiatives for implementing renewable ‘green energy’ for use in the home or workplace. Incorporated into a plumber’s work will be energy assessment and courses are available to learn this increasingly vital service. Solar PV systems are one of the renewable energy sources that you can have your property assessed for and have the panels easily and safely installed on your roof without the usual kind of local planning problems.
Training on a Solar heating course to understand the necessary theory and learn the practical knowledge for correct and safe installation is undoubtedly becoming an essential skillset for a plumber to undertake.
Solar systems are not new, and have been used around the world for many years. With over 40,000 systems installed in the UK alone, solar power is becoming the leading source of providing alternative energy. In the UK we receive sufficient sunshine to provide up to 70% of our annual domestic hot water needs from a well designed solar installation and this type of system will also reduce harmful emissions by up to 500 kg per square metre of panel per year.
Solar hot water and heating systems are becoming both more affordable and efficient, helped by government initiatives such as the reduction in VAT to 5% on both parts and labour for domestic installations which can demonstrate an improvement to energy efficiency.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a solar water heater is a long-term investment, representing real cost and energy saving and providing insurance against energy price increases.
Solar water heaters can operate in any climate, preferably with an unshaded, south-facing location (a roof, for example) on your property. Performance varies depending, in part, on how much solar energy is available and system operating efficiency is also dependent on the coldness of the in coming water.
