If you are looking to install a renewable energy installation for your home you need to do a bit of homework before you get started.  This will make it possible for you to quickly and easily discover the methods that will help you the most, while ensuring that you are getting a solution worked out that will provide you with the power that you need.  As you might imagine, a good renewable energy installation should not only be affordable but also effective.  Not knowing what you are going to look at in terms of pricing can be quite scary, so having some numbers to work with in advance can help you to best solve any problems.

A good idea before starting any renewable energy installations is to determine what your actual power needs are.  By knowing this information you will be able to best select a solar panel system that will meet your needs, and ensure that you have all of the proper equipment so that you can truly maximize your investment.  Not having proper equipment, or a system that is large enough will make it virtually impossible for you to really get what you need, at a price that is affordable.

Boots on the Roof is currently enrolling students into its upcoming Solar PV training boot camp. To learn more about dates, locations, and course details,  click here.

Currently, classic fuels represent the main sources of energy around the globe (almost 70%): oil, gas, wood or coal.  Water plants and nuclear plants generate the rest. An amazing statistic indicates that a third of the energy produced is used for heating and for producing hot water. Considering the accelerated rhythm of population growth as well as the development of technology, it is imperative to find cheap and renewable energy resources. In addition, it has already become clear that there are negative effects of using the classic resources (dependency of resources and common networks, pollution). Perhaps the most important thing is that classic resources are becoming more expensive, reaching new price records each year. Solar panel systems have a series of advantages compared to the traditional sources of energy:

• They produce free energy;
• Solar panel systems are ecological, they don’t affect the environment or produce residues;
• Energy produced by solar panel systems is drainless;
• Solar panel systems don’t need complicated equipment for processing or transporting the resources, prior their usage.

There are many companies specializing in producing solar panel systems. Solar panel systems work on a simple principle: they convert solar radiation in heat and the heat is used for heating water. Therefore, you can obtain hot water for domestic purposes or for heating systems. Moreover, electricity produced by solar panel systems is far more convenient than the classic energy bill you see every month. There are absolutely no drawbacks when it comes to solar panel systems. Whether you decide to use them for lowering your energy or heating expenses or for gaining independence from the traditional energy networks, solar panel systems are an excellent choice.

Boots on the Roof, a leading Renewable energy training institute, is enrolling students into its Solar Thermal Training classes. For more information on qualifications, Training Dates and Locations, click here.

A FOX news interview with Renewable Ventures CEO Matt Cheney on funding for solar energy.

Boots on the Roof, a leading Renewable energy training institute, is enrolling students into its Solar Energy Training classes. For more information on qualifications, Training Dates and Locations, click here.

The U.S. House of Representatives has recently signed into law legislation that can only be described as historic legislation and will finally take significant steps toward moving the U.S. over to a clean energy economy. President Obama, along with the U.S. Energy Secretary, made an announcement on June 29 that they intend to get behind aggressive ways to increase efficient energy production and save U.S. energy consumers a potential amount estimated to be in the billions of dollars on a yearly basis. Their announcement highlights how clean, renewable energy not only makes sense on an environmental front, but it also makes sense in an uncertain economic climate by creating a whole new class of jobs and saving money for the American energy consumer. The Recovery Act encourages Americans to add renewable solar and wind technology to their homes in an effort to reduce dependency on foreign fossil-based fuels.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is rich in solar power info and can answer questions like what makes up a solar power system, what the parts do, how to determine if a solar energy system is economical for a homeowner, how to maintain and repair them. They can even help a potential buyer determine whether it is more economical to be on or off a local utility power grid.

The office also keeps track of what governmental incentives and rebates are available to anyone considering installing a solar power system in their home or business. One of the top points of the new energy legislation is making investments in energy efficient technology a priority of the Recovery Act.

Boots on the Roof, a leading Renewable energy training institute, is enrolling students into its Solar Energy Training classes. For more information on qualifications, Training Dates and Locations, click here.

One of the main issues in the recent US elections focused on government investments and dedication toward finding sustainable, cost-effective energy sources. Not that the world’s supply of oil is near depletion. Besides being harmful to the environment, the world, not just Americans, hates being dependent on foreign oil. Thus, the need to look for sustainable, alternative energy sources.

This move away from oil-powered energy plants, gas-driven cars and use of depletable fuel sources has prompted this present trend toward alternative sources of fuel. As governments and private organizations continue to invest in research and development, technologies that have been known to work well, such as those tapping solar energy, are taking the frontiers. Solar heating training for professionals and skilled workers are in high demand in the construction industry to address the growing need for solar-powered facilities.

The Demand in Numbers

Solar panel installations around the world were nearly 6000 megawatts, more than double the number of solar panel installations in 2007. Demand for solar energy grows at a staggering 30% annually in the last decade and a half. Last year’s increased worldwide demand was due to government attention. Germany’s Feed-in law made it the second largest market in 2008. US markets increased to 357 megawatts; Japan is now the sixth largest market worldwide. PV cell manufacturers worldwide produced a total of 6.85 gigawatts in 2008.

Solar Career Opportunities

Obviously, with the market growing, there’s a surge of jobs and various career opportunities in the solar industry. And it’s only a subset of an even larger industry – renewable energy sources industry. Here are some of the many career opportunities for professionals with solar heating training:

• Sales engineers: It’s a new industry and the demand for highly qualified sales people are on the rise. Sales engineers whose expertise lie in solar panel installations, design of solar heating systems and other custom solar-powered energy-saving products can help speed up the process of bringing clean energy sources to communities.

• Technical support staff: As is the current trend in business, an after-sales support service is vital in keeping customers happy. The renewable energy sources industry needs it’s version of professional staff to man its phone lines, websites and other customer feedback channels. If you’re already familiar with the customer service industry, solar heating training will give you that edge to become part of a highly technical new industry.

• Trainers and Teachers: Solar training is a growing business as well. With new industries spurring a high demand of skilled workers, educational institutions are pooling experts to train workers for the industry. This presents an excellent opportunity for those who already are in the field to take on leadership roles and train others to join them. Engineers, architects and others in the construction and energy industry could obtain more specialized skills with solar training.

The demand in the renewable energy market will be filled some time in the future. But just like the internet, it’s here to stay. Trends will change, practices will improve but those who have positioned themselves as key players when the market was young will remain valuable. So, even if you’re still a bit skeptical, you can’t go wrong with an additional skill.

With the cost of electricity having increased every year for the last 20 years, the need for a more efficient, less environmentally damaging, renewable energy resource will be growing. Experts estimate that those receiving a solar energy education and entering the solar technology sector will experience unprecedented growth, even in today’s uncertain economy.

Solar panel install training is becoming more and more valuable as incentives are being offered as local and state or regional governments pass legislation to foster the increase in the number of smaller, individual solar generation systems. Like was accomplished in Hawaii, this legislation is designed to let individual systems reach parity with the local utility grid in terms of how much electricity is generated by the individual systems as versus the bigger utilities.

Grid parity is defined as being the point at which electricity generated through photovoltaic means is equal to or cheaper in price per kilowatt hour than that of grid power generated by the regional utility. This parity is expected to be achieved first in areas that have both abundant sunlight, yet has high costs for electricity as is found in California or Japan. Industry experts have predicted that the majority of the US will reach grid parity by the year 2015, although some report that this parity could be achieved by as soon as 2011.

The point of a solar energy education is to allow the installation of littler, systems that are placed on structures where no photosynthetic plants will be growing normally, making this form of electricity generated designated as a completely renewable resource since it has no CO2 emissions, nor will it impact on any renewable resources in the form of biomass (i.e. the production of corn which is used in the manufacture of biofuels).

Solar panel install training, usually offered for the use of smaller, individual systems, can sometimes extend to larger systems able to track the movement of the sun. The smaller systems have the solar panels set in a stationary, fixed position which allows the maximum amount of sunlight to hit them. They are usually combined with a net meter which allows the accurate measurement of power bought off the grid as well as any excess wattage generated by the solar panels, and which must be purchased from the homeowner by law.

The larger systems, sometimes referred to as “solar farms” are usually used by utilities because they can produce such large amounts of electricity. These systems have the solar collectors mounted on a mobile arrangement that can track the sun’s movement across the sky and move the panels accordingly so they can obtain a maximum exposure to sunlight during daylight hours.

A solar energy education in the form of classes which impart solar panel install training and/or solar power installation training will prove to be the doorway to the availability of a whole new range of jobs that will prove to be viable well into the future.

One of the best organizations on the private front has best been served by an energy association known as Boots on the Roof. Boots is fast becoming a world renowned solar training institute based in North America.

Because of the huge shortage of qualified technicians, Boots offers online solar training paired with hands-on workshops located all over the world, intended to test the practical knowledge of the student. These courses will help fill the holes in understaffed teams of technicians needed to install, maintain and repair the systems used in a residential and corporate solar systems. These instructor-led  and Online Solar PV classes can also provide a stepping stone into careers with the bigger solar power companies.

Solar companies are experiencing a rapid rate of growth as America looks to find a clean, renewable energy source that doesn’t have to rely on the consumption of fossil fuels to generate electricity. President Obama is also supporting aggressive steps to bring numerous, smaller solar generators online to aid the large solar power companies meet the growing need for sustainable power. When the smaller systems are hooked into the utility grid of the big solar companies, any overages generated by the smaller systems can be added to what the big solar power companies produce for the use of any consumer.

Financial incentives are now being offered to the public to create a true solar power house, through the construction of new houses that take advantage of green technology like solar-powered electricity, solar lighting, solar heating and solar hot water systems. Some houses can also be retrofit with the newer technologies during remodeling, but as a general rule, new builds can take advantage of a whole new range of designs that can maximize ambient lighting that won’t need electric lights, or heating systems that can heat indoor spas or pools using solar power, and thus help provide heat to the interior of the structure. Some newer technologies include materials incorporated into the walls that can capture radiant solar heat and store it for gradual release during cooler nighttime hours.

Boots on the Roof offers both the online PV training as well as instructor led classes in nation wide locations. For more information on the solar training courses and dates, click here.

Perhaps you’re a non-core staff at a construction firm. Or you could be a sales staff at a construction firm who has been bypassed for promotion several times. You know your colleagues routinely earn credit units from various programs for continuing education. Now you are looking to position yourself well by acquiring specialized skills for future trends. If you need to acquire specialized skills to put yourself back in the market again, consider solar training.

Solar training provides you with basic knowledge and skills that are vital to everyone in the solar industry. Even the basic preparatory course eases your entry into this fast-growing field. Learn the basics of the market – electricity, safety and the various PV market components and applications. Understanding the basics of the solar market components and a general appreciation of the benefits of solar products and services puts you in an excellent position to sell. Tap into new markets and expand the need for present products. Solar training can give a sales engineer the things they need to know to get into the market.

Solar training can give you the coveted knowledge or skill few, if any, in your company has. If you work for a construction, architecture or design firm, you should recognize that there’s a bright future for professionals going green. If Bill Gates’ $147-million home in Washington State is any indication of future trends, engineers and architects with solar training or who have extensive knowledge and the required skills to build a solar-powered facility like that will prove valuable to businesses for a long time.

Solar training opens doors of career opportunities. Everyone knows that the market for renewable energy sources is expanding exponentially. Governments and private organizations are all going green. The surge of green jobs all over the world demands professionals that are technically capable of handling the demands in this specialized industry. If you are in the oil and gas industry, for example, you don’t have to sit idly and watch while the oil market is taken over by cleaner fuel. Get solar training and position yourself as a valuable asset in this new market.

Solar training allows you to stay current. The world is changing and new practices emerge. Continuing professional education is not just about acquiring credit units but acquiring relevant skills that are responsive to current trends. Green is the color theme of the day and those who keep themselves current will continue to find relevance in tomorrow’s world. It doesn’t take much to stay in touch with how the world works. Keep yourself informed and take continuing education seriously. Make each credit unit count and position yourself well in tomorrow’s markets.

You can save more with solar-powered systems at home. Solar training can be useful to you. Is your home-heating cost eating up a huge chunk of your monthly income? It’s an investment well worth looking into. And because of the rising demand and limited supply, it’s relatively expensive to have photovoltaic cells installed at home. So Get Solar Trained!

“Solar living”, “green houses, “smart” appliances, “going green” – these aren’t just the day’s catchwords; these are all phrases used to describe a way of life. In the past decade or so however, they’ve also come to describe a way of working.

If you’re new in the field and looking for a career, or if you have a career but you’d like to increase your knowledge and skills base, you’re in luck. Your position doesn’t have to be high technology, like a PV Project Engineer. Thanks to the new federal incentives for solar energy, more than 440,000 jobs for installation and manufacturing will be opening up within the solar industry.

Even without the federal incentives, the need for people with solar training grows each year. Environmental groups argue against carbon pollution; homeowners looking for lower energy costs pay roofers with solar training to replace their old asphalt tiles with solar panels and PV arrays; companies and individuals who use solar energy receive tax credits. As the demand for products from the solar industry rise, so does the need for those who can develop, manufacture and install those products.

This remains true even through the current economic crisis; having a green job ensures job security in a shaky economic climate. Billions of dollars are being spent on solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing, installation and maintenance, green building and any number of energy efficient and sustainable energy methods. According to Greenpeace and the Worldwatch Institute, green jobs may be one of the keys to economic stabilization.

People in the construction industry, such as general contractors, are some of those that could take advantage of solar courses and certification. Most solar training for general contractors isn’t so much learning about new things, as learning a new way to do old things. For instance, a trained general contractor will ensure that new buildings meet the high performance standards necessary to receive Green certification.

In addition, retrofitting old buildings to become energy efficient adds jobs for solar trained workers, engineers, electricians and others. Retrofitting may actually turn into a more lucrative position than building, as there are more non-compliant buildings than there are Green certified buildings.

The lack of workers with solar training isn’t confined to one area: Connecticut just created a $9 million fund for investments in starting companies focused on clean technology jobs. Hawaii plans to stop using fossil fuels within the next ten years, moving to renewable, sustainable energy. An agreement to allow customers with solar panels to sell power back to the Hawaiian Electric Company was signed in November of this year, though not brought into law. In Oregon, over 1,700 solar jobs are either available or opening since Gov. Ted Kulongoski began luring renewable energy jobs to the state.

Everywhere across America and the globe, solar jobs are opening up and people with solar education are needed. If you don’t have a field yet, or would like to expand your field, look into solar training. The opportunities are endless!

The world has experienced a huge growth in technology and civilization for the past couple of decades where digital life is slowly taking over and now people of all ages are starting to get used to it because of the convenience that it brings. The industries that are providing these technologies are growing due to the high demand, but some of the renewable energy sectors that are experiencing explosive growth still seek qualified people to keep up with the growth.

Solar energy is one perfect example of a technology that has evolved into the mainstream and now these sectors are searching high and low for people to continue and enhance the technology for future generations. You can keep up with the growth of solar energy through solar training and following these other tips.

Discovering the Current Trends
Solar energy has been a dominant force the past few years and it applications of solar energy are only getting better. The best way to be more aware of the current trends is to subscribe to various technology blogs. Whether it is about mobile technology or home improvement technology or anything about computers, solar energy topics are bound to show up in these areas.

One example of a growing trend is the solar powered mobile phones that are recently in development. You can find more information about that in various mobile technology blogs and other news sites. Watching TV and news channels also gives you some awareness of the growing trends of solar energy.

Seeking Solar Training
The energy sectors are not letting the fact that they are lacking skilled workers pass and these sectors are responding by setting up solar training programs. These solar training programs won’t work unless there is a driving will on the people’s side to get involved with solar energy and other renewable energy sectors. Try going online and look for these solar training programs as some of them can be held online complete with interactive demonstrations and other interesting content. Check around your local communities or ask friends on the community’s stance on solar energy.

Going Hands On
Even if you don’t have any knowledge whatsoever on solar energy and solar training is out of your reach, try going hands on by searching for do-it-yourself or DIY projects related to solar energy that help give you an idea on how beneficial solar energy can be. These projects will not only help you save electricity in your home, but also convince you further in getting involved with solar training programs. Many of the DIY projects are fun to do, simple to accomplish, and require very little investment to get started. You can find many free resources by searching online or buying eBooks that highlight quality projects.

Keeping up with the growth of solar energy is good for your future career because technology’s direction is towards solar energy and that means more job opportunities for people that have experience through solar training.