What Is a Solar Installer-Roofer?

Solar Installer-Roofers are the people who install solar panels and solar cells in the roofs of residential and commercial buildings.  Currently, trained, qualified Solar Roofers are hard to come by these days, even in our quickly growing “green” economy.  Why?  Because a Solar Roofer must not only possess the trade skills and construction experience of a roofer, but must also be a competent solar electrician.

Solar Roofs

There are basically two different types of solar roofing jobs being done today: retrofitting and integrated.  Retrofitting is installing a solar panel on an existing roof.  Integrating is incorporating solar cells and panels into a new roof being built.

Solar electrician skills are less important for retrofitting solar roofing.  This is a relatively easy job.  It basically consists of mounting one or more solar panels on an existing roof, and feeding the wiring though the roof to the battery banks.  A regular roofer could do this, and leave the wiring to an electrician.

Retrofitted solar roofs, however, have many drawbacks.  Solar panels are bulky, more exposed to the elements of wind, rain, and snow, and many consider them to be an eyesore that drags down property values.  Consequently, integrated solar roofing has become increasingly popular.  The solar panels are actually built into the roof, the sides more or less flush with the rest of the roof.  Such solar panels are less exposed to harsh weather and more aesthetically pleasing.  It’s still obvious, however, that you have solar panels on your roof.

To compensate for this problem, solar cell manufactures have started producing “solar shingles.”  These are specialized roofing shingles that have photovoltaic solar cells built into them, but otherwise appear to be the same shape, size, and color as regular asphalt shingles.  Solar shingles can provide an entire building roof that is essentially one big solar panel, but (from a distance, at least) looks like any other roof.  Although solar shingle roofs are increasingly popular, they have also increased the demand for Solar Installer-Roofers.

Unlike solar panels in which all the solar cells are already wired together, solar shingles must be wired together into a solar array as they are applied to the roof.  Furthermore, the solar shingles need to be installed and wired together before the rest of the roof is installed with regular shingles, so that the wires from the solar shingles can be run along the ridge cap of the roof, where they are hidden from sight and protected from harsh weather.

Requirements for Becoming a Solar Installer-Roofer

Solar Installer-Roofers are usually made rather than found.  Unfortunately, few people today possess both roofing trade skills and solar electronics training.  Therefore, solar roofing companies either hire roofers and train them to be solar electricians or hire solar electricians and train them to install roofs.

If you are already a roofer, enter a two-year program in electrical engineering at a community college or vocational school.  Another option is an electrician apprenticeship trade program.  Either way, this should give you the electrical knowledge and experience necessary to qualify for a Solar Installer-Roofer position.  For there, your employer should train you on the specifics of their methods and equipment.

On the other hand, if you are already have an Associates or Bachelors in electrical engineering, or are a certified electrician, you’ll need to train to become a roofer as well.  Vocational schools should at least offer a few classes in this construction skill, and some might even offer full programs.  Another route is to enter a roofing apprenticeship trade program.

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

Originally, solar street lights have been designed for use in isolated areas, or in locations where the electricity supply was damaged by certain unexpected events. Fortunately, the technology has progressed immensely in the last decade. Solar street lights are now easy to install, affordable and reliable. They last for years and require minimum maintenance.

Such features really count in times of economic distress such as the ones we go through. Public lighting has become expensive, slowly affects the environment and consumes a large part of the electrical energy produced for utilities. Considering the fact that we simply cannot cut off the street electricity, we must adhere to cost-convenient and reliable sources like solar energy for street lights. Few of the benefits of switching to solar street lights are:

• solar street lights deliver the same light intensity as the classic lights;
• solar street lights are economic;
• Solar public lighting is environmental-friendly.

It is recommended to integrate solar street lights in a well-designed network in order to provide the scouted results. Take note that solar street lights don’t just work anywhere. The specific of the environment and the implementation process will determine the required type of solar street lights. There is a big difference between solar street lights and the average solar garden lights we buy from the local store. Solar street lights must ensure road safety and security; therefore, authorities must implement highly effective solutions. There are endless opportunities in the Solar Energy Industry.

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.

Every wonder how solar panels are made? Learn.  Watch this video:

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.

A video about our Solar Thermal Training class, optimized for Plumbing, Swimming Pool & General Contractors looking to add solar-thermal systems to their existing service offerings. HVAC Contractors,Architects or Engineers with experience in plumbing, pumps or piping are also welcome.

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.

Adding a home solar power system is an investment that more and more Americans are expected to make in the future. The benefits of installing a solar power system are equally economic and environmentally responsible in nature. Depending on the kind of components installed, a solar energy system can provide the power necessary to heat a home and provide all the hot water necessary in a home.

Economically, adding a solar power generator makes sense in several ways. Houses fitted with green technology are retaining their value, even during the current economic downturn. Experts are predicting that houses like these will continue to hold their value while those that do not employ green technology most likely will not.

Another economic advantage is that a solar power generator will allow the consumer to sell back any surplus wattage generated back to the local utility grid for others to use. By selling whatever power the homeowner doesn’t need, the homeowner can end up seeing a considerable savings in energy costs.

The final economic advantage comes in the form of the number of jobs the renewable energy field can provide in the future. As more and more American households switch over to using a solar energy system, the demand for solar training will continue to skyrocket, even during uncertain economic conditions. Likewise, there will continue to be a call for qualified technicians who can perform maintenance, or troubleshoot and effect repairs on the solar energy system once it has been installed. These new jobs will also prove to be a help for those who need to transition from older technologies that are rapidly going out of use.

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.

Although a slightly more expensive proposition in the beginning, installing solar PV panels can prove to be a good option for homeowners in the long run. Environmentally-conscious consumers looking to decrease and/or offset their carbon footprint (the amount of CO2 emissions any activity like power generation produces per person) have shown appreciation for the availability of solar generation technology.

Installing solar panels to generate electricity using a small solar energy system dovetails nicely into the financial means and beliefs of some house and small-business owners. Despite the fact that it takes time and money to research solar panel prices, buy, and maintain a solar generation system, a huge advantage that many people enjoy is the independence they gain and the knowledge that their actions are helping the environment.

This energy system can supply most or all electricity needs. Some people, like those living in remote areas, use the electricity generated by their systems instead of electricity supplied by electric utilities. This kind of generation system is called a stand-alone or off-grid system. Others connect their generation systems to the utility’s grid and use them to reduce the amount of conventional power needed from the grid. A grid-connected system lets the consumer sell any excess electrical power produced back to power utility helping to offset initial solar panels cost.

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

For the most part, there is no true solar power laptop available on the market today. Most can utilize solar power electricity either to run or recharge through the use of the solar power cell recharging converters that come configured in some sort of external device like a backpack. Most have to be purchased specially configured in 40 watt or 60-watt output to make sure that they can generate sufficient power to operate the laptop safely. The only true solar power laptop is a stripped down mini laptop known as a “netbook.” This solar power laptop was produced by a small Spanish company called iUnika, and comes equipped with solar panels built into the top of the unit.

The output of these panels is sufficient to charge the unit for use after about an hour of solar exposure. The iUnika unit may be upgraded to include wireless capabilities. Tech reviewers report that the device has sustainable components. The computer’s outer body is composed of bioplastics and materials that are biodegradable (i.e. made from cellulose and starch) making the end-of-life netbooks extremely easy to recycle when they are ready to be replaced. Beyond this lone example, it is clear that computer companies have some catching up to do to make a truly solar power laptop available to the average consumer. These companies are seeking employees with solar training to fill the gaps.

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

Flexible solar PV panels are an example of some of the newest technology that is proving to be a boon to those looking to find a green answer to the use of modern electronics considered to be essential to modern living.

Flexible solar panels have recently come into play in the form of portable solar systems that can be folded or rolled up to provide voltage from the sun for devices in areas that are too remote from or do not have access to electricity for allowing the use of electrically-dependant devices like emergency telephones, hair dryers, or radios. All of these things can easily be run from flexible solar panels using sunlight if the panel is opened out in the daylight. Some of these even have the capability of running more than one appliance at a time or come with the ability of storing power for use when there is no sunlight available to power anything.

Like the flexible solar panels, solar power cells have been put to good use of late, especially in the area of providing solar-based rechargers for electronic devices like laptop computers, MP3 players, and cell phones. Many of these solar power cells are coming in the form of wearable items like backpacks, briefcases or even jogging clothes. By wearing these items out or exposing them to sunlight, the solar power cells are able to provide a full charge to whatever device is hooked up to them. Some even come equipped with USB-type adapters to allow the recharging of some devices like the MP3 players or PDAs, which are normally recharged through connection to a computer’s USB port.

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

For anyone looking for solar energy information, especially on what is required to make use of solar power on an individual basis, there is a wealth of free information available from many different organizations.

One candidate in this arena is the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which has an extensive database surrounding solar energy. It thoroughly explains what solar power is, what is likely to be needed for different system uses, what each component is, and just exactly how it fits into each system. This includes solar electricity systems and solar hot water systems.

It is more important than ever to read up on steps being taken by the U.S. government to bring the American public into parity with other countries already making use of solar power. According to solar power information being reported by the media, in 2008, over half of renewable energy systems installed on a worldwide basis were done in the U.S. It is clear that the call for the installation of solar electrical panels will continue to grow in the coming years.

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.