When people hear the term renewable energy resources, many people think about fossil fuels. It is not that they can or cannot prove whether or not oil is actually a renewable energy source but that many people simply accept it on faith that it is. Reports back as far as the nineteen seventies indicated that we would be out of oil today and yet here we are, burning oil in even greater quantities and still not running on empty just yet. However, when people talk about renewable energy resources these days, it is hoped that at least someone will steer them towards truly renewable resources like wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power and other more natural methods of producing and generating electricity.

Hydroelectric power is very practical as evidenced by the Hoover Dam but it takes great rivers to produce electrical power sufficient enough to supply even small segments of the population. The environmental issues associated with dam building also make hydroelectric power questionable as a viable renewable energy source for anything more than limited and generally local use. While it is quite efficient, it is not the ideal solution for utilizing new alternative energy resources and will not likely provide enough power to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels to any great extent.

Geothermal power is regularly produced in many areas but again there are geographical limitations that prevent it from being a viable replacement for oil and coal. When discussing renewable energy resources, this has to be taken into consideration as the ultimate goal is to produce zero or as little as possible of the electricity that is consumed using fossil fuels.

The most viable method for using renewable energy resources to totally replace the dependence on fossil fuels is using a combination of wind and solar powers. Still, even the solar power generators have issues and create more environmental controversy so perhaps even that is only going to be of very limited use in replacing the energy production currently undertaken by burning fossil fuels. This leaves one very promising alternative. When it comes to renewable energy resources, solar power is among the most viable of all of the options. At present, there may be some limitations due to restrictions of space and the size needed to create a solar energy farm of any real merit but those obstacles are quickly being overcome with new solar energy technology.

The new solar power technologies of today already provide extremely efficient solar panels that produce more electricity in much less space than their predecessors did. The use of improved photovoltaic cells has increased efficiency to the point that solar power may very well be the ultimate replacement for fossil fuels. For renewable energy resources to be a viable alternative, they have to be able to replace energy that is dependent on fossil fuels altogether. The sun currently produces over four thousand times the amount of energy being consumed by all of humankind. The only difficulty is that this energy is not currently being harvested and utilized. As solar energy and solar power technologies become more advanced, more energy will be generated in less and less space. When speaking about renewable energy resources, solar power may just be the talk of the town and the answer to our current energy crisis.

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.

Solar roof tiles are one of the most recent innovations. Instead of choosing solar panel systems, solar roof tiles have a double advantage: they bring the same functionality in capturing solar radiation and they can be integrated discreetly in the design of the house. Solar panels can sometimes look bulky, but with the new variety of solar roof tiles, this small inconvenience was finally addressed.

Today, people who want to invest in clean, green solar energy can incorporate solar roof tiles into their home’s design. If you live in areas with a hot climate, such as the ones in south California, it will be super-easy to take advantage of solar roof tiles. Moreover, your house will not look very different from the rest of the houses in the area, because solar roof tiles look just like clay tiles, but they bring so much more when it comes to functionality.

• Solar roof tiles can generate up to 850 kilowatt-hours per year.
• If you wonder about how many solar roof tiles you need per square foot, we will give you a hint: generally, 30 tiles will cover 100 square feet of roof surface.
• Solar roof tiles are also available as solar power shingles. There is no difference between the two types and they both use thin solar film technology.

Solar panel tiles are kind of new on the market, so don’t expect to find them on the local producers. Our advice is to browse the Internet and find few companies that produce solar roof tiles. Make an order, and then enjoy lower electricity bills!

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.

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.

In the face of the current energy crisis, with virtually all of the traditional energy sources rapidly dwindling, there is an increasing interest in alternative energy sources. More and more sectors are realizing the bigger role that alternative energy will play in the coming years, and it is a trend that will likely continue for the foreseeable future. As you can imagine, this will result in plenty of job opportunities in alternative energy, particularly in the field of solar energy.

At present, thousands of new graduates from varying educational backgrounds are considering careers in the field of renewable energy. These fresh graduates are ideally positioned to fill the needs of financiers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, provided they have the skills and capabilities required in the industry. And that is where the quandary lies.

While there is undoubtedly an increasing demand for experienced and qualified personnel in virtually every aspect of renewable energy, the demand greatly outweighs the supply. At the root of this wide demand and supply gap in the labor market, is the incessant lack of programs which train students for careers in environmental jobs or green jobs. This void has begun to be addressed by a few educational institutes such as Boots on the Roof, a growing Solar Training institute in the heart of California, which is running a series of very successful solar training boot camps for students nationwide.

Interestingly enough, many of the professionals currently working in the renewable energy field began their education in other areas, even in fields that are totally unrelated. That being said, the best way to break into the solar energy industry is still by way of a thorough solar education as provided by traditional learning institutions, and Boots on the Roof is a good example to cite here.

The younger generations in particular have taken advantage of courses offered by an increasing number of colleges and universities in sustainability and renewable energy.

In spite of these programs and similar others, solar companies are still dealing with under-staffed teams due to lack of skilled manpower. Some renewable energy organizations that are currently existent are now offering corporate solar training programs which are targeted towards applicants of different capability levels and interests. Some companies even offer solar training courses for military veterans who are looking for careers in the private sector.

While technical knowledge and background in solar courses is undoubtedly essential for those who are seeking careers in renewable energy, some basic business knowledge will come in handy as well.