24 South West Building & Construction
March 2011 ENVIRONMENT
Weston College’s new solar
energy course
THE chance to learn practical skills in solar energy technology is being offered by Weston College in Somerset with a new course in Photovoltaics (PV). The five-day Solar PV Panel Installation Level 3 course is aimed at electricians who want to extend the scope of their work, and become involved in this rapidly expanding industry. Students will learn to work with the main grid-connected PV systems available in the UK market, covering installations up to 5kW output. Other subjects covered on the course include regulations and standards, AC and DC theory, cell types and benefits and circuit design. The course is being held at the
college’s new Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence on Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare.
An increasing amount of households are going green and
having solar PV panels fitted in a bid to reduce bills and protect the environment. PV cells capture and convert sunlight, even on a cloudy day, into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting. According to a recent survey by accountancy firm Price Waterhouse Cooper, the UK’s solar PV market could grow by more than 30 times its current level by 2015. This is largely as a result of the introduction of Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs), which provide a subsidy for small-scale renewable energy generation. Recently, the Glastonbury Festival site saw the installation of the UK’s biggest private solar PV plant, with an estimated generation of 200kW of power. Course tutor Russell Grainge said: ‘This is the first course of its kind that Weston College has offered and demand is high
Nick Turner is aiming to start the new course.
already. The need for competent solar PV installers has gone up thanks to various Government requirements and initiatives, so this course is reflective of that need and we are pleased to be ahead of the game.’
Those who complete the course will then be qualified to become Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificated.
This is an
independent scheme that certifies microgeneration products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. Weston College Principal and
Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips said: ‘The photovoltaic course will appeal to anyone who sees the potential for solar power and recognises that it is becoming a big growth area. Weston College is delighted to be at the forefront of training in renewable technology and this proves we are a market leader in terms of the courses we offer.’ For further information about the course, please contact Weston College’s Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) on 01934 411777.
CPD seminars on solar power
DESIGNER and installer of photovoltaic solar energy systems, Becosolar, part of Kier Energy Innovations, has introduced a series of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars offering guidance on PV systems and wind generation for buildings.
The presentations offer information on regulatory and economic factors surrounding the use of solar energy including BREEAM assessment, the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Feed-in Tariff which will bring a significant financial benefit to generating renewable energy. Planning permission, permitted development and design factors such as orientation and pitch of the panels for optimum efficiency, mounting brackets and vertical support systems are explained in the seminars aimed at architects, mechanical and engineering consultants, contractors, housebuilders and developers. As well as explaining the technology behind solar power and the PV cells, the seminar explores the need for solar power as the most effective technology for reducing CO2 emissions from
Guidance is given on photovoltaic systems and wind generation for buildings.
Philip Mitchell at one of the CPD seminars.
buildings and as positive financial investment. Issues and considerations for the use of a combined solar and wind turbine system are also given in the CPD seminars, alongside case study examples of successful installations.
The nationwide seminars are carried out by Philip Mitchell, Business Development Manager, Hilary White who is Technical Services Manager for the company or Peter Mercer, Sales Manager.
Philip Mitchell believes that the CPD seminars are valuable in informing attendants of the benefits of sustainable solutions. He said: ‘By involving architects and mechanical and engineering consultants at the design stage, we are able to get renewable energy technologies designed into a building, making it more aesthetically pleasing and cost effective.
‘Buildings are required to be more CO2 efficient than in the past and PV is the most effective
way of reducing the CO2 footprint of the building.’ Becosolar is a company specialising in designing, supplying and installing solar PV energy systems both on and off the grid. With over 20 years’ experience, Becosolar is one of the UK’s longest established solar energy solutions providers for domestic, commercial, industrial and marine applications.
Further information is
available from Kier Energy Innovations Beco Limited on 01803 866329, by emailing
info@becosolar.com or by visiting the company’s website,
www.becosolar.com.
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