Renewable energy heats up business

A typical home uses about 21,000 kilowatts of energy per year and most of this is for space heating and hot water. Conventional energy generation comes from fossil fuels that produce large amounts of carbon dioxide. So, it's no surprise that renewable energy sources are growing in popularity, especially when you can sell back any surplus energy to your supplier.

‘Solar electric energy demand has grown by an average 30% per annum over the past 20 years against a backdrop of rapidly declining costs and prices’.*

Inevitably there has been a growth in the numbers of energy companies offering renewable technologies. Warwickshire College is perfectly placed to support those companies by providing specialist training based at its Power Academy in Rugby.

From January, the college will be running a range of new courses, training employees in the installation of renewable technologies such as photo-voltaic cells, solar thermal panels and ground source heat pumps.

A launch event for contractors and installers is being held at the Rugby Centre on 27 October 3-7pm. The event is free but advanced booking is essential - contact employers@warkscol.ac.uk for more information and to book your place.

The event is being run in partnership with ELECSA – who provide inspection, assessment and certification schemes for contractors installing renewable technologies in private dwellings.

Conference organiser, Adrian Hickinbottom, said: “There are lots of opportunities for local energy companies at the moment, with the government initiative to pay people for the electricity generated from their roof panels. We want to equip companies to make the most of this opportunity and our courses will give companies with the skills and qualifications they need.”

Courses will take place at the college’s Rugby centre, which used many sustainable technologies in its construction, using just a third of the energy of the previous centre.

*solarbuzz.com/facts-and-figures/markets-growth/market-growth