Can you imagine training in a solar village with hands on experience in solar technology? The job possibilities in this field are unlimited as the government funds more and more to alternative fuel technologies. Going to solar school is a growing past-time for many that are interested in Natural Building technologies and Solar Heating Options for sustainable home designs, as well as those in the commercial building fields.
There are workshops springing up around the country as the funding for solar power training classes and certifications is free flowing and scholarship money is sitting unused, even though many students that have discovered this field are going to solar schools on 100% scholarships, in some cases.
Some of the workshops may only be 4 day classes, while others are progressing through the degree process in engineering and construction design in the building trades. Going to solar school with an internationally known solar design engineer/builder as your trainer will offer you knowledge in passive and active solar technology design, retrofit and zero energy homes and buildings, which will become the wave of the future.
As more people take advantage of the tax credits offered for purchasing these systems, this field is expected to be booming in the years to come. While many people are getting laid off from the industries that have been shrinking due to the economy, solar is a field that can’t keep up with demand. Going to a solar power training school and getting education and certifications is a way many of the unemployed can get into a stable and growing occupational field for the future.
Many states have been more aggressive about rounding up this federal funding than others. States like Texas, California, Colorado, Illinois and Ohio, for example, no only offer further education in the field, but are also offering incentives for public schools that take advantage of installing solar panel systems at their schools, not only for learning, but for cost savings.
Even the Europeans have started offering a one year master program in solar education, by going through solar school, so this field is not isolated to only our country, but is an internationally growing demand that will need to be filled by those that are familiar with research, design and installation of the solar panel technologies of the future.
While many of our young are now being educated through public schools education in solar school technology, the adult population is fairly unaware of the incentives and funding available to become knowledgeable and earn certification through solar school classes.
Many of the logical players in this field, such as architects, engineers and installers are pursuing further education in solar, but college students that are concerned about future employment possibilities are fairly slow to understand the potential employment opportunities that can be available to them by getting in on the bottom floor of the ever-increasing demand for knowledgeable people in this field.
Solar school education is expected to become more important as the demand for alternative energy fuels grow and solar technology is one of the most viable options. As new homes and commercial buildings are built and “green” certifications increase, this occupational field is expected to employ many of those that are without work. Going to solar school is an investment that should pay off in a short amount of time.
By: Rose Eric
Posts Tagged ‘Wave Of The Future’
Getting a Degree in Solar Technology
December 23rd, 20093 Great Disadvantages Of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
December 22nd, 2009Hydrogen fuel cells are the wave of the future. At least that is what many would want you to believe. They have a point because a hydrogen fuel cell is a novel way to power a car. The car would require no gasoline, run on hydrogen and its only waste would be water, a natural and safe emission. However, it is not a perfect science by any means and too many times there is talk about all the great advantages without any discussion of the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells.
With anything, there is going to be drawbacks. If it were such a perfect technology, don’t you think every car would have one by now? Besides being expensive, the hydrogen fuel cell creates certain problems that haven’t been completely tackled yet.
Here are the three main disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells:
1. It’s big and cumbersome. Your gas tank already uses a nice portion of your car, but a hydrogen fuel cell will be three times bigger than a gas tank. But that is not that all. The fuel cell has to be insulated to keep it safe and protected.
2. Safety issues. Liquid hydrogen has the ability to freeze air. There have also been reports of accidents with the fuel cell itself. Sometimes a valve will get plugged up when there is too much pressure in the cell. The only place to go is out, and the cell explodes. There is no way of knowing, yet, if this problem can be fixed, but there are many working on it. In a car accident, the tank might rupture, but the good news is the hydrogen will evaporate quickly. However, it is a more serious condition in a closed area such as a garage.
3. The hydrogen evaporates. Strange, but true. The insulation is not a perfect process and the hydrogen evaporates out of the cell at roughly 1. 7 percent a day. This means that eventually cars are going to need a fill up. What? You thought you never had to use a pump again? The other problem with this is gas stations don’t sell hydrogen. You will have to find a customized fueling station or work something out with the manufacturer of the car. Cars that are blends with fuel cells and gasoline will never have to worry about being stranded.
General Motors Co. , currently has the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell, one of the first fuel cell vehicles of its kind. If you are thinking about purchasing a vehicle of this type, speak to the manufacturer of the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells. By having the technology, they are aware of the pitfalls of hydrogen fuel cells and have begun work on how to make it better.
The good news is that automobile companies are working at ways to make this a safer environment by creating less emissions and the more we learn about alternative methods, the better the Earth will be for it. Just don’t go blindly in one direction without asking questions. Learn about the disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells before you agree to use it.
