PLUMBING GAS ELECTRICICAL COURSES IN BIRMINGHAM

^{Solar thermal manufacturers:}

^{Are making impressive claims about their products, stating that the eco-friendly technology can provide up to 70 per cent of a domestic property’s annual hot water needs and despite the current economic downturn installers/providers are enjoying significant sales increases. But despite this, confidence in the technology remains remarkably low and with other green solutions like Ground/Air Source Heat Pumps catching the headlines we need to look at why homeowners aren't converting to Solar, especially when you consider the wide range of Government grants that are available.}

^{Waste of time, I’ve never seen one near me?}

^{Scepticism, it’s as simple as that. Homeowners looking to update their existing systems simply don’t buy the claimed savings available and because of this installers are apprehensive about the potential growth of this market. Misconceptions about installation costs and the UK climate. Many homeowners believe installations cost in the region of £10k-£20k and with summertime daylight hours masked with cloud, and dark dreary winters they are baffled as to how these panels will ever work. UK One (a training provider of renewable energy) is left pondering whether solar thermal technology is really worth all of the hype? Can public confidence be cracked? Firstly, solar panels/collectors are now made specifically for the UK climate and they work brilliantly well, even on heavy overcast days!}

^{My garden doesn't face south, so what's the point?}

^{Again, solar panels are now placed on special mounted brackets that are fully adjustable so the panels are facing the right direction to maximise their efficiency.}

^{Potential for growth in the market?}

^{The industry is currently installing around 24,000 solar thermal systems a year. The Solar Trade Association believes this number will rise dramatically for three reasons:}

•  ^{Consumers are becoming more environmentally aware}

•  ^{The government has adopted a long-term renewable support strategy and inflated fuel prices}

•  ^{In Europe the solar thermal market is already highly developed and in many countries demand for solar thermal solutions increased at double-digit rates, with the Irish market tripling in volume.}

^{The technology isn’t new, it’s been around for ages, but the concept to the masses is somehow admirable without being desirable and is an uneasy direction for many to take. It’s like going shopping with no clothes on, or that reclaim your youth moment, having that tattoo on your forehead for your 55th birthday. It’s a notion the vast majority wouldn’t aspire to, even if you did think it was a good idea. Having solar panels on your roof is like telling all of your neighbours ‘look at me I’m different, I’ve got bright pink hair while hoovering the lawn’ and the fear and stigma of standing out in the crowd is simply too off putting for many.}

^{The glass of water, half empty - half full debate?}

^{Consumers are swayed by the negatives, the doubters, the headliners and popular belief however misguided, and will always play it safe. It's a human trait, a mechanism that's built into all of us, we simply can't help it. For example, Parachute jumping sounds like, no, it must be the most exiting thing you could possibly do, closely followed by bungee jumping. We know that we're missing out on so much exhilaration by deciding against doing it. Again, fear fuelled Negativity influencing our choice regardless of the enjoyment potential and the positive safety statistics? It's common sense, we stick with what we know and keep our feet on the ground.}  

^{Solar as well as many other revolutionary green technologies has to buck the consumer trend. Consumers are tough nuts to crack, but not unbreakable}

^{Get the basics right get Training}

^{Training and education are key to achieving a wider adoption of solar technology as it is necessary to increase end consumer awareness of solar thermal. Installers play a decisive role in this as they are the interface between end consumers and industry and these professionals often determine, or have strong influence, on the consumer’s choice of hot water system.}

^{Heating engineers with the skills needed to install renewable systems are still few and far between, with only approximately 2,500 approved solar thermal installers in the UK. There is an industry-wide need for colleges and training centres to deliver industry-recognised qualifications.}

^{Heat Pumps Training Air/Ground Source}

^{Underfloor Heating Courses}