Solar Energy Technician

Canada: An Untapped Market Crying out for Solar Technician Training Graduates

September 18, 2018

solar energy technician college-1

On some level, the majority of the population is aware of what solar energy is, but not quite aware of its potential. A dynamic and completely sustainable power source, the use solar energy has been growing over the past number of years as an alternative to non-renewable fuels.

Its simplistic equipment make its installation process simple and efficient and it’s renewable, environment-friendly capability has made Canada intrigued about implementing solar energy technology on a wider scale in the future.

Are you intrigued by the solar energy industry? Keep reading to find out how it could open up new career possibilities for you.

How Does Solar Energy Work and What are Some of its Benefits?

Solar power is generated from the energy that radiates from the sun in the form of both heat and light. This can be done in two ways. The first is through solar thermal panels, which use the sun’s rays to heat water or air. This system is commonly used to generate heat for swimming pools and ventilation systems in buildings, among other things.

solar technician training-1Solar panels are relatively simple to install

Alternatively, solar power can be generated by using solar photovoltaic technology, which allows the panel to convert sunlight directly into electricity with the use of solar cells. Students in solar technician training acquire basic knowledge of both of these technologies and how common systems are designed, installed, and maintained.

Renewable Sources May Overtake Coal in the Future

As outlined by The National Energy Board in December 2017, sources of non-hydroelectric renewable energy such as wind, solar, and biomass jumped from 1.5 percent to 7.2 percent from 2005 to 2016 in terms of total electricity generation in Canada.

During this same period, coal suffered a drop in usage as it fell from 16 percent to 9.3 percent. Perhaps even more importantly, the Canadian government has announced that it is seeking to phase out the use of traditional coal-fired electricity by the year 2030. With solar energy likely play a huge part in achieving this goal, professionals trained in the area can expect to see exponential growth in the industry in the coming years.

Solar Energy Technician Diploma Graduates Will be in High Demand

Graduates who have earned a solar energy technician diplomacan immediately enter the field working with solar energy companies on both domestic and industrial projects. They will have gained an aptitude in common tasks and responsibilities ranging from assemblage, to maintenance, to design, to sales, and will have the necessary knowledge to establish long-term success within these environments.

solar energy technician diplomaAn increase in solar panel installation means an increase in the labour force

Even as it continues to grow, it is important to note that the prevalence of solar technology is likely to differ across different parts of the country. Ontario, for instance, is ideally located for solar power generation, and accounts for the majority of Canada’s current production.

However, coastal areas which experience high levels of cloud cover have less potential for solar energy generation than more central locations.  Nonetheless, even with these limitations, the government estimates that nearly 50% of the country’s residential electricity needs could be met by solar power alone in the future.

Work towards a brighter future in solar energy technician college.

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