Wind, Solar and Generator Backup Power System

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Comment by James Everitt on August 27, 2009 at 9:23am

The Green Energy Economy Needs the Right Workforce

The demand for a skilled green workforce is great and growing every day. Sign up for classes today!!!

Renewable Power Solutions offers a variety of classes to fulfill the demand for a green workforce. The renewable energy market is growing faster than the available workforce. The combination of high energy cost, current rebates and tax credits makes California one of the fastest growing solar states in the United States.

Before selecting a training facility you should ask yourself the following question. Do I want to be train by individuals with no experience in the industry? Or Do I want to be train by the actual pros, who day in and day out are working the industry I desire to be train on? Our class instructors are professional working in the renewable energy industry for years. Sign up today to be train by professional solar installers, solar designers and solar rebate managers.

Classes we offer are:

Solar Installer Level 1

This course is intended to introduce a potential PV installer to the important aspects of selecting a good site for a PV system and the basics of PV system components. We have designed this course to be the first class in a series that will establish a solid informed foundation on which you as a system installer can build. This class will touch on both battery based (stand alone) systems and utility-interactive (grid tied) systems. Although it is primarily a lecture, there are several opportunities to work in a lab environment and different site installations that offer the opportunity to use equipment. By the end of this class you should feel comfortable conducting a site evaluation; understand how to make component selections; understand how to size the major components of a PV system: PV array, battery bank, inverter and charge controller. This class is taught to our engineer design team. If you plan to install your own system or install as a profession, start here and plan to take PV Level 2 next. This is a 40 hours class over a period of time. The lab will provide hands-on experience with a variety of systems encountered in the industry. Upon successful completion of this basic entry level course, the student will be offered the opportunity to take the North American Board of Energy Practitioner's (NABCEP) Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge.

Lecture and LabTopics:
•Markets and applications for different types of PV systems
•Electricity basics
•Conducting a site assessment
•The important role of energy efficiency
•Characteristics of PV system components and component selection
•Basic component sizing: an introduction to system design
•Working safely with photovoltaic
•Economics of PV
•Introduction to conduit bending
•AC/DC
•Lab Work on Site
•Filed installation

Next Class Starts TBD pre-registration and payment is require

To register for this class click on Level 1 Classes for your registration form and pay using the link on this page

Solar Sales Designer Level 1

Who should attend: People interested in the solar industry; career changers and those seeking employment in the solar industry; contractors or tradespeople that are interested in the business opportunities in solar.


A total of 12 hours course

• Course & Resources Overview
• Instructor and Student Introductions & Backgrounds
• The Grid, Distributed Generation and Renewable Energy
• Intro to Solar Energy Systems, Types, Applications & History
• Solar Radiation. How to use it for production of electricity
• Solar Panel mono Crystal VS poli Crystal
• Inverters types
• Roof types and designs
• Solar Equipment types and Configurations
• Group Exercise 1 - System Component Choices for Customers, system design, panel, inverters, mounting systems

Next class TBD

Pre-registration is require with full payment $850.00

Solar Sales Designer Level 2 click on Classes for your registration form and pay using the link at the bottom of this page

A total of 16 hours course

• Course & Resources Overview
• Instructor and Student Introductions & Backgrounds
• System sizing by string
• Systems, Types, Applications including small commercial generators
• ROI Calculation and evaluation
• Introduction to system VAC- Main Panels- Disconnects- Monitoring
• Inverters types
• Roof types and designs
• Solar panels for commercial
• Group Exercise 1-2 and 3- System Component Choices for Customers, system design, panel, inverters, and mounting systems

Next class starts TBD

Pre-registration is require with full payment $1450.00

Solar Sales Designer Level 2 click on Classes for your registration form and pay using the link at the bottom of this page

Solar Sales Designer Level 3 click on Classes for your registration form and pay using the link at the bottom of this page

Solar Rebate Processor Entry Level click on Classes for your registration form and pay using the link at the bottom of this page

• Course & Resources Overview
• Instructor and Student Introductions & Backgrounds
• Rebate agencies and administrators
• Forms, applications
• Solar Rebate Calculation and Verification
• Solar Rebate Energy Audits
• Filling Process
• Solar Rebates Assignments
• Solar Rebate Claims
• Group Exercise

Comment by James Everitt on August 22, 2009 at 6:21am

Standby vs. Portable Power - Generator Guide

Why Standby Generators are a Superior Solution

Just a few years ago, the thought of owning an emergency standby generator seemed preposterous. Now, living without electricity is all too common.

Many homeowners simply cannot afford to ride out another power outage. Instead, they are installing home standby generators in record numbers to protect their families and investments.

The concept is really simple. Standby generators are permanently installed outside and operate just like a central air conditioner with two major differences.

Engine Instead of Motor
Air conditioners run off electric motors, which obviously won't work during an outage. Standby generators have engines instead.

The systems can be connected to your natural gas line or liquid propane tank and generate electricity as long as fuel is supplied.

Automatic Transfer Switches
Instead of using a thermostat, standby generators use an automatic transfer switch to monitor your utility power.

When it goes out, the automatic transfer switch turns on the generator - whether you're home or not - and automatically shuts it off when power is restored.

Unlike portable generators, standby generators operate automatically with no human intervention. No generators to move. No power cords to connect. No gas tanks to fill.

START HERE: Select Your Style...
Your first step in picking the perfect standby generators is to decide whether you want to power your whole house or essential mission-critical ciruits.


NEXT: Whole House vs. Essential Circuits? -->

Comment by James Everitt on August 19, 2009 at 11:34pm

Air-Cooled vs. Liquid-Cooled Generators

The more electricity that you want to generate… the more complicated the generator.

As the name suggest, air-cooled engines -- think lawnmower – intake cold air to keep it from overheating.

Air-cooled standby generators can generate up to 20 kilowatts of electricity -- enough to power most single-family homes.

If you need to power a luxury home or a light commercial building, you need a liquid-cooled standby generator instead.

Instead of lawnmower-like engines, liquid-cooled generators feature automobile-like engines that use anti-freeze to keep them from overheating.

Liquid-cooled engines are more expensive, durable and powerful, generating from 22 to 150 kilowatts of electricity.

Surprisingly, the bigger engines are actually quieter too. When exercising, the sound output is comparable to an idling car.

Next Story: Standby Generators in Action

Comment by James Everitt on August 19, 2009 at 8:56am

Energy Efficient Refurbishment of Existing Dwellings

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Energy Savers and Home Energy Audits

A home energy audit is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. An audit will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time. During the audit, you can pinpoint where your house is losing energy. Audits also determine the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. An audit may also show you ways to conserve hot water and electricity. You can perform a simple energy audit yourself, or have a professional energy auditor carry out a more thorough audit.

A professional auditor uses a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of a structure. Thorough audits often use equipment such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

Here you'll find the following information:

•Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits
•Professional Home Energy Audits

Learn More Financing & Incentives

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
•DOE Weatherization Assistance Program
ENERGY STAR®
•Find Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency


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