specialists and our courses are the most up to date . Our training centres advertise regularly throughout the year with a number of different publications Increasingly , we are seeing adverts from other training organisations advertising what appear to be the base courses modelled on the outdated minimum requirements , referencing our HETAS training and claiming their courses are cheaper . Whilst this can prove frustrating , we are confident in our product and in having added additional learning criteria which is , in our view , essential to the modern competent installer . We have a national network of training centres designed to help retailers , sweeps and installers , whether undertaking a refresher to brush up on knowledge and skills , or an entirely new course which allows them to enhance their business ’ offering . The adverts we place are available for all to see , HETAS adopts the nationally recognised framework of pre-requisites as a guide to a candidate ’ s suitability for attendance of core training . The prerequisites are there because the courses are not for those without previous experience . The theoretical and practical principles of installation practice are taught to candidates who have relevant previous involvement in this type of work . They can then go on to seek HETAS registration for the installation , servicing and maintenance of wood burning and biomass appliances and systems . We are conscious there are instances however whereby certain areas of the pre-requisites do not align with an installers experience to date . In identifying such scenarios , HETAS accredited training centres have responded ; each offering their own individual learning pathway . Some focus on the practical elements only , whilst others also offer distance or online learning as an adjunct providing the opportunity for installers to undertake learning as a way of enriching and evidencing their existing experience as a pathway to attending HETAS training courses . It is important also to note , Government require all registered installers to have a refresher training session every five years to ensure that they are abreast of the latest regulations and practices so that they can in turn maintain high standards of service for their customers . To conclude , it is wonderful to see and hear the demand for training . We will continue to advertise our courses and promote the offering from HETAS . We might not be able to include Buster the Boxer in our advertising campaigns , but we can be confident we are delivering a quality assured product .”
Solar roofing tiles – a new energy revolution ?
Elon Musk recently unveiled a new product from his company Tesla , solar pv panels that are also roofing tiles . The announcement was greeted with great fanfare but does the new product really represent a ground-breaking new technology ? Musk ’ s main achievement with regards to solar power has been to develop a sophisticated battery management system that improves the efficiency of solar cells . However , electricity generating solar roof tiles are not a new concept . The idea has been researched extensively and some similar products are already available on the market . Tesla ’ s tile panels come in a number of different types so that they can be integrated into a range of existing roofing designs . They are claimed to be as strong as traditional tiling materials and to have a long design life , though their glass construction slightly reduces their efficiency compared to conventional solar PV panels and are currently expensive . The technology of solar pv roof tiles offers promise to further expand the amount of electricity generated from solar by integrating the technology into existing structures and maximising the use of space . The most important thing Musk may achieve is the popularising of the technology with his extremely effective branding , which in conjunction with his battery storage technology encourages low carbon distributed energy generation on and off grid . Tesla ’ s product is being promoted primarily in the US at present but if it successful in promoting solar tiles generally with greater economies of scale production costs may fall substantially . Whether or not it becomes more popular in other markets will also depend on local building regulations and government support mechanisms for their installation but the ease with which they can be retrofitted into existing structures and the large scale they could be installed on makes it a technology to watch for future market opportunities . To learn more about Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency through training courses see our website at www . EUenergycentre . org
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