What is the Job Outlook?
As this is an emerging occupation, the number of Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in California is unknown at this time. Employment opportunities should increase in the future considering society’s growing interest in environmental protection and the development of alternative energy sources. Additionally, consumers benefit from local utility rebates, tax credits, and The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) incentives by going “tankless,” thus encouraging a growing demand for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians. However, like many other construction occupations, employment is sensitive to the fluctuations of the economy. Workers in these trades may experience periods of unemployment when the overall level of construction falls.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Green Industry Examples
Public and Private Utilities
Power Generation plants (electric, hydroelectric, other fuels)
Power Transmission
Power Distribution
Construction—residential, commercial, industrial, remodeling
Power and communication line construction
Glazing contractors
Roofing contractors
Various manufacturing sectors—lighting, appliance, motor and generator, storage batteries, motor vehicle, semiconductors
Automatic environmental controls
Public and Private Utilities
Power Generation plants (electric, hydroelectric, other fuels)
Power Transmission
Power Distribution
Construction—residential, commercial, industrial, remodeling
Power and communication line construction
Glazing contractors
Roofing contractors
Various manufacturing sectors—lighting, appliance, motor and generator, storage batteries, motor vehicle, semiconductors
Automatic environmental controls
Are you a good fit for a "Green" Job ?
Working Conditions
Solar Thermal Installers work outdoors in most types of weather. The work requires lifting heavy tools and equipment as well as the confidence to work on rooftops and in cramped quarters. Additionally, Installers may risk injury by cuts from hand and power tools; however, risks are minimized by following proper safety procedures. Most Installers work 40 hours per week, but they may work much longer hours during the spring and summer. Harsh weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, may delay work schedules.
This occupation is not heavily unionized at this time. However, some Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians may belong to the plumbers and pipefitters or sheet metal workers unions.
Will This Job Fit Me?
The job of Solar Thermal Installer may appeal to those who enjoy working outdoors at work activities requiring practical, hands-on problems and solutions; accordingly, this occupation does not involve a lot of paperwork. This occupation also generally interests those who are attentive to detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
What Wages and Benefits Can I Expect?
Wages
A formal salary survey is not available. However, according to telephone inquiries conducted with employers of Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians, annual wages range from the lower boundary of $20,000 to the upper boundary of $75,000; hourly wages range from $10/hour to $35/hour. All salaries depend on the pay structure established by each employer for work performed, the nature of the project, and the skills of the specialists. Generally, workers in large cities earn higher wages than those who work in small towns and rural areas.
Solar Thermal Installers work outdoors in most types of weather. The work requires lifting heavy tools and equipment as well as the confidence to work on rooftops and in cramped quarters. Additionally, Installers may risk injury by cuts from hand and power tools; however, risks are minimized by following proper safety procedures. Most Installers work 40 hours per week, but they may work much longer hours during the spring and summer. Harsh weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, may delay work schedules.
This occupation is not heavily unionized at this time. However, some Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians may belong to the plumbers and pipefitters or sheet metal workers unions.
Will This Job Fit Me?
The job of Solar Thermal Installer may appeal to those who enjoy working outdoors at work activities requiring practical, hands-on problems and solutions; accordingly, this occupation does not involve a lot of paperwork. This occupation also generally interests those who are attentive to detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
What Wages and Benefits Can I Expect?
Wages
A formal salary survey is not available. However, according to telephone inquiries conducted with employers of Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians, annual wages range from the lower boundary of $20,000 to the upper boundary of $75,000; hourly wages range from $10/hour to $35/hour. All salaries depend on the pay structure established by each employer for work performed, the nature of the project, and the skills of the specialists. Generally, workers in large cities earn higher wages than those who work in small towns and rural areas.
Solar Energy Systems Installers
Guide for
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in California
May also be called: Solar Energy Systems Installers; Solar Hot Water System Installers; Solar Thermal Repair Technicians
What Would I Do?
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians install, maintain, and repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial, or industrial use. Typically, solar water heating technology is used to heat water to three temperature levels: low for swimming pools, medium for space heating and cooling and domestic water heating, and high for steam production for electric generation.
Solar water heating systems are set up in conjunction with a standard water heater. There are two types of solar water heating technology: active and passive systems. Active systems use fans or pumps to move heat to warm water. Passive systems use sunlight to store energy and rely upon gravity to move hot water into a storage tank. They do not require pumps to move water.
Solar water heating technology uses the sun’s rays to heat liquid in copper or plastic tubes located inside solar
collector panels. The heated liquid coming from the solar panels transfers heat to the water heater through
exchange coils inside the storage tank or a heat exchanger added to the existing water heater tank. The storage
tank provides preheated hot water to a conventional water heater for immediate use. Solar water
heating saves energy by reducing the amount of time a regular water heater must operate.
Installers plan the layout of the system by determining the placement of tanks and pumps; they also perform on-site evaluations to ensure the best placement of solar panels to obtain optimal sun exposure. Solar Thermal Installers mount pre-assembled solar panels or systems. They install storage tanks or heat exchangers into existing tanks. They also install pumps, valves, pipes, and ducts. Solar Thermal Installers set up and adjust electrical or electronic controls and sometimes do routine maintenance. In new construction, they follow blueprints to connect piping, ducting, controls, and wiring. Installers also demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to solar thermal system owners.
Solar Thermal Installers commonly use a variety of power and hand tools including extruders, propane torches, and wrenches. Copper pipes are frequently used in solar hot water heating systems installed in residential and commercial buildings; lead-free solders are used to solder the pipe fittings properly. Some systems use polyethylene tubing, with which Installers use crimpers to connect the pipes. Plastic PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) pipes are generally used in solar water heating systems for pools.
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in California
May also be called: Solar Energy Systems Installers; Solar Hot Water System Installers; Solar Thermal Repair Technicians
What Would I Do?
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians install, maintain, and repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial, or industrial use. Typically, solar water heating technology is used to heat water to three temperature levels: low for swimming pools, medium for space heating and cooling and domestic water heating, and high for steam production for electric generation.
Solar water heating systems are set up in conjunction with a standard water heater. There are two types of solar water heating technology: active and passive systems. Active systems use fans or pumps to move heat to warm water. Passive systems use sunlight to store energy and rely upon gravity to move hot water into a storage tank. They do not require pumps to move water.
Solar water heating technology uses the sun’s rays to heat liquid in copper or plastic tubes located inside solar
collector panels. The heated liquid coming from the solar panels transfers heat to the water heater through
exchange coils inside the storage tank or a heat exchanger added to the existing water heater tank. The storage
tank provides preheated hot water to a conventional water heater for immediate use. Solar water
heating saves energy by reducing the amount of time a regular water heater must operate.
Installers plan the layout of the system by determining the placement of tanks and pumps; they also perform on-site evaluations to ensure the best placement of solar panels to obtain optimal sun exposure. Solar Thermal Installers mount pre-assembled solar panels or systems. They install storage tanks or heat exchangers into existing tanks. They also install pumps, valves, pipes, and ducts. Solar Thermal Installers set up and adjust electrical or electronic controls and sometimes do routine maintenance. In new construction, they follow blueprints to connect piping, ducting, controls, and wiring. Installers also demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to solar thermal system owners.
Solar Thermal Installers commonly use a variety of power and hand tools including extruders, propane torches, and wrenches. Copper pipes are frequently used in solar hot water heating systems installed in residential and commercial buildings; lead-free solders are used to solder the pipe fittings properly. Some systems use polyethylene tubing, with which Installers use crimpers to connect the pipes. Plastic PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) pipes are generally used in solar water heating systems for pools.
White House Going Solar -- Again - NYTimes.com
The White House, which only last month rebuffed a proposal by activists to reinstall one of former President Carter’s solar panels atop the executive mansion, plans to announce Tuesday that it will be adopting solar power after all.
White House Going Solar -- Again - NYTimes.com
White House Going Solar -- Again - NYTimes.com
What is a "Green" industry or occupation?
What is a "Green" industry or occupation? There are many aspects of work that could be considered green, such as new materials, methods, products, and services. However, we do not yet have a common language capturing the broad and varied nature of green industries and jobs. Several states and many local organizations are working collaboratively to better understand and promote the effects of clean and green technology on our economy. Following is a collection of information from those efforts.
Solar farm construction to create jobs
CUMBERLAND, Ohio - Construction of a solar farm on a former strip mine next to The Wilds is expected to create up to 600 jobs in Ohio.
Building the 49.9-megawatt farm, dubbed the Turning Point Solar project, is expected to require approximately 300 jobs during peak construction.
An additional 300 permanent jobs are expected as the two Spanish companies manufacturing components for the venture plan to locate their North American operations in Ohio, according to a release from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's office.
Although the solar farm will be in Muskingum County, officials in surrounding counties are excited about the prospects.
"The location of the panels are actually going to be closer to Caldwell than Zanesville," said Scott Braden, president of the Noble County Community Improvement Corporation. "I'm sure that a lot of those jobs are going to spill over regionally, and Noble County should be able to (benefit from) some of those jobs."
Braden was in Columbus recently for signing ceremonies in the governor's cabinet room, during which American Electric Power CEO Michael Morris inked a memorandum of understanding to purchase power from the facility for 20 years to help fulfill state minimums for renewable energy.
Spain-based Prius Energy S.L. and Isofoton have agreed, pending approval of incentives by state and local governments, to open new manufacturing facilities in Ohio to help construct the 239,400 solar panels for the array. Their locations have not been determined, but Braden and other local leaders are already targeting them for Southeast Ohio as well.
"We're going to work aggressively and try to start communication with them to let them know there is a facility ready in Noble County," he said.
Braden was referring to the former MAHLE facility in Caldwell. At one time the largest employer in Noble County, the site was closed in 2009. Since then, the corporation has worked to acquire the 233,601-square-foot facility for development as a green manufacturing incubator site.
In a statement, state Rep. Jennifer Garrison, D-Marietta, applauded the announcement but noted "our work is not done."
"I look forward to working with the state as these companies consider sites in southeast Ohio," she said.
Bill Hutchinson, business manager for Parkersburg-Marietta Building Trades, said the announcement is good news for the region.
"Many of the locals are still running with several people unemployed," he said, noting other workers are having to travel out of the area for work.
The release from Strickland's office pointed to recent efforts by state government to help make the project possible, including an executive order by the governor that eliminated tangible personal property tax and real property tax for advanced and renewable energy project facilities. In 2008, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 221, which called for 25 percent of energy consumed by Ohioans to come from "advanced energy" sources by 2025. Of that, 0.5 percent must be solar energy, the release says.
"We recognized the future when we established our state's aggressive renewable portfolio standard, invested in the energy industry and eliminated taxes for new energy facilities to create jobs and grow Ohio's advanced energy industry," Strickland said in the release. "Today, the future has recognized Ohio."
A release from U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio, said the congressman worked with Strickland's office and the U.S. secretary of agriculture to attract the project, and brought the parties together that facilitated the investment.
"This project is part of my all-of-the-above energy strategy to invest in new technologies across the energy spectrum, including the abundant coal that God has blessed us with," Space said in the release. "This kind of private-sector investment is exactly what we need to get out of our economic troubles."
State Sen. Jimmy Stewart, R-Ohio, said the project sounds promising, but he questioned the timing of the announcement, with less than a month left until an election in which polls show Strickland trailing Republican challenger John Kasich - albeit by a tightening margin.
"I guess just in time for (the) election isn't it," Stewart said.
Still, Stewart noted he supported SB 221 and he's happy to hear about the jobs.
"I'm certainly glad that it's coming to our region, and I'm proud to have been a part of some of the legislation that... has helped enable some opportunities for renewable energy in Ohio," he said.
Stewart added that it remains to be seen how the solar power production would compare to traditional coal-fired power plants in terms of cost per kilowatt hour.
According to the governor's release, the solar farm will be located on a tract of at least 500 acres of reclaimed land mined between 1969 and 1991 by the Central Ohio Coal Company. The Wilds, a wildlife conservation park featuring animals from around the world, was developed on 10,000 acres of strip-mined land.
http://newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/539942/Solar-farm-construction-to-create-jobs.html?nav=5054
Building the 49.9-megawatt farm, dubbed the Turning Point Solar project, is expected to require approximately 300 jobs during peak construction.
An additional 300 permanent jobs are expected as the two Spanish companies manufacturing components for the venture plan to locate their North American operations in Ohio, according to a release from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's office.
Although the solar farm will be in Muskingum County, officials in surrounding counties are excited about the prospects.
"The location of the panels are actually going to be closer to Caldwell than Zanesville," said Scott Braden, president of the Noble County Community Improvement Corporation. "I'm sure that a lot of those jobs are going to spill over regionally, and Noble County should be able to (benefit from) some of those jobs."
Braden was in Columbus recently for signing ceremonies in the governor's cabinet room, during which American Electric Power CEO Michael Morris inked a memorandum of understanding to purchase power from the facility for 20 years to help fulfill state minimums for renewable energy.
Spain-based Prius Energy S.L. and Isofoton have agreed, pending approval of incentives by state and local governments, to open new manufacturing facilities in Ohio to help construct the 239,400 solar panels for the array. Their locations have not been determined, but Braden and other local leaders are already targeting them for Southeast Ohio as well.
"We're going to work aggressively and try to start communication with them to let them know there is a facility ready in Noble County," he said.
Braden was referring to the former MAHLE facility in Caldwell. At one time the largest employer in Noble County, the site was closed in 2009. Since then, the corporation has worked to acquire the 233,601-square-foot facility for development as a green manufacturing incubator site.
In a statement, state Rep. Jennifer Garrison, D-Marietta, applauded the announcement but noted "our work is not done."
"I look forward to working with the state as these companies consider sites in southeast Ohio," she said.
Bill Hutchinson, business manager for Parkersburg-Marietta Building Trades, said the announcement is good news for the region.
"Many of the locals are still running with several people unemployed," he said, noting other workers are having to travel out of the area for work.
The release from Strickland's office pointed to recent efforts by state government to help make the project possible, including an executive order by the governor that eliminated tangible personal property tax and real property tax for advanced and renewable energy project facilities. In 2008, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 221, which called for 25 percent of energy consumed by Ohioans to come from "advanced energy" sources by 2025. Of that, 0.5 percent must be solar energy, the release says.
"We recognized the future when we established our state's aggressive renewable portfolio standard, invested in the energy industry and eliminated taxes for new energy facilities to create jobs and grow Ohio's advanced energy industry," Strickland said in the release. "Today, the future has recognized Ohio."
A release from U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio, said the congressman worked with Strickland's office and the U.S. secretary of agriculture to attract the project, and brought the parties together that facilitated the investment.
"This project is part of my all-of-the-above energy strategy to invest in new technologies across the energy spectrum, including the abundant coal that God has blessed us with," Space said in the release. "This kind of private-sector investment is exactly what we need to get out of our economic troubles."
State Sen. Jimmy Stewart, R-Ohio, said the project sounds promising, but he questioned the timing of the announcement, with less than a month left until an election in which polls show Strickland trailing Republican challenger John Kasich - albeit by a tightening margin.
"I guess just in time for (the) election isn't it," Stewart said.
Still, Stewart noted he supported SB 221 and he's happy to hear about the jobs.
"I'm certainly glad that it's coming to our region, and I'm proud to have been a part of some of the legislation that... has helped enable some opportunities for renewable energy in Ohio," he said.
Stewart added that it remains to be seen how the solar power production would compare to traditional coal-fired power plants in terms of cost per kilowatt hour.
According to the governor's release, the solar farm will be located on a tract of at least 500 acres of reclaimed land mined between 1969 and 1991 by the Central Ohio Coal Company. The Wilds, a wildlife conservation park featuring animals from around the world, was developed on 10,000 acres of strip-mined land.
http://newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/539942/Solar-farm-construction-to-create-jobs.html?nav=5054
Green Occupational Guides
10/8/2010
Digest | Analyses | Conferences | Activities | Legislation | Resources | Improvement Grants| Occupational Guides
What is a "Green" industry or occupation? There are many aspects of work that could be considered green, such as new materials, methods, products, and services. However, we do not yet have a common language capturing the broad and varied nature of green industries and jobs. Several states and many local organizations are working collaboratively to better understand and promote the effects of clean and green technology on our economy. Following is a collection of information from those efforts.
10/8/2010
Understanding the "Green" Economy
Use these links to jump to a section of interest:Digest | Analyses | Conferences | Activities | Legislation | Resources | Improvement Grants| Occupational Guides
What is a "Green" industry or occupation? There are many aspects of work that could be considered green, such as new materials, methods, products, and services. However, we do not yet have a common language capturing the broad and varied nature of green industries and jobs. Several states and many local organizations are working collaboratively to better understand and promote the effects of clean and green technology on our economy. Following is a collection of information from those efforts.
Definitions of Green Economy
Digest of "Green" Reports and Studies:
To encourage the discussion on how green technology affects the workplace and economy, a consortium of local, state, and federal entities is currently reviewing "green" literature to create a "Digest of Green Reports and Studies". The Digest process, links to Digest forms, and a list of project participants is outlined below.- Index to the Digest (Updated: October 8, 2010)
- As reports and studies are identified, they are added to the Index to the Digest. A participant then reviews the report and prepares a brief summary including the report's contents, methodology, and author. Links to the summary and to the original study are then added to the Index.
- How to Contribute to the Digest
- Do you know of a green study that should be added to the Green Digest Index? Would you be willing to review a study and write a summary for the Digest Index? If you would like to contribute to this project, contact Bonnie Graybill via e-mail at Bonnie.Graybill(at)edd.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 262-2160. To submit a report summary for the Digest of Green Reports and Studies, complete the Green Digest Blank Form (MS Word format). See the Step-by-Step Manual for assistance. Please change the template file name to the report title and e-mail it to Trisha.Wong(at)edd.ca.gov. Except where noted, Adobe Reader may be required to view the documents.
"Green" Analyses - of Occupations and Industries
"Green" Conference and Summit - Materials
"Green" Job Activities - by State
"Green" Legislation - Enacted or Currently Proposed
Related Resources - for Understanding the "Green" Economy
"Green" Jobs LMI - Improvement Grants
"Green" Jobs LMI - Occupational Guides
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