Solar Domestic Water Heating
This course is accredited by BPEC and is aimed at qualified or experienced heating engineers or plumbers. Participants will either have experience in conventional heating engineering/plumbing or have a formal qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 3) in the subject.
The course covers all the information needed to install a solar domestic hot water system. Practical and theoretical tests will be taken at the end of the course. The competencies assessed in the course are a requirement to apply for accreditation as a solar thermal installer under BRE microgeneration accreditation and to install systems funded by the Low Carbon Building Programme.
Participants will work through both a practical and theoretical programme. The practical sessions include the mounting of collectors on a full-sized roof, bacterial risk-assessment and choice of pipe materials. All course lecturers are experienced solar installers. Advanced tuition on best practice, maintenance and software simulation combine to make this course one of the most comprehensive available in the UK and Ireland.
MONDAY
1600 onwards - arrival.
1800 Supper in the restaurant.
1900 Introduction to the course and CAT. 1930 Introduction to solar water heating systems.
TUESDAY / WEDESDAY / THURSDAY
Each day breakfast will be at 0830, coffee at 1100, lunch at 1300, tea at 1600 and supper at 1800 in the restaurant. Participants will be divided into groups and each day parallel sessions will run.
Sessions will include:
· A guide to good and best practice in the mounting of solar thermal collectors in new build and retrofit situations. Roof installation health and safety guidelines. Raising and taking down of collectors on different roof types. Comparison of types of collectors. Types of tiles/slates and different brackets. Alternative lifting methods.
· Site tour of solar water heating systems at CAT, including one of the largest solar space-heating systems in Wales. · Software simulation tutorials.
· System fault finding and expansion vessel setting. · Sealed, drain back, open-vented and sealed systems. · Designing for a real house.
Thursday afternoon: participants will sit a multiple choice assessment.
FRIDAY
Lunch and depart
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
The course fee covers full board accommodation at CAT, tuition and course materials. All food is vegetarian, and we are happy to cater for special diets - please let us know your requirements when booking.
