Posts Tagged wind turbine

Eyes On The Green Dollars Of Green Jobs C

The numbers related to green energy jobs are impressive.  Estimates say that 3.3 million new jobs will be created by the Apollo Project, which is a 0 billion federal green investment plan. Indeed, President Obama has said that the creation of green-collar jobs will boost the economy and protect the environment.

Better Pay

For the millions of unemployed and underemployed workers, the more impressive news is that these green collar jobs often pay more than jobs in other sectors.  And since it’s still a growing industry, the pay scale can become more impressive as time and technology moves on.  Of course, this good news is in addition to the fact that green jobs can fill in the employment gasp created by the Great Recession, as we now call the global recession of the past decade.

So, how much are green collar jobs worth?  Well, as with any industrial sector, it depends on many factors like position requirements, location and company policy.  In general, the median annual earnings range from ,100 for an insulation worker to 2,000 for engineering management positions.  Now, for people with no or little job prospects, these earnings are sufficient to get their lives back on track particularly in regards to their financial status.

Yet another good news is that the better pay in Green jobs need not come at an expensive tuition.  Many entry-level jobs like solar fabrication technicians, solar energy system installers and wind turbine fabricators, all of which can pay over ,000 yearly, only require a high school diploma and appropriate training in a green school.

Better Jobs

Aside from the fact that green energy jobs pay better money, you will also feel better because your job is either directly or indirectly linked to environmental protection.  In many ways, you have concrete and psychic incomes at the tips of your fingers. Plus, you will also be doing your share in ensuring that the future looks bright for your own children. Now, what could be better that that?

As previously mentioned, there are two entry-level jobs that are popular nowadays.  You can be any of these renewable energy workers given the right skills set and the right green school training:

* Solar power installer – At present, there is an estimated 770,000 green jobs of this kind all over the world and it is poised to grow to over 110,000 by 2016 in the United States with the stimulus plan in place.  It pays very well – about to per hour – depending on location and expertise.  Individuals with construction skills are often at an advantage because the job requires knowledge in practical installation, of which the theory can come in the form of either in-school or on-the-job training or both.

* Wind turbine fabricator – Wind power is one of the leading and fastest-growing sources of renewable, alternative energy in the world today, second only to solar power.  Because wind energy is dependent in a sense on working with metal, individuals with skills in handling metal, such as the beleaguered workers in the auto industry, can repurpose their skills to become wind turbine fabricators.  Again, in-school training is an advantage.

Green jobs are better in many ways.  You can keep your eyes on the green dollar while ensuring that you are doing more than your fair share in keeping Mother Earth as green as possible.

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Top Green Energy Jobs

Environmentally friendly practices and cleaner energy have become important subjects in recent years. That’s led to an increase in all kinds of jobs in the environmental sector. Wind, solar, and other alternative power projects are growing fast, creating a need for workers in those fields. Which green energy jobs are likely to be the best in coming years? Let’s take a look at a few of the options. One of those jobs might be the right one for you!

Solar Power Installation
Currently, the production and installation of solar power employs nearly eight hundred thousand people across the globe. This job pays relatively well, with rates ranging between fifteen and thirty-five USD per hour, and there are opportunities available wherever the sun is shining. In the US, around three thousand companies in the solar energy sector are responsible for about thirty-five thousand jobs, with a predicted increase to over a hundred thousand jobs by 2016. Companies which may be hiring include Sungevity, Sunpower, and Akeena Solar.

Energy Efficient Construction
Buildings in the US are responsible for nearly half of the energy this country uses, as well as about the same amount of greenhouse emissions. Currently, LEED, the major certifier of green buildings, employs over forty-three thousand accredited workers. Skilled engineers and architects, as well as a workforce of trained retrofitting specialists, will be required to improve the energy efficiency of the homes in the US.

Wind Turbine Construction
Wind is the fastest growing alternative energy sector, currently supplying about three hundred thousand Green energy jobs worldwide and about fifty thousand US workers. At least ten thousand new jobs in the wind turbine fabrication sector are expected to be created per year, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Their site features a helpful job board for anyone looking for a great opportunity.

Wind Turbine Installation and Maintenance
There’s more to wind power than just building turbines, too. Those turbines need to be installed on wind farms, creating jobs for professionals who understand the way wind energy works. They also need to be maintained. While wind turbines are relatively low maintenance, they do still need to be adjusted and repaired. This field should employ an additional high quantity of workers over the next few years, especially in Texas, California, Western New York and other windy states.

Environmental Lawyer
With increasing concern about the environmental effects of industry and building, and improving regulations in these areas, companies need good legal advice. Environmental lawyers are specialists with knowledge of environmental law and regulations. They’re employed by all kinds of organizations to help them find the right environmentally solutions to their business and practical problems.

Green Project Manager
A successful green project requires good management. Leaving wind, solar, and building projects to conventionally trained managers could be a recipe for disaster. After all, this type of project requires a lot of specialized knowledge. Management professionals with knowledge of the wind, solar, and other green industries could be looking at a great opportunity in the years to come.

Information Technology Specialists
It might seem a little unusual, but the IT field offers a number of Green energy jobs. Information technology specialists with a knowledge of energy efficient work practices are incredibly useful to large companies and organizations hoping to cut their carbon footprints. These workers help show organizations how to use their computing power more efficiently, spend less money, and pollute less, too.

Green energy jobs are an excellent choice for anyone who cares about the environment, wants to make a difference, and is interested in this growing field. Almost every discipline has jobs relating to green energy, so there’s a good chance there’s one for you.

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What Are the Costs of Wind Power

Wind power, which is considered a form of solar energy, is capable of generating a large amount of energy and is becoming increasingly popular. With privately owned residential wind turbines and commercial wind farms, use of wind energy is growing.

Residential wind turbines cost from ,000 to ,000 per kilowatt. The cost for converting to wind power for an average home is about ,000. However excess energy generated by the homeowner can be sold back to the utility company. This means the initial investment in wind power can be paid back and later earn a profit.

Another important fact is that wind power is a completely renewable energy and isn’t going away any time soon. Wind may occasionally be intermittent, but it always comes back. Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface from the sun, which is the reason wind energy is considered a form of solar energy. The rotation of the Earth and its topography also have a large impact on the wind. The amount of wind power varies from location to location, but it is easy to research how the average wind power in any area. The angle of the wind turbine is also an important detail.

Wind farms collect solar energy for entire networks. However, there are large costs that come with these farms. There are three basic types of wind farms – off-shore farms, on-shore farms, and land farms. While off-shore farms are the most beneficial, generating the most energy, they also are the most expensive. The wind at off-shore farms is stronger and more consistent due to the ease with which it can travel across the large smooth expanse of ocean. There is a significant cost, however, to building and maintaining these far off farms. Extra maintenance is also required because of the salt corrosion caused by the ocean.

The cost of wind farms are also affected by the variable costs of supply and demand. Manufacturers see the opportunity to make money in the wind farm field, and thus raise costs. In fact, off-shore wind farms have risen in cost by 48% in the past three years. At the same time, land costs have increased 74%. Rising prices have not deterred investors who see the increasing demand for wind power, as well as the improvements in wind technology.

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