Solar Electric

Photovoltaic Energy

Solar experts using a solar pathfinder.

A solar photovoltaic system refers to a solar electricity system.
Solar photovoltaic systems use solar panels made of silicon
to convert sunlight into electricity.

Solar photovoltaic's are used in a number of ways, primarily to
power buildings that are tied in with their local
electrical supply company.

Sunlight is converted to electricity using photovoltaic or solar cells. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are semiconductor devices, usually made of silicon, which contain no liquids, corrosive chemicals or moving parts. They produce electricity as long as light shines on them, they require little maintenance, do not pollute and they operate silently, making photovoltaic energy the cleanest and safest method of power generation.

Grid Interconnection

A solar panel electric system.

In a grid-interconnected solar power system, your photovoltaic panels
are added onto a regular source of electricity, meaning your
utility company. The use of solar energy can reduce your reliance on other
forms of energy to any degree.

Advantages of Solar Energy

Solar experts installing solar electric.

Solar energy is a renewable resource that is environmentally friendly.
Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy is available just about everywhere
on earth. And this source of energy is free, immune to rising
energy prices. Solar energy can be used in many ways - to
provide heat, water heating, and electricity.

Photovoltaic Cells & Modules

A customer inspecting their solar electric installation.

Photovoltaic cells come in many sizes, but most are 10 cm by
10 cm and generate about half a volt of electricity. PV cells
are bundled together in modules or panels to produce higher
voltages and increased power. A 12-volt module, for example,
depending on its power output, could have 30 to 40 PV cells.
A module producing 50 watts of power measures approximately 40 cm
by 100 cm. PV panels are not highly efficient, converting only 30 percent of the light captured into electricity.

PV modules generate direct current (DC), the kind of electricity produced by batteries. Although incandescent lights can operate on DC, most electric devices require 120-volt alternating current (AC) as supplied by utilities. A device known as an inverter converts DC to AC current. Inverters vary in size and in the quality of electricity they supply.