Solar PV - Overview

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Category: Power

Published on Wednesday, 22 May 2013 12:00

Quite simply, PV (or photovoltaic) panels use daylight and convert it into electricity. Panels are made up of a number of "cells" made of a semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When photons from sunlight hit the cell, it displaces electrons, causing an electrical potential difference, and this in turn causes current to flow.

This electricity is captured by metallic tabs in the cell.

The panels are wired together to form an "array" on the roof, and these are wired to an inverter which changes the Direct Current (DC) electricity to Alternating Current (AC), so it can be used in the building. If during the day you generate more electricity than you are using, then any excess will flow back to the grid.

PV panels work all year round during daylight hours, even on dull and overcast days as they use the light from the sun rather than direct sunlight

The benefits of solar electricity

• Cut your electricity bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.
• Get paid for the electricity you generate: the government's Feed-In Tariffs pay you for the electricity you generate, even if you use it.
• Sell electricity back to the grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, you can sell the surplus back to the grid. Read more about feed-in tariffs and selling electricity.
• Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) or other pollutants. A typical home solar PV system could save over a tonne of CO2 per year

www.greenhomeenergysolutions.co.uk

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