Photovoltaics

The Word Photovoltaic comes from the word “Photo” meaning light, and “voltaic” referring to producing electricity. The photovoltaic process is producing electricity directly from sunlight.

Photovoltaics are often referred to as PV.

Photovoltaic Panels are comprised of Photovoltaic cells, material that has the ability to cause a positive and negative charge to separate , by using the photon energy from the sun, thereby creating a flow of electricity.

Dozens of PV cells are connected together in a weatherproof frame called a module. When two modules are wired in parallel their current is doubled while the voltage stays constant. Modules wired in a series and parallel are called an Array. These can be designed to create a power system that can meet a wide variety of electrical needs.

There are several main types of PV systems, “Off the Grid” or stand alone. meaning they do not connect to main power lines, a “Grid Tie System” and a “Hybrid System”.

The Grid Tie System converts DC current directly into AC using a utility interactive DC-AC inverter. A utility interactive inverter has built-in safety features required by electric utilities.

An Off the Grid System utilizes direct current from the array and stored in batteries, or can convert the power into AC. Converting DC into AC can consume up to 20 percent of the power produced by the PV System.

The batteries used for PV are called secondary or deep cycle batteries.

Hybrid Systems use Photovoltaics and some other form of energy, such as wind or diesel.

PV systems require proper wiring, switches and fuses for safety, controllers to prevent batteries from being over charged or discharged, diodes to allow current to flow in the right direction and grounding mechanisms.

Benefits:

· PV Systems operate with no moving parts,

· Have no impact on the environment

· Require little maintenance.

· Can be installed in difficult to reach areas.

· They have a long life and durability

· Low operating cost.

· Can expand at any time to meet electrical needs

· Creates independency from the grid.

Photovoltaics

Uses: PV Systems are economical in remote areas where electricity is not available such as cottages, farms, recreational vehicles, boats, on highway signs and parking lots.

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Photovoltaic Technology makes use of the abundant energy from the Sun. Whether you want to power your home, pump water in a remote area, provide lighting to your barn, or run the “Sojourner” on Mars,

Solar Electricity, can get the job done, with little impact on our environment.