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PV photovoltaic
Solar PV (photovoltaic) uses energy from the sun to create electricity to run appliances and lighting. PV requires only daylight, not direct sunlight to generate electricity and so can still generate some power on a cloudy day.
How does it work?
Photovoltaic systems use cells to convert sunlight into electricity. The PV cell consists of one or two layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity.
PV cells are referred to in terms of the amount of energy they generate in full sunlight, know as kilowatt peak or kWp.
When you consider that enough sunlight falls on the earth's surface each minute to meet the world's energy demands for an entire year, it's clear that sunlight represents a brilliant solution for our energy needs.
While energy radiating directly from the sun has always been available to us, now we can effectively harness it. Since the development of the first solar cell in 1954, its usage has continued to grow steadily along with its efficiency.
Today, solar power is considered the most abundant, reliable, clean and hassle-free of all known energy sources--and we've only just begun to tap its incredible potential.
How does it work in your home?
Solar panels absorb the sun's rays, even on cloudy days, and convert sunlight into usable electrical energy. Next, an inverter converts the DC current from solar panels to AC current for use throughout your home. Your solar system is connected to the utility grid through a standard utility meter that tracks your net power use taking into account the electricity production from your solar system.
During sunny days when your solar system generates more power than your home needs, your electric meter actually reverses direction and spins backwards as you lend that energy to the utility grid. When the sun goes down, you effectively retrieve that energy when you need it. This process is called net metering or “import/exporting” of energy.
Costs and savings
Prices for PV systems vary depending on the size of the system to be installed, type of PV cell used and the nature of the actual building on which the PV is mounted. The size of the system is dictated by the amount of electricity required. Contact us for more info
The benefits
PV systems produce no greenhouse gases and each kWp can save approximately 325kg of carbon dioxide emissions per year, adding up to about 8 tonnes over a system's lifetime.
Is it suitable for my home?
You can use PV systems for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of North, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. If the roof surface is in shadow for parts of the day, the output of the system decreases.
Solar panels are not light and your roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is placed on top of existing tiles.
Frequently asked questions
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