PV Panel...Affordable Photovoltaic Systems
Solar Efficiency Has Increased
If you are researching PV panels, you are someone that knows something about solar energy. For those of you who aren't quite certain, I will save you a search of an online definition. PV is short for Photovoltaic, and according to Wikipedia, is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting solar energy (sunlight, including ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity. There is no need to go into the history of solar energy, accept to point out the advancements in the last five years. The development of transistor and accompanying semiconductor technology, has drastically increased photovoltaic power and efficiency. Today, commonly available solar panels are 12% efficient, which is four times greater than only a few years ago. An average home has more than enough roof area to produce enough solar electricity to supply all of its power needs. You must determine what those needs are. What I mean is, are you just planning on heating your water, or perhaps looking at producing enough energy to meet your entire electrical needs? Are you going off grid, or thinking about selling the excess energy back to the power company?
Let the Sun Point the Way
Photovoltaic Power and You
The obvious reason for considering solar is fact that it is a renewable non- polluting source of energy. You should also know that it has no moving parts to break down, and requires very little maintenance. Did you know that the small amount that hits your roof, greatly surpasses all the energy that is transported through the utility company electric wires? That is the reason many people who have switched over to solar power, either go off grid, or sell back to the utility companies for a profit. Here is another fact that will astound you. The entire total of fossil fuels on Earth can be matched by the solar energy output of the sun on Earth, in less than three days.
Another very important aspect is that contrary to most contractors' misconception it is not a difficult installation. For those of you who live or are considering living in extremely remote or rural areas if electricity is available it is usually expensive. In those cases solar power is undoubtedly the right way to go. However, even in areas where power lines are nearby, solar may still be a viable alternative to being connected to a power company. As stated, the average home has more than enough roof area to produce enough solar electricity to supply all of its power needs. All that is needed is an inverter, which converts direct current (DC) power from the solar cells to alternating current (AC), which are what most home appliances run on. A solar home, except for the obvious changes to the roof, will look and operate just like any home does when it was connected to the power line.
You Can Build a PV Panel
Do-It-Yourself and Save Thousands
The cost of PV Panels and a complete solar energy power installation can run into the tens of thousands if left in the hands of contractors. There is a viable option that will save you tens of thousands of dollars. I am referring to making this a do-it-yourself project. There are kits available that will cut your cost in half. Even better than that there are online instructional guides that will walk you through the entire process step by step, and slash the price down to about 0.00 per panel. For those of you who don't have either the time or the inclination to do it all yourself, I might suggest that you take advantage of the current work shortage by hiring a couple of competent handymen to construct the entire project. I bet with the right instructions, you could bring it in for a tenth of the original estimate.
My own extensive research has helped me narrow down the best of the best instructional guides, complete with blueprints, photos, for that do-it-yourself solar and/or wind power project you might be considering. Obviously, I can't go into great detail in this article, but if I have piqued your interest, you can get all the facts of this or many other ideas on how to go green at my site
Possibly GREEN. There you'll find the right ways to live a greener life, including information on how to convert your car inexpensively, and even find green jobs in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
How do photovoltaic cells transform solar energy in to electricity?
Can someone please explain how photovoltaic cells, also know as, solar panels convert solar energy into electricity!! Detail would be nice, and please use some key terms. I dont understand the process very well, and i would appreciate the help!
Thanks!
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ANSWER:
A simple Wikipedia search is a good idea - especially for mining the references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_effectThis explanation, for instance, is from one of the references found in the Wikipedia article:
http://www.mrsolar.com/content/photovoltaic_effect.phpAn illustrated article can be found here:
http://www.petervaldivia.com/technology/energy/solar-power.php
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QUESTION:
How much much energy does solar (Photovoltaic) energy supply for 12 months?
What about tidal and geothermal?
Whoa, sorry about the title! Stupid sentence typos.-
ANSWER:
it totally depends on the size of the solar array.One tiny panel can recharge a few batteries, while a solar array over an entire house may generate over 20,000 kwh of electricity annually. It just depends on many factors, from location, shading, the panel efficiency, tilt, rainfall, orientation, etc...
tidal and geothermal, again it just depends on size and many other factors.
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QUESTION:
What do you think of photovoltaic and solar energy field as a field to study?
I m considering this field for master's degree
I mean i find that it will be a recommended field more and more in the future but i m afraid that it might be narrow
To be specific,i m want to know ur opinions career wise-
ANSWER:
I think that energy technology will be one of the really good engineering fields for the next few decades.Concerning the narrowness of it, all areas where you get a master's degree narrow focus but increase depth of knowledge. It gets even narrower if one gets a PhD, but the depth is much greater.
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QUESTION:
Do photovoltaic solar panels produce more energy in hot and humid areas ?
Hi, I'm trying to buy some solar panels and I've heard that they produce much more energy in hot and humid areas (our area obviously!). What I've heard is about 4 or 5 times the nominal watt. So, is it true ?
If you know more please add some detail.Thanks!
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ANSWER:
I think someone may have been confused and been talking about solar water heating panels, which can give a lot more in a hot area, simply because the air temperature is already warm, and the average sun-hours per day is higher. My brother's house in Hawaii can get away with a smaller panel for his water heater than would be needed in (say) Michigan.Solar electric panels are more efficient at colder temperatures. But even at cold, there isn't even a 2x output compared to the hottest day.
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QUESTION:
How do photovoltaic cells convert solar energy into electricity?-
ANSWER:
there are several ways of doing this, but a common way is through light energy absorbance by the electrons leading to a charge disparity that drives electron movement. The electrons get excited to the higher energy of the diffuse cloud surrounding the alloy or ceramic or whatever particular material is present and become free to move beyond the confines of their original atom. This can create a negative charge that will be offset by a positive "hole" that also can migrate.A lot of times the substance consists of layers that impart a direction to the flow (one side excites and the other receives the excited electrons).
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