understanding photovoltaic solar panels

Photovoltaics is the conversion of light into electricity thatpeople can use in their homes. Some materials has aphotoelectric effect that makes it absorb photons fromlight to release electrons. Electric current results from freeelectrons being captured. Solar cells are made ofsemiconductor like materials like silicon used in theelectronics industry.

In solar cells, there is a thin semiconductor wafer thatis specially used to form an electric field that ispositive on one side and negative on the other.Electrons are knocked loose from the semiconductormaterial when light energy hits the solar cell. If this isinteresting for you, here are some facts aboutphotovoltaic systems.

Rebates, low interest loans and tax incentives as well as financial incentives make the cost of solar panel more affordable. The incentive depends on which state you are in.

Most Photovoltaic panels areinstalled on the rooftop ofhomes but they can also beplaced on the ground if yourroof cannot handle them. Thisis useful if your roofs are brittleor there is not enough spacefor you to place the panels on.

In the USa, CT Electrical Services is the leadingphotovoltaic system installers that has the capability toinstall and design these systems for homes and commercialpurposes

Once your system is installed, it takes little maintenance to keep it working. If you want to make sure that your system is performing well, you only have to make sure you clean the panels once every week.

High performance panels thatare available in the markettoday are able to convert about20% of light to electricity topower your homes. This is anaverage amount per panel, ifyou want it to convert morelight into more energy, youhave to ask a professional toplace them in a place wherethey can be exposed to light formore hours.

Photovoltaic cells continue to convert electricityeven through a cloudy day as long as there issunlight. However, you have to remember that theelectricity that they will convert will not be asmuch as they can make on a sunny day.

Most photovoltaic systems in homes and businesses areconnected to the grid or as they call them, grid-tiedsystems. This means that you can get electricity for thepanels from a utility company and still pay for theelectricity that you consume. There are over 200,000 PVsystems that are off the grid.

This basically means that they donot use any kind of electricityfrom the local utility company. PVpanels use batteries to powerthen when solar energy is notavailable.

Assuming a functional lifetime of 30 years, a PV systemwill generate 10 to 30 times the energy used in itsmanufacture.

A Pv system will last for over 30 years and willgenerate 10 to 40 times the energy used tomanufacture it from the start.