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Serving the solar energy community of North Carolina since 1994 |
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What is Solar Electricity (PV)? Solar electricity or photovoltaics (PV) is energy technology that converts light (photons) directly into electricity (voltage). A single solar cell when exposed to sunlight will produce .5 volts DC. A solar module/panel, which is several solar cells tied together, can produce a DC circuit from 12 to 600 volts. Solar panels can be wired together to produce PV circuits (strings) of a variety of voltages. One or more strings wired together creates what is called a photovoltaic (PV) array. PV arrays are usually installed on rooftops but can be installed on special ground or pole mounting structures. For more output, solar panels are sometimes installed on a tracker — a mounting structure that moves to continually face the sun throughout the day.
How Solar Electric (PV) Systems work* The more sunlight solar panels receive, the more power they will produce. There must be nothing to shade the panels, especially during the prime sunlight hours of 9 am to 3 pm (Even a telephone line can greatly reduce power output.) A charge controller regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels going into the rest of the PV system. Solar electricity can be used directly to run DC motors or it may be stored in batteries for later use. An inverter converts DC voltage instantly into AC voltage which can power common tools and appliances or be put back into the utility grid. View our recent Solar Electric (PV) projects
*All electrical system wiring should be performed by competent electricians and should be in compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and inspected by your local county/city electrical inspector. |
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