Solar PV

The word itself helps to explain how photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric technologies work. First used in about 1890, the word has two parts: photo a stem derived from the Greek phos, which means light, and volt, a measurement unit named for Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity. So photovoltaics could literally be translated into light electricity, and that's just what photovoltaics materials and devices do, they convert light energy into electricity, as Edmond Becquerel discovered in the 18th century.

Sunlight is made up of photons or particles of solar energy. Photons contains various amounts of energy, corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a PV cell they may be reflected or absorbed, or they may pass right through. Only the absorbed ones generate electricity. When this happens, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the PV cell which is actually a semiconductor).

A well-designed system will operate well in excess of the manufacturers 25 year warranty. The PV module with no moving parts has a lifetime expectancy of at least 30 years.

When certain semi conducting materials, such as kinds of silicone, are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity. This process is known as the "photoelectric effect". The photoelectric effect refers to the emission , or ejection , of electrons from the surface of a metal in response to light. It is this basic process that a (PV) cell converts light into electricity.

Sunlight is made up of photons or particles of solar energy. Photons contains various amounts of energy, corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a PV cell they may be reflected or absorbed, or they may pass right through. Only the absorbed ones generate electricity. When this happens, the energy of the photon is transferred to an electron in an atom of the PV cell which is actually a semiconductor).

Your PV system does not need direct sunlight for it to work, even on cloudy days your PV system will still produce electricity.

In this case the system will allow energy to come into your home from the national grid. This will be necessary on winter days and of course night-time when your PV system turns itself off.