Solar Panel Systems

Photovoltaic, or PV for short, is a solar power technology that uses solar cells to convert light from the sun directly into electricity. This unique process uses no moving parts, thereby nothing can wear out. To explain the photovoltaic solar panel more simply, photons from sunlight knock electrons into a higher state of energy, creating electricity.

Solar energy graph

Photovoltaic solar cells use the energy of the sun’s light to cause electrons to move between layers of a semi-conductor material, such as silicon. Once moved, the electron wants to return, but cannot jump back. It gets back by flowing through wires and circuits which creates electron flow or direct current (DC) electricity.

Courtesy North Carolina Solar Center

The sun radiates approximately 1000 watts per square meter of area.

The sun sends 15,000 times as much energy to the Earth as we consume worldwide on a daily basis.

This available energy is clean, safe and environmentally friendly.

Solar power is a free energy supply that in contrast to fossil energy sources, such as oil and natural gas is available in limitless quantities.

Photovoltaic production has been doubling every two years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002; making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology.