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Clean Electricity from Light

Photovoltaic or PV for short, converts energy from the sun into electricity.  PV uses a technology called solar cells that allow photons from the sun to stimulate electrons into a higher state of energy resulting in electricity.  There are no moving parts so the system has a very long life cycle and requires very little maintenance. 

PV technology is the most familiar in the solar energy industry, and right now has the highest percentage of state and federal incentives.  So, it is a good time to evaluate the benefits of using PV to supply electricity for your home or business.

Is PV right for you?  Think about these points to get a better understanding of PV and if it is good fit in your energy strategy.

  • Is my home heavily shaded by trees? - Unfortunately trees are not a solar energy collectors best friend.  Even partial shade can reduce cell efficiency by as much as 30%.
  • Are you aware of the cost factors?  - PV systems generally run about $12,000 per kilowatt hour of power.  An average home can use as many as 888 kilowatt hours per month, so the typical system size generates 1.5 to 2 kilowatt hours per day.
  • Are you eligible for State and Federal Government tax credits? - There are tax and energy credits available that make PV more affordable in some states than in others.
  • Did you know batteries can be included? - Most people want to use their critical appliances when the utility grid is not available, or continue to conserve when the sun is not shining. So we install battery banks to store energy for backup during outages or for use during extended periods of overcast skies.
  • Do you know what Grid-tie means? - PV is tied into the power grid so you use less of the utilities' power generation when the sun is providing electricity, and you send any excess power to the utilities' grid.
  • Do you understand the parts that are involved?  - A PV system generally includes: panels, roof mounts, wiring, an inverter, a solar control panel, DC disconnect, fuses, and batteries.

Facts about Photovoltaic

Tracker
  • The sun radiates approximately 1000 watts per square meter of area.
  • 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.
  • A PV system with a single axis tracker will be 40% more efficient than a fixed system in the summer
  • According to Encyclopedia Britannica the first genuine solar cell was built around 1883 by Charles Fritts, who used junctions formed by coating selenium (a semiconductor) with an extremely thin layer of gold.
  • General Motor's Zaragoza Project will be the largest photovoltaic power installation in the world, boasting a 12 Megawatt capacity. When the project is completed in the fall of 2008, the Zaragoza Spain solar installation will cover about 2,000,000 sq. ft. of roof at the GM plant and utilize about 85,000 solar panels.
  • The return on investment of a Photovoltaic system depends on  how much annual sun you get, what state tax incentives are available, and how much your cost per kilowatt hour is.

Sound like there's more to PV than you expected?  Capital Sun will help you understand how PV fits into a good energy strategy.  Our experience is the difference that makes sure your system fits your needs.  We have top quality products with options that can make sure you get the highest benefit from your investment.