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Solar Home PV - Photovoltaic Systems

This page explains the PV (Photovoltaic) solar systems, for electricity production.

See also, for other uses of solar systems:
Solar water heating systems
Solar home space heating
Solar home space cooling



PV
home and non-home uses

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are used to produce electricity for residential use, but also in diverse non-home applications: calculators, watches, parking meters, lighting in caravans, nautical instruments, etc.

PV grid-connected systems

Most
PV solar systems are on-grid systems. See, for details: On-grid Solar and wind systems.

Stand-alone systems

A stand alone PV energy system is not connected to a wider public or private grid. In this case it responds only to the need of its owner. The stand alone systems can be more expensive due to the need of home batteries for storing the energy.

Stand-alone PV solutions are popular in remote areas, where connection to public electric grid is expensive or impossible.

See: Wind and Solar stand-alone systems.

PV systems in non-sunny climates

Many people assume that installing a photovoltaic (PV) system is restricted to sunny climates and regions. Obviously, sun resources are important, but PV systems aren't only a solution for sunny states and regions. Solar thermal and photovoltaic devices depend basically on sunlight (and not on temperatures).

See, for more information: Solar Resources and electricity production

PV solar components

There are five basic components of a residential solar system, in  the case of a PV system (for electricity production): a solar array (a set of solar panels), the inverter, the batteries, the in-home solar power monitor and the electric meter.

PV Solar Modules

Solar modules collect the sun's energy and convert it into electricity. The number of modules (connected to form a rooftop array) depends on how much electricity is required.

PV (Photovoltaic) Inverter

The inverter converts the electricity generated by PV solar modules to alternating current (AC) ready to be used by consumers.

PV Photovoltaic Monitor and Electric Meter

The PV Monitor allows to view the status of the installed system and its performance. The Electric Meter displays power usage.

Batteries on
Photovoltaic Solar Domestic

Unless all the electricity is channelled to the grid (and the residence imports the electricity from the grid system) the PH Photovoltaic demands a
storage system for home energy appliances, tools, lights, etc.

See: On-Grid Systems and Net Metering

Costs of PV systems in domestic uses

Solar hot water systems are cheaper than solar PV systems. According to some estimations solar average hot water systems cost around $3,000-$6,000 per home while a PV system may cost 5 times more. PV systems involve a set of components that solar hot water systems dispense. Obviously, the amounts above are just mere references valid to average residential uses.

Alternatives to PV systems

PV systems is becoming a competitive solution for electricity generation. But there are other alternatives that may be considered, namely wind energy. 


PV manufacturers

There are many PV manufacturers. Sharp Solar is the major manufacturer, but there are many other, most of them well known multinationals.

To see a wide list of solar systems manufacturers:
Solar Power Systems Manufacturers   

See also: Sizing Solar Systems
 

 



See also:
Basics of solar systems
Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems
Pros and Cons of Solar Energy Panels
Costs and payback of Solar Energy
Solar Panels Technology
Quotes and the buying process
Market and Prices of Solar Hot Water Systems
Market and Prices of Solar PV Electricity
Manufacturers of Solar Power Systems
What to ask to installers and suppliers




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