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Solar Photovoltaic Energy FAQ
How long has Solar Photovoltaic Energy been around? In 1838 the photoelectric effect was discovered by physicist Edmund Becquerel although it wasn't until the 1950's that the technology was developed enough to produce efficient working cells. During the 50's and 60's Solar PV was put on satellites and sent into orbit but it was still too expensive for general use. The next few decades brought better technology with lower prices and Solar PV was installed in world-wide remote villages to provide electricity for where there was no supply. What applications are there for solar photovoltaic energy (PV)? PV has many applications, both for stand-alone systems and for integration onto buildings. PV has been used for many years in many countries in applications such as monitoring stations, telephone kiosks and street lighting to name just a few examples. There is also a large market for solar photovoltaic energy in the leisure industry. You can now buy garden equipment such as solar fountains. Or what about battery chargers for boats and caravans? Increasingly, solar photovoltaic energy has become more widely used in urban areas, where it can be integrated into new buildings or mounted onto existing buildings. It has become a rapidly growing market throughout Europe. In fact, I believe all new buildings should incorporate PV. Its a no brainer! Solar photovoltaic energy is ideally suited to large towns and cities , providing pollution free and noise free electricity without using extra space. PV is also widely used in the developing world. The technology is particularly useful here, where electricity is unreliable or non-existent. Remote locations often make PV power supply the most economic option. How long will a solar photovoltaic energy system last?
In addition, they require very little maintenance. Other system components will have a varied lifespan, for example batteries in stand-alone systems can last between 2 and 15 years depending on type.
However, calculating the system size depends on many factors, for example whether the system is grid connected, energy demand of the household etc. What is the photovoltaic solar energy efficency?
How much Power can I expect to get from my PVs? Typically a 1kWp array will produce 750kWh/year. Why are PVs rated in Wp rather than watts? Wp means peak Watts. In other words, a 100Wp panel will produce a maximum of 100W in peak conditions (1kW/m2 solar irradiation) - this is equivalent to a bright sunny midsummer day in the UK How can I connect my solar photovoltaic energy system to the grid?
However, many people use non-G83 certified inverters, and simply do not bother with an export account. In many cases the household will always be consuming more electricty than that being fed into the grid, therefore, the net effect is zero export Is it true that I can get my electricity meter to spin backwards? Not usually, nor is it legal to do this. The very old meters may cause this to happen, but most have a rachet-type mechanism to prevent this from occuring. How much will I get paid for the electricity I feed into the grid? See renewable energy suppliers for more information. Why install a PV system? There are many reasons to install a PV system: Are there any planning issues? For the majority of homeowners the addition of solar PV panels fall within 'permitted development rights', which means that the panels will be more or less flush with the roof. If your property is in a conservation area, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or is a listed building you may need to apply for full planning permission. We recommend checking with your local council to see what their stance is on solar PV panels, although most people install PVs without doing this.
Helpful articles Click on diy solar heating for information on solar water heating. Click on our solar power gadgets for great gift ideas. To return to our solar energy home page.
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