A photovoltaic solar system, also commonly known as solar energy system or solar photovoltaic solar system, is a solar energy system specifically designed to produce solar electricity directly from solar energy. This solar electricity is in the form of direct current (DC) electricity. DC is the kind of electricity that can be used in our homes, in electronic equipment and in motor vehicles. DC electricity can also be routed to an electrical grid through use of an inverter. The latter is the typical setup for commercial and residential solar energy systems.
Nowadays, with the increasing demand for solar electricity, the market for photovoltaic systems is expanding rapidly. Photovoltaic systems are increasingly being used for large-scale production of electricity in different forms. With this extra capacity, electricity markets are becoming more competitive and markets are beginning to develop across borders. To be able to cope with the growing need for electrical power in the country and to continue as a reliable source of energy, the federal government has come up with programs to fund research and development into new photovoltaic systems that can produce electricity at a lower cost.
These programs are provided through federal agencies and other organizations such as the national renewable energy laboratory. One program is focused on research into improving photovoltaic systems for domestic use. One program focuses on developments for the efficient manufacture of solar electricity in low-cost and economic ways at home. Another focuses on developments for use of clean energy at medical facilities and health facilities. Research efforts include developing clean coal technologies and developing renewable electricity systems at the national level. Since many people at the present time live in remote areas where electric companies are not accessible, reliance on fossil fuels is seen as a necessity.
The advances in modern photovoltaic systems have brought forth many changes regarding design, manufacturing and construction. PV cells and other photovoltaic systems components are now produced in bulk in large quantities, allowing production of solar panels in a short time. This has made it easier for the industry to provide affordable residential solar systems. It is also helped in reducing the environmental impacts of electricity production.
The benefits of using solar pv systems extend beyond the economic aspects. They contribute to the improvement of the environment by reducing energy consumption. Also, they contribute to the conservation of the natural resources. The reduced energy consumption translates into lower demand for electricity generated from fossil fuels, thereby helping to preserve and rehabilitate the natural environment.
Producing solar panels in bulk provides an advantage over what would happen with an unprofitable homemade photovoltaic panel. A mass produced solar cell would be too small to generate electricity. However, the efficiency of the photovoltaic cells has significantly improved over the years. The solar cell can now be made to produce electricity even in case it is not visible to the human eye.
There are two main technologies used to make solar cells. These technologies are the photovoltaic cells themselves, or the solar cells mounted on solar panels. The latter are more efficient, but they do not have the capacity to generate large amounts of power. The photovoltaic cells are usually made out of silicon, which is widely used as an abundant resource in the semiconductor market. Silicon is a semiconductor, and it absorbs solar energy easily. Once silicon is absorbed in the solar cell, it allows electricity to be produced.
Photovoltaic systems use semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electrical energy. The solar energy that is captured by these solar cells is then transformed into direct current, or DC power. The AC power is then routed to power up household appliances and other electronic items.
