| There is a lot of energy in sunlight and that energy can | | | | cheap to produce but produce significantly less power |
| be converted to electricity with photovoltaic panels. | | | | than the other two types. This means that photovoltaic |
| These panels are made up of several photovoltaic | | | | panels must be larger to produce the same amount of |
| cells which are constructed of treated silicon which | | | | electricity. |
| creates an electrical charge when exposed to | | | | Monocrystalline panels are slightly more efficient in low |
| sunshine. | | | | light conditions, but the difference is not significant. |
| Each photovoltaic cell produces just a small amount of | | | | When choosing photovoltaic panels the most significant |
| electricity, so they are wired together into panels to | | | | factor is the amount of available space. If you have |
| provide enough current for common household | | | | lots of room you can install amorphous panels for less |
| appliances. | | | | money. |
| Photovoltaic cells come in three basic varieties. | | | | As mentioned above, individual photovoltaic cells are |
| Monocrystalline are the most efficient but also the | | | | wired together into panels which can produce more |
| most expensive. They consist of a single crystal cut | | | | electricity. The panels themselves can be wired |
| from an ingot of silicon. | | | | together in parallel or in series to produce a variety of |
| Polycrystalline are the most common and slightly less | | | | currents suitable for almost any use. |
| efficient than monocrystalline. The silicon they are | | | | The panels and arrays produce Direct Current (DC) |
| made from have several small crystals. | | | | power so it must be converted to Alternating Current |
| Amorphous cells are made by spreading the silicon on | | | | (AC) for most purposes. This is accomplished with an |
| another material like stainless steel. These cells are | | | | inverter. |