| Solar cells convert the suns energy using something | | | | would do best to contact your local municipality and |
| called the photovoltaic effect. This is why many | | | | ensure you are taking advantage of any financial |
| solar panels that are constructed go by the name | | | | offsets you can. Most municipalities are allowing you |
| photovoltaic solar panel. The photovoltaic effect | | | | the option to buy back excess energy produced by |
| involves creating an electric current (or voltage) in a | | | | your system, this way, not only do you not have to |
| material because of exposure to electro-magnetic | | | | pay your energy company, but they pay you! |
| radiation. | | | | At this time building integrated photovoltaics are being |
| What builds up voltage between two electrodes is the | | | | included in the construction of new homes and |
| generated electrons being transferred from one | | | | businesses, either as the primary electrical power |
| material to another. In most cases the radiation is | | | | source or ancillary. Generally you will find a photovoltaic |
| sunlight and used in solar panels. At times you would | | | | solar panel incorporated into either the roof or the |
| use solar panel to specify that the energy source is | | | | walls of a building, although it is now becoming popular |
| the sun, and photovoltaic solar panel may indicate that | | | | to purchase and install photovoltaic roof shingles. |
| a light source isn’t specifically the sun and not | | | | If a building is already built, a photovoltaic solar panel |
| indicated. | | | | may be retrofitted to fit within the roof or walls of the |
| There are a variety of different materials that use | | | | building. If this isn’t possible or practical, then an |
| solar radiation and convert it into direct current | | | | array can be placed outside of the house and |
| electricity. These materials currently include | | | | connected to a main power supply. |
| polycrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium | | | | When choosing to be on the grid or completely off the |
| sulfide, and amorphous silicon. The recent increase in | | | | power grid, you will want to take a look at how close |
| interest in solar energy and photovoltaic arrays has | | | | your home is to it. If you are in a remote location, |
| advanced the technology greatly used in the | | | | having a solar power supply complete off the grid is |
| renewable energy conversion business. | | | | practical, if you are closer, putting it on the grid makes |
| In the United States in 2006 investors offered free | | | | best use of the system, and you are protected in |
| solar panel installation in return for a contract of | | | | case of failure. |
| twenty-five years. It is expected that most commercial | | | | In any case, deciding to go greener and install a |
| photovoltaics installed are with a power purchase | | | | renewable solar energy source for your home is a |
| agreement. Many other cities are offering incentives to | | | | smart move. You can eventually recoup the layout |
| invest in photovoltaic solar panels, if you are interested | | | | costs through your energy savings, and your home |
| in converting your home to solar energy, then you | | | | becomes more attractive to future buyers. |