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Photovoltaic or PV generates electricity from sunlight. Small-scale PV modules are available as roof mounted panels, roof tiles and conservatory or atrium roof systems. 1-3 kW is a typical power output for a domestic installation although this is very flexible and depends on the number of PV modules installed. A typical PV cell consists of two or more thin layers of semi-conducting material, which is most commonly silicon. The electrical charge is generated when the silicon is exposed to light and is conducted away by metal contacts as direct current (DC). Although the electrical output from a single cell is small, when multiplied together a desired electrical output can be achieved. Therefore, PV cells are connected together and encapsulated, usually behind glass, to form a module or panel and any number of modules can be connected together. . Performance details The performance of a PV system will depend upon the size of the system, the type of PV cell used and the nature of the installation. The average domestic system is usually between 1.5 and 2 kWp (kilowatt peak) in size and costs are around £4,000 - £9,000 per kWp. Solar tiles, which can be integrated into a roof, maybe worth considering if major roof repairs are intended to be carried out. The PV system generates no greenhouse gases and save approximately 325kg of CO2 per year or about 8 tonnes over system’s lifetime – for each kWp. A typical 1.5 - 2 kWp system will produce enough electricity to supply almost half of an average family’s annual supply, assuming that the heating is fuelled by gas and that the house has no energy efficiency savings. To find out how to get PV technology please click on our Micropower Council member links below: |