Why Photovoltaic Technology Is Changing The World

What Is A Photovoltaic System?

The photovoltaic systems which can be installed in homes and industry are based on sun hitting a photovoltaic panel.  Contained within these panels are photovoltaic cells which allow the suns rays to be converted into electricity.

How The Photovoltaic Systems Have Developed

The concept behind photovoltaic technology is sound and is not going to change.  What is going to change and progress are the materials and substances used.  As with many developments there is a balance which needs to be struck between cost and efficiency.

The original glass covered PV panels were very efficient.  However they were costly to make and they were even more costly to install.  The weight of the panel meant that its use was limited.

Then came the development of the thin film solar panel.  This solved the problem of weight and also helped reduce the production costs.  The down side was that the efficiency was also reduced.  However, the huge increase in use, directly linked to its increase versatility, meant that a slight reduction in efficiency became less of an issue.

Overall the thin film meant that solar power was becoming more accessible and also more financially and economically viable.

Photovoltaic Panel Installation And Its Progression

Installing a glass covered photovoltaic panel used to be a huge expense.  The problem was not always the actual installation, but was the complexities encountered when fitting such a heavy item to a structure not designed for it.  This was primarily resolved by the thin film.  There was one other major change.  The thin film had made solar power more accessible, hence more and more people were interested in getting solar power installed.  This increased fascination caused more and more people to review if they could do the installation themselves.  Originally there had been no allowance or kits designed for the DIY market – but all of a sudden there was a demand.

With so many governments supporting the introduction of solar power the demands of the consumer had to be met; hence the solar panel kit market was created.

The Photovoltaic Cell And Its Uses

The photovoltaic cell is the heart and brain of solar power.  When the protons in the sun light hit the PV cell it activates the electrons into movement, it is this movement which generates an electrical power where is then converted into a usable electric source.

The changes to this industry and the advances of the photovoltaic technology have caused an increased demand and production has responded with increases of an average of 20 per cent each year since 2002.

The photovoltaic revolution is being backed by governments across the world.  In he period 2006-2007 Germany had a huge increase in their solar installations as a direct result of some very attractive solar subsidies.  Most governments are now offering some form of incentive to change from traditional electrical supplies to solar energy as they are aware of the current urgency for change.  Photovoltaic revolution has started, but it is a long way from finished.