Photovoltaic panels

Photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electricity from the sun, and inexhaustible and clean alternative to fossil fuels that pollute our air and water, threaten our health and contribute to global warming.

Why use photovoltaic panels?

The benefits of using photovoltaic solar panels include:

• Cost savings: Solar power is cheaper and more reliable than utility power supplies. Once homeowners have purchased and installed the paneling, they are protected from future hikes in energy supply costs.
• Simplicity: PV panels are easy to install and require minimal maintenance.
• Choice: There are a wide variety of PV panels available to homeowners,including building-integrated panels; integrated roof tiles, thin film panels, and solar cell ribbons.
• Conservation: PV panels use renewable energy, are emissions free and environmentally safe.

Installation considerations

• The size, type, quantity and configuration of PV depend on how much electricity the homeowner needs, the amount of available space and exposure to the sun. Typical PV panels are 31” x 60” in size. Placing 36 such panels on a roof creates a 5.12 kilowatt (KW) system. Small homes require a 1-4 KW system; mid-sized homes need a 5-7 KW system and large residences require an 8-10 KW system.
• The best location for a PV system is a south-facing roof, though eastern and western exposures can work too.
• Any trees, chimneys, roof vents, and neighboring tall buildings that block sunlight must be taken into consideration prior to installation.