What Are Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems?
Photovoltaic solar energy is an alternative energy type that is compatible with your household cords, plugs, lighting, electrical appliances and the same electrical grids that are used by the utility company. You can find tiny portable photovoltaic systems that can fit into your pocket or you can get an entire building fitted with a photovoltaic solar energy system.
Photovoltaic solar energy systems convert light from the sun into solar electrical energy at the solar panel stage from where this solar electrical energy travels to the power system. Batteries, converter or an inverter can then access the solar energy from the power center. DC appliances can plug into and use the solar energy from the converter and the batteries store the energy for later use. Lights and AC appliances retrieve energy from the inverter.
There are different sizes of photovoltaic solar energy systems that you can get for your needs at work, home, cottage, recreation vehicles and as portable systems that are suitable for camping and charging your mobile phone.
You can get large systems that are integrated as part of a building’s structure such as solar shingles, canopies, panels and translucent panels that can be fitted into or laid over flat areas on a building such a roof, windows and side walls. This larger system can provide all your energy needs for running a household or workplace including a refrigerator, lights, TVs and other small appliances.
Weekend cottage systems can be installed onto an existing building and the batteries will recharge over the week. The storage batteries and solar panels are usually smaller than the house system and the size of the system components will determine whether you have on and off power or continuous power. The size of the components also affects the number of lights and size of appliances that can be used.
Portable systems can be used to power up music, lights, small appliances or game consoles and TVs. You can find systems for boats, recreational vehicles and tents. There are flexible panel systems that can be hung on a tent.
You can create your own systems or you can buy kits to match or customize to your needs. If you are getting a permanent system, make sure that you can add onto and upgrade the system.
