Welcome to Solar Energy

interesting facts  -  photovoltaic systems  -  solar power applications  -   history on photovoltaics

What is Solar Energy?

There is an energy source that is affordable, reliable, clean, renewable and utterly abundant. That source is photovoltaics - better known as solar energy.

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the cleanest sources of energy: it produces neither noise, smoke, acid rain, water pollutants, carbon dioxide nor nuclear waste. It simply relies on the power of the sun for its fuel. At the same time, silicon, the raw material used for most PV cells, is abundant and non-toxic.

The world's fossil fuel reserves have been on a steady decline ever since we began using them. Fossil fuels are not a renewable energy source. The stores have been on a rapid decrease since the 1970's. There is worldwide discord regarding what little is left, and our continued use of these sources is greatly responsible for the deterioration of the global environment. The health of the Earth and its inhabitants are at stake. The time to admit to ourselves that fossil fuels are an utterly incorrect source of energy to be relied upon is long overdue.

Frank Shuman, the 19th Century American inventor who sought to build a solar-powered steam engine once declared: "One thing I feel sure of... is that the human race must finally utilize direct sun power or revert to barbarism."

How does Solar Energy work?

The term photovoltaic is formed from photo - which means light, and voltaic - which means electrical current or electricity. This term simply denotes the generation of electricity from light.

Generally speaking, - photovoltaics are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Some materials exhibit a property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb photons of light and release electrons. When these free electrons are captured, an electric current results that can be used as electricity.

Solar cells are very fine rectangular wafers, typically made of silicon. A four-inch silicon cell can produce about one watt of DC electricity. A number of cells form a module or a module array. More modules = more electricity produced. For houses that are hooked up to their utility grid any surplus in power gets fed back into the power lines for use elsewhere. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity.

Prometheus Energy - Ontario

A Canadian distributor of renewable and solar energy equipment and supplies, specializing in solar products.
url: www.prometheusenergy.com

Generation PV

A supplier of professional power systems and components that services companies around the globe.
url: www.generationpv.com

Southwest PV - Texas

Distributor and integrator of standalone systems for industrial and rural electrification applications.
url: www.southwestpv.com

Solar Energy, Inc. - Victoria BC

Manufacturer of solar water heating systems and a distributor of components and accessories for solar electric power (PV), solar heating and wind-powered electric generating systems for residential and commercial markets.
url: www.solarenergy.com 

COMMONLY USED TERMS AND DEFENITIONS PERTAINING TO SOLAR POWER:  

Array - (also, module array) an arrangement of solar cells

Clean Energy - energy use that does not emit pollutants or greenhouse gases

Conductivity - the ability to conduct or transmit heat, electricity or sound

Grid - An interconnected system for the distribution of electricity or electromagnetic signals over a wide area, especially a network of high-tension cables and power stations

Module/Module Array - an arrangement of solar cells

PV - Photovoltaic; electrical energy derived from solar energy

Renewable - inexhaustible or replaceable by new growth.

Solar cells - fine, rectangular wafers, usually made of silicon

Semiconductor - any solid crystalline substance, such as germanium or silicon, that has electrical conductivity greater than insulators but less than good conductors such as metal; usually displays higher conductivity in high temperatures, lower conductivity in low temperatures.