Fire Mountain Solar Solar FAQ Wind FAQ MicroHydro FAQWhat is solar electricity?
The sun’s energy is captured and converted into DC electricity through a device called a photovoltaic (PV) panel system. A PV panel system converts sunlight directly into electricity anytime the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the light is more intense (a sunny day) and is striking the panels. Solar electric panels do not use heat to make electricity. Instead, electricity is produced as electrons are freed by the interaction of sunlight with semiconductor materials in the solar panels. Solar electric systems use PV cells to convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. PV cells are made from silicon and were originally developed to power spacecraft and space stations. The cells come wired together in panels. A group of panels mounted on a frame is called a PV array. To provide electricity reliably and safely, PV systems include several pieces of equipment in addition to the PV array. This balance of system components typically includes a charge controller
