A History of Solar PV panels

The abbreviation PV stands for ‘photovoltaic’. The term comes from the Greek word ‘phos’ meaning ‘light’ and ‘voltaic’ meaning ‘electric’ – which derives from the Italian physicist Volta. The volt, a unit electro-motive force is also named after him.

The first solar PV call was built in 1883 by Charles Fritts however this original device was only 1 per cent efficient which did not make for a successful panel. The next type of cell was built in 1888 by a Russian man called Alexsandr Stoletov however; it was Albert Einstein who first explained the photoelectric effect in 1905 resulting in him receiving a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.

The PV cell was actually developed in 1954 by Bell Laboratories, a research and development organisation, by using a diffused silicon p-n junction. Over the past forty years a shocking amount of progress has been made and now solar PV panels are being actively made available to the general public via government incentives.

As solar cells are now far more common place they are being used for everyday applications. The general homeowner installs a PV system onto their roof in order to produce their own electrical energy, this not only reduces their bills but also means they are able to sell excess electricity back to the main electrical board.

Another popular use is to get a system which heats up your water! However, you are also able to by a system which does both. Solar PV panels are no longer restricted to the very rich and affluent and the UK is aiming to make them more and more commonplace.

Facts about Solar Energy

Many people are aware of the benefits of Solar energy, the only thing that puts them off is the solar panel cost. What people don’t realise is that the initial outlay is returned in savings multiple times over in the course of the systems life.

Solar energy has many applications

Solar energy is not just good for heating and lighting houses. It has also been used to heat swimming pools, power cars, fans, calculators and other smaller appliances.

Quick Facts about energy usage

-About 30% of a households total energy consumption is used to heat water.

-In one hour more sunlight falls on our earth that what is used in solar energy by the whole population in a whole year.

-Electric ovens, microwaves and air conditioning systems consume the most energy when running.

Quick facts about the Sun

-The Sun is 109 times bigger that the Earth.
-The Suns average temperature is 5700C
-The Sun is 150 million km from the Earth.

About your Solar panel system

Remember that although you have the system and solar panel cost to consider at the beginning you will reap the rewards! Panels are usually mounted on a roof that is unobstructed by trees or buildings.

It needs to installed facing North so as to receive maximum amounts of sunlight. An average system usually consists of 10 to 12 panels, a battery, inverter, charge controller, wiring and a support structure. You are able to store excess solar energy in batteries for use at a later date.

Solar energy usage across the world

Worldwide productions of solar cells increased by 60% in 2004 alone! However the material these cells are made out of, Silicon, has been in short supply ever since. One of the biggest solar power plants is in Bavaria and has 1,400 movable solar panels providing power to 3,500 homes.

The largest is in the Mojave Desert in North America. Its Solar panels cover 1000 acres! A large solar power plant is currently being built in Israel and it is planned that it will supply more than 200,000 Israeli’s with electricity.

Attitudes must change for solar energy to take off

Solar energy is more than just being willing to install a system and put up with the solar panel cost. It is about our attitude toward renewable and unrenewable power that must change. We live in a throwaway society. Things are easily bought and are just as easily discarded. More and more people are beginning to live greener lives but it will take a worldwide collective effort to really make a change!

For more information see solar panel cost.