Harness the Sun - Save Money and the Earth!

The Solar Energy Technologies Program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have partner with may organizations interested in improving technologies that harness the bounty of energy provided by sun.

Photovoltaic or PV technology, delivers a system that is available to homeowners and builders who choose to go green, while simultaneously saving valuable resources.

There are several elements that comprise a PV system. There are solar cells that connect electrically to form a module which can measure two to four feet wide and four to six feet long. Some solar modules are designed to appear to be traditional roof shingles. Interconnected PV modules are known as an array. An array is often mounted on the roof of a building, facing south at an angle, to assure that modules receive the maximum amount of sunlight. Another element of a PV system is an inverter, which converts electricity from direct current to alternating current and enables the current for use on most standard appliances and electronics. In the event of an emergency, a battery solution can be added as back-up in the event of a power outage. A battery solution can also serve when PV systems are not connected to utility power lines.

There are many applications for Photovoltaic technology. Photovoltaic is used in a multitude or products. One of the products available to homeowners and builders are Roofing Shingles. The shingles are coated with PV cells manufactured from amorphous silicon which generates electricity but is designed to look like ordinary roofing shingles.

An alternative roofing product is mounted directly to a roofs structure and can replace asphalt shingles.  In that application the roof will produce electricity after the whole PV system is connected to the utility grid through an inverter and attached to a meter.

There are many resources available to home owners to determine how renewable energy can fit into their home improvement or building plans. The U.S. DOE provide an abundance of information pertaining to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Here is one of the links on planning for PV. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/planning_for_pv.pdf

If you would like any referrals to Austin Texas area solar equipment providers and installers ,just drop me an email and I'd be glad to give you some suggestions!

Good luck going GREEN!

Joe

Condos: The Good and Bad | Barton Creek TX Listings

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