Advantages of Photovoltaic Power

Photovoltaic solar power is one of the most promising renewable energy sources in the world. Compared to nonrenewable sources such as coal, gas, oil, and nuclear, the advantages are clear: it's totally non-polluting, has no moving parts to break down, and does not require much maintenance. A very important characteristic of photovoltaic power generation is that it does not require a large-scale installation to operate, as different from conventional power generation stations. Power generators can be installed in a DISTRIBUTED fashion, on each house or business or school, using area that is already developed, and allowing individual users to generate their own power, quietly and safely.

Rooftop power can be added as more homes or businesses are added to a community, thereby allowing power generation to keep in step with growing needs without having to overbuild generation capacity as is often the case with conventional large scale power systems But even when photovoltaic power is compared to other renewable energy sources such as wind power, water power, and even solar thermal power, there are some obvious advantages. First, wind and water, power rely on turbines to turn generators to produce electricity. Turbines and generators have moving parts that can break down, that require maintenance, and are noisy. Even solar thermal energy needs a turbine or other mechanical device to change the heat energy of the sun into mechanical energy for a generator to produce electric power.

Photovoltaic PV power, by contrast, is generated directly from the sun. PV systems have no moving parts, require virtually no maintenance, and have cells that last for decades.

Uses of Solar

The average commercial building, with a photovoltaic array of solar panels, an inverter, which converts direct current (DC) power from the solar cells to alternating current (AC), would provide a considerable amount of electricity to offset in most cases almost all of the major power requirements of that structure.

Additionally, there are other benefits regarding thin film applications regarding cool roofs. The integrated solar panels and the roofing membrane create a reflective cool roof which cools the building down, acts as a roof, and produces clean renewable electricity every day the sun shines.

LEED Certification

ombined with energy efficiency, renewable energy is a big part of LEED Certification. Many large corporations have set targets of 50% energy reduction and pushing as much as 60% reduction by 2010, as well as aiming for LEED certification for all new building developments.

 AB 32: Global Warming Solutions Act