Solar PV is a photovoltaic process which converts sunlight, the most abundant energy source, directly into electricity. There are no moving parts, exhausts, noise, or pollutants involved in the process and as a result it requires minimal maintenance.A typical solar cell may be a 4 inch diameter wafer, about .01 inches thick. A group of these cells interconnected creates a solar panel. A typical solar panel can produce about 16 volts and 3 amps, or 52 watts, of DC power. Other module specifications are available, and such specifications will vary between manufacturers. Solar panels, in turn, can be interconnected in series or parallel to create a solar-array and any voltage-current combination required.

Yes, solar modules will absorb sunlight in any part of the world. In the UK, we get 60% of the sunlight received at the equator and although the electrical output of a PV cell is dependent upon the intensity of the light to which it is exposed, photovoltaics do not need to be in direct sunlight to work, so even on overcast days a PV cell will be generating some electricity.

Solar PVs have been used in the UK over the last 20 years and there are over 1.5 MW of building integrated PV is already installed in the UK. They have been used for many applications, particularly in remote areas where grid connection is impractical, such as weather monitoring stations, marine navigation aids, etc. However, over the last few years PV technology has also started to be introduced into urban areas, incorporated into the roofs and facades of homes, offices and factories. A modest sized domestic grid connect system will provide a substantial portion of a households electricity needs for over 6 months of the year and installations on commercial buildings are particularly suitable, meeting the daytime demands of an office.

The average lifetime of most PV modules can be in excess of 20 years, crystalline silicon modules in particular have a very long life span. In addition, they require very little maintenance. Other system components will have a varied lifespan, for example batteries in stand-alone systems can last between 2 and 15 years depending on type. These are only rough guides and this should be checked for each specific product.

Wp means peak Watts. In other words, a 100Wp panel will produce a maximum of 100W in peak conditions (1kW/m2 solar irradiation) - this is equivalent to a bright sunny midsummer day in the UK.

Typically a 1kWp array will produce 750kWh/year.

There are many reasons to install a PV system It is the most practical and economically viable option for many applications in remote areas. It is completely pollution free. Installing a small domestic system of around 1.5 kW would provide around 1000 kWh of electricity every year, this would save around half a tonne of CO2 annually. PV can be integrated into the fabric of a building. Electricity can be supplied at the point of use. The system will run silently. There is very little maintenance required for a PV system. After the initial installation costs, there are no further fuel costs. PV systems are modular, and can be added to at any time