Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to site search

Latest news

Module layout view, where a rogue skylight is no match for drag-and-drop planning

Solar-Planit puts project overview front and centre

-

Baywa r.e. Solar Trade has overhauled the start page of its web-based PV planning tool, adding Kanban boards, custom project statuses and expanded management features for specialist contractors.

Pulling double duty in the Spanish sun – the carport at the Hotel Cigarral Santa María near Toledo

Spain – municipalities take on a bigger role in energy communities

-

UNEF and Castilla-La Mancha's regional government are working to give municipalities a stronger role across the country's 837 energy communities, where local involvement already runs deep.

Franz-Josef Feilmeier (right) is an expert in energy storage

Fenecon: large storage systems – made in Europe

-

CEO Talk: Growing demand for large-scale storage systems is working in favour of European suppliers. Safety and security are becoming increasingly important. What role does service play, from commissioning through the entire lifespan of the storage system? Fenecon's CEO shares his view.

Investment models, storage and a firm commitment to green

Greece – Eighth Athens forum greets a sector nearing 24.5 GW

-

With 50 GW of licensed projects awaiting connection terms and dealmaking in full swing, the country's largest renewables event returns for its eighth edition on 20 and 21 October.

Maja Pokrovac, Director of OIEH, and Andrea D’Amico, AIAS representative , signing the cooperation agreement in the Croatian city of Opatija

Croatian and Italian associations join on agri-PV rollout

-

A new partnership between OIEH and AIAS aims to accelerate agrivoltaics deployment through shared expertise, joint conferences and coordinated proposals on regulation, drawing on Italy's established track record in the sector.

Latest videos

More videos

PV on TourPV Guided Tours


 

markets

financing

hybrid generators

inverter

mounting

What is photovoltaics?

Photovoltaics (PV) refers to the generation of electrical energy from sunlight. At the heart of this process are the solar-active semiconductors known as solar cells, which capture sunlight and convert it directly into electricity.

From a technical standpoint, a PV system or solar installation functions as a generator. Here, individual solar cells are combined into a solar module, which is protected from the elements. These modules are then assembled into a larger solar generator, which can be mounted on rooftopsfaçadesopen ground or specially designed structures. The electricity generated is direct current (DC), which is converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter. This AC power can be used directly on site or fed into the public grid via the building’s connection. The electricity is typically supplied to the local utility or grid operator.

Larger PV systems installed on open land are often called solar parks. These feed power into the grid via dedicated transformers and switchgear. In many countries special Acts and regulations govern remuneration for solar power, whether via feed-in tariffs or market premiums for direct sales to third parties.

Self-consumption can be increased by using solar power for heating waterroom heating, air conditioning or refrigeration. Battery storage systems help by storing surplus solar electricity for later use. These so-called solar batteries improve system reliability, especially when solar output dips.

Not all incoming sunlight is converted into electricity. The conversion rate depends on the intensity and wavelength of the incoming light spectrum. This ratio between usable electrical output and the maximum available solar radiation is known as efficiency.

The performance of a solar generator or storage system is defined by its output. When multiplied by the number of sunshine hours, this gives the solar yield – the amount of electricity generated per day, month or year. In addition to charging and discharging power, solar batteries are also rated by their capacity, or the amount of energy they can store. Power is measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW), while energy and yield are expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or megawatt-hours (MWh). (HS)