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

Latest news

Inside the larger FWS version: surge protection above, emergency-switch circuitry below

New Citel boxes combine fire safety and surge defence

-

The FWS 3 and FWS 6 generator junction boxes with fire switches are designed for solar installations up to 1,000 volts DC and also shield inverters against surges.

New mounting technology is opening up even more areas for solar power

Solar Investors Guide – Innovations for mounting

-

Energy crises and rising fossil and nuclear prices are making solar and battery storage more attractive than ever, driving demand across industrial rooftops, open land and car parks – find out more in the latest guide.

CEO Esref Deniz (left) explains the ENTEGRO strategy

ENTEGRO PV SYSTEMS: one idea ahead

-

CEO Talk: ENTEGRO develops, plans and implements PV projects for companies and investors. Driven by the ambition to always be one idea better, the company consistently pushes innovation, efficiency and project quality. What this means in practice, and how it translates into real economic advantages, is revealed in a behind-the-scenes look.

The OIEiEK hopes to enable the construction of around 500 self-consumption systems each year

Bosnia and Herzegovina opens first residential solar scheme

-

The Federation has adopted its first support scheme for residential solar self-consumption, offering grants of up to 7,000 KM and full financing for socially vulnerable households from 2026 to 2030.

May sees module prices rise sharply, with premium segment in front

May PV Index – prices up, confidence up, inverters steady

-

Sun.store data show solar module prices climbing across the European market in May, with the PV Purchasing Managers' Index jumping to 70 – its strongest reading since the start of the year.

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)