Solar Photovoltaics (PVs)
The Sun is the planet's most powerful source of energy and also the most unused source of energy. Solar power is a clean, environmentally friendly source of energy. It is renewable meaning it is impossible to consume the energy at a faster rate than it takes to replenish it for future users. There are no toxic by products or emissions. There are two different types of solar energy products available at eco NRG: Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaic.
Solar Photovoltaics (PVs) are arrays of cells containing a material that converts solar radiation into direct current electricity.
Solar cells produce direct current electricity from light, which can be used to power equipment or to recharge a battery. The first practical application of photovoltaics was to power orbiting satellites and other spacecraft, but today the majority of photovoltaic modules are used for grid connected power generation. In this case an inverter is required to convert the DC to AC.
Materials presently used for photovoltaics include amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, microcrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium selenide/sulfide. Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced dramatically in recent years. Photovoltaic production has been doubling every 2 years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology.
At eco NRG we are currently collaborating with manufacturers on an array of new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
On 1st April 2010, the Government introduced the Clean Energy Cash Back scheme. The scheme requires energy suppliers to make regular payments to householders who generate their own electricity from renewable sources such as solar photovoltaic technology. For information on this please visit www.econrgsolutions.co.uk/feedintariffs.html
Unfortunately, The Low Carbon Buildings Programme householder scheme is now closed to new applications for grants for electricity generating technologies.