| There is a lot of energy in sunlight and that energy can | | | | produce the same amount of electricity.Monocrystalline |
| be converted to electricity with photovoltaic panels. | | | | panels are slightly more efficient in low light conditions, |
| These panels are made up of several photovoltaic | | | | but the difference is not significant. When choosing |
| cells which are constructed of treated silicon which | | | | photovoltaic panels the most significant factor is the |
| creates an electrical charge when exposed to | | | | amount of available space. If you have lots of room |
| sunshine.Each photovoltaic cell produces just a small | | | | you can install amorphous panels for less money.As |
| amount of electricity, so they are wired together into | | | | mentioned above, individual photovoltaic cells are wired |
| panels to provide enough current for common | | | | together into panels which can produce more |
| household appliances.Photovoltaic cells come in three | | | | electricity. The panels themselves can be wired |
| basic varieties. Monocrystalline are the most efficient | | | | together in parallel or in series to produce a variety of |
| but also the most expensive. They consist of a single | | | | currents suitable for almost any use.The panels and |
| crystal cut from an ingot of silicon.Polycrystalline are | | | | arrays produce Direct Current (DC) power so it must |
| the most common and slightly less efficient than | | | | be converted to Alternating Current (AC) for most |
| monocrystalline. The silicon they are made from have | | | | purposes. This is accomplished with an inverter.The |
| several small crystals.Amorphous cells are made by | | | | AC current from the inverter can be used to power |
| spreading the silicon on another material like stainless | | | | most household appliances. It can also be connected |
| steel. These cells are cheap to produce but produce | | | | to the breaker box from the utility company so that |
| significantly less power than the other two types. This | | | | solar electricity can act as a backup system to regular |
| means that photovoltaic panels must be larger to | | | | power supplies. |