Solar PV
What it is and how it works
Photovoltaics take energy from the sun and convert it to electricity.
Technology
PV cells are made from semi-conductor materials that are able to release electrons when exposed to solar radiation by using the photo-electric effect. The electrons from many cells are gathered together through conductors to make up the generation capacity of one module and many modules can be connected together to produce power in vast quantities.
Applications
PVs have a wide range of applications and are extremely versatile and modular. The same technology can be used as a individual panel for supplementing consumption on a residential home or as a vast collection of panels making up a utility scale power generation facility mega-watts in size.
Environmental impact
Photovoltaic energy is clean, cost effective and distributed.
What’s happening internationally?
PV is the fastest growing power generation technology in the world. Between 2006-2009 the installed capacity globally grew on average by 60% per year. Nowadays more than 35GW of PVs are installed and operating world wide producing more than 30 terra-watt hours of clean energy per year.
Where we’re at in SA?
The huge potential for PV in South Africa is relatively untapped. Our government is trying to introduce a tariff subsidy to spur the initiation of an industry that could see as much as 8000MW installed by 2020.
FAQ?
- Is PV expensive?
PV was historically regarded as a costly technology but already today we see that grid parity is reached in many countries around the world. Technological and transactional costs are constantly dropping and sources in industry believe panel prices could be seen as low as 1US $ per watt by 2020. Already in Europe there are estimations that PVs could generate energy at a levelised cost of between 14-32€c PV on rooftops also competes with retail electricity prices making it more competitive than conventional large scale generation alternatives that have to compete at wholesale electricity prices.
