Quezi

A Large Photovoltaic Solar Array (US Dept. of Energy - PD)

Photovoltaic cells directly convert sunlight into electricity.   In the past few decades, this elegant source of solar energy has become more efficient, cheaper, and more versatile in how and where they can be put to use.   As the world ever-so-slowly weans itself from a dependence on fossil fuels, solar power from PV cells will play an important role in meeting society’s need for electricity.

Photovoltaic cells offer numerous benefits:

• PV operates cleanly.  There are no emissions or pollution associated with the use of solar cells.  (There are environmental impacts from the manufacture of PV cells, but these are considered relatively small).
• Photovoltaics provide a highly reliable system.  Once PV cells are in place and providing electricity, they are very low-cost and low maintenance.
• Modular PV panels can be used in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, as stand alone sources of electricity, or as an integral component of a residential, commercial, or institutional building.
• Photovoltaics is increasingly cost-competitive with alternative sources of electricity, such as oil, natural gas, coal or nuclear.  Exact comparisions are difficult due to government subsidies, but PV costs are coming down rapidly.
• PV cells allow greater independence and freedom of choice.  Individual users can generate power awar from an established electricity grid.  Nations can reduce the the need to import fuels to generate electricity.

On top of everything else, PV cells are just cool.  Want to see the ones on my house in Washington DC?  Here you go.

See also: Green electricity when the sun’s not shining.