What is Solar Photovoltaics (PV)?
This information will help you understand how solar modules convert the sun's rays into electricity.
Solar electric modules (called photovoltaic or PV) can generate electricity for a range of applications:
- marine and aviation navigation lights, water pumping
- telecommunication repeater stations
- oil and gas SCADA systems
- off-grid remote houses
- off-grid lodges for fishing, hunting, and eco-tourism
- on-grid "distributed generation" to reduce peak power loads, save on utility bills, reduce stress on distribution lines, and provide voltage support for distribution lines.
- Solar PV technologies convert sunlight to electricity, as compared to active solar collectors (which convert sunlight to heat). The efficiency of solar PV increases in colder temperatures and is particularly well-suited for Canada's climate. A number of technologies are available which offer different solar conversion efficiencies and pricing.
- Solar PV modules can be grouped together as an array of series and parallel connected modules to provide any level of power requirements, from mere watts (W) to kilowatt (kW) and megawatt (MW) size.
The size of the solar array, battery bank, and AC inverter required for a typical solar PV application depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of electricity you use, the amount of sunlight at the site, the number of days without backup that you require, and the peak electricity demand at any given time. Sufficient battery storage can easily allow a solar PV system to operate fully independently of a utility or genset back-up.
On the technology side, it is easy to interconnect your PV system to your local utility company -- there are no technical barriers. There may be regulations, however, that you will need to work through with your utility, in order for them to allow you to generate your own electricity. The Canadian Electrical Code makes provision for you to generate your own electricity and to feed any excess back into the utility's power lines. Most solar PV equipment can be easily checked to ensure that it meets the provisions of the Code for safety purposes.
PV modules should be oriented between south-east and south-west (due south is best). Modules generally need an unobstructed view of the sun all the year. Systems can be sized to provide 100 percent of your electricity consumption at a cottage or campsite, or as a supplement to conventional utility electricity or genset electricity. A tracking system can orient the solar array to maximize its electricity production throughout the day and the year by tracking the movement of the sun, though this is typically not practical for most applications.
At this time, there are no national incentive programs for the installation of solar electric systems.
For an accurate assessment of your needs and your site, a qualified system designer can provide you with guidance that you need. We recommend that you rely on a CanSIA member, who has agreed to comply with CanSIA's Code of Ethics to ensure satisfaction for your specific installation.
Still want to learn more? Check out the resources and/or archives section.
