Photovoltaic / Guides

Diligent research is absolutely essential for any homeowner looking to install a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system on their home. But at some point, you need to hand the reins over to a trustworthy contractor. To get to that point of trust, you need to ask questions to confirm you’re getting the best equipment and ...

...photovoltaic cells; the goal being to increase the watts produced per panel. Joshua M. Pearce, professor of engineering at Michigan Technology University, recently published an article in Green Building Advisor that demonstrates the results of his research on this. Working in conjunction with a study group in Canada, h...

...photovoltaic) . New homes can be made 'solar ready' which is very inexpensive, adds value for resale, and is worth LEED points. It is a simple matter of running a normal 4 inch plumbing pipe from your attic to your utility room. By doing so, installing solar panels (thermal or photovoltaic) is a simple matter of fi...

...Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels Without getting overly technical, Photovoltaic solar panels essentially convert the sun’s rays into electricity. Systems can be large enough to provide your entire home power needs, and be either stored in batteries or fed back into the power grid. When you hear the words ‘net meterin...

Standard solar panels are rigid, relatively heavy and fragile. A new product on the market called Microsystems Enabled Photovoltaics (MEPV) from mPower Technology may change that. The cells in these pliable sheets are made from high-efficiency silicon, and if one cell is damaged or loses power, the rest will continu...

...Photovoltaic systems in the mechanical room of this Net Zero Energy Home © Ecohome When initially installed, Alain Hamel's off-grid standard photovoltaic system was designed to supply only the electrical appliances in the home. As advised later by Patrick Déry, member of GREB (Group Ecological Research of the Bay),...

...photovoltaics (PV) as they are technically called - generate an electric current by catching light particles from the sun called photons. These photons then knock free the electrons in the panels’ solar cells and produce an electric current. This current is transferred to wires that lead to an inverter. The inverter co...

...photovoltaic solar panel system for your home makes far more financial sense than even just a few years ago. When thinking about the long-term return on investment, in some cases it can actually be on par or an even more affordable option than what is offered by local utilities. Much of the appeal of private power ge...

...photovoltaic panels here , or if you're looking to build soon, look for inspiration for building a near zero energy home on a budget here , or find out all about Passive House certification & design in North America here - from The EcoHome Green Building Guides ... Solar tracker © Ecohome STORY UPDATE: In Canad...

...photovoltaic cells that charge batteries which then powers interior lights and the outdoor LED display . © Raphaël Thibodeau Us: Is this shelter a first in Québec? L. McC : There are buildings that are heated with solar power in Quebec, but they are almost all private residences. The originality of this project stems f...

...photovoltaic panels for make-up energy. Water conservation and material selection strategies are also commendable . Project Performance: Energy intensity 26 KWh/m2/year. All energy required on an annual basis is supplied by a 25KW photovoltaic array Potable water consumption from municipal sources 76.7L/occupant/...