Frequently Asked Questions about Renewable Energy

How do Photovoltaics work?: When light strikes the photovoltaic cell, the electrons in the PV cell become excited. The electrons tend to accumulate on one side of the semiconductor, while the other side has fewer electrons. This creates a voltage between them. If a wire connects the two sides this voltage will cause a current to flow. This current can be used in series or parallel or series and parallel with other cells to create almost any desired amount of current or voltage. This is DC voltage. If AC is desired an inverter must be used.
Are Photovoltaics cost effective?: PV is cost effective in virtually all off grid applications today. If you consider the true costs of bringing utility power to your site, we believe nearly everyone will agree that solar is cost effective today in nearly all applications.
Not included in Utility price per KWH: Externality costs: costs not charged to the consumer, but paid by others thru increased illness or lower environmental/quality of life or higher direct costs paid in other ways.