IMPIANTI FOTOVOLTAICI

Photovoltaic systems convert solar energy directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. The panels are composed of basic units, called photovoltaic cells, consisting of semiconductor material, usually silicon properly treated; there are different types of cells: mono/ polycrystalline silicon, thin films (e.g. amorphous silicon, cadmium sulfide, cadmium telluride, etc.).

A system is made up by photovoltaic modules, mechanical support plants, an inverter and the counters.

Systems can be isolated (stand alone, with an energy storage system) or connected to the electricity grid (grid connected, with no storage systems).

The average life span of a system is about 25 years and the research in this field allows an increase of the efficiency (which currently is around 10-12%).

If all the direct costs are considered, the photovoltaic power is not cheap compared to non-renewable sources, but if all the indirect costs are considered (first of all the fact that it is an inexhaustible and that renewable energy from fossil fuels cause a considerable environment pollution), it is clear that photovoltaic is convenient and must be encouraged.

A photovoltaic system is a safe investment because it ensures a constant and planned return over the years, thanks to a guarantee of productivity certified by some of the most important multinational producers of raw materials.

Photovoltaic systems have several advantages, among which the most significant are:

• absence of any type of pollutant emissions;
• savings of fossil fuels;
• extreme reliability because there are no moving parts;
• reduction of maintenance costs to a minimum;