History of Solar
The science of photovoltaic began in 1838 with a pair of French physicists working on the generation of electricity through chemical reactions. The physicists noticed that exposing the apparatus to sunlight increased the output of electrical energy. By 1954, Bell Laboratories announced the developments that finally brought photovoltaic out of the lab and into the realm of practical application, the single-crystal silicon cell.
The science of photovoltaic began in 1838 with a pair of French physicists working on the generation of electricity through chemical reactions. The physicists noticed that exposing the apparatus to sunlight increased the output of electrical energy. By 1954, Bell Laboratories announced the developments that finally brought photovoltaic out of the lab and into the realm of practical application, the single-crystal silicon cell.
How Solar Electricity Works
• Solar panels collect the sun’s light energy and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. The number of panels you need is determined by your electricity needs.
• Solar panels collect the sun’s light energy and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. The number of panels you need is determined by your electricity needs.
• An inverter converts the electricity from DC to alternating current (AC) electricity for use in your building.
• A bi-directional electric meter displays net power usage. When you generate more than you use, your meter spins backwards, lowering your electricity bill. When you generate less, it spins slowly forward.
• You now produce your own electricity to be used throughout the home. Since there are no moving parts, you don’t have to worry about maintenance. You can track your system’s production with the REC Solar Wireless Display conveniently from inside your home.
Solar (PV) System
The solar or photovoltaic system is a renewable energy system using PV panels or PV thin-film to convert sun light into usable energy. The system type, orientation and tilt of the solar panel array will be determined by the specific site conditions and energy requirements. Installations of solar panels can be roof or ground mounted. Roof mounted systems are installed on both flat and pitched roofs and can be mounted using mechanical hardware or with a ballast system of weight to secure the panels to the roof. Ground mounted arrays can be fixed or designed to incorporate the technology of one-axis or two-axis tracking in order to maximize the energy production by following the path of the sun on a daily or seasonal basis.
The solar or photovoltaic system is a renewable energy system using PV panels or PV thin-film to convert sun light into usable energy. The system type, orientation and tilt of the solar panel array will be determined by the specific site conditions and energy requirements. Installations of solar panels can be roof or ground mounted. Roof mounted systems are installed on both flat and pitched roofs and can be mounted using mechanical hardware or with a ballast system of weight to secure the panels to the roof. Ground mounted arrays can be fixed or designed to incorporate the technology of one-axis or two-axis tracking in order to maximize the energy production by following the path of the sun on a daily or seasonal basis.
BIPV Construction
A Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) system consists of integrating photovoltaic modules into the building envelope, such as in the roof, facade, window, skylight or awning. The photovolataics are integrated in the form of a solar cell made of crystalline silicon or as PV thin film, simultaneously functioning as the building envelope material and as a power generator. BIPV systems present an opportunity to integrate an energy producing technology into the designed elements of a building exterior. The technology of BIPV is continually expanding in response to the current awareness and necessity for more efficient building design.
A Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) system consists of integrating photovoltaic modules into the building envelope, such as in the roof, facade, window, skylight or awning. The photovolataics are integrated in the form of a solar cell made of crystalline silicon or as PV thin film, simultaneously functioning as the building envelope material and as a power generator. BIPV systems present an opportunity to integrate an energy producing technology into the designed elements of a building exterior. The technology of BIPV is continually expanding in response to the current awareness and necessity for more efficient building design.
Daylighting
Daylighting is the practice of using indirect natural light to illuminate interior spaces. The concept of daylighting has been incorporated into the design of buildings since ancient times but is now again gaining popularity because of the advantages it can provide. Using elements of daylighting will enhance the lighting in the interior space and will save energy cost of artificial lighting. There are a variety of different daylighting BIPV systems available for windows, ceilings, skylights, glazing, tubular devices, shading applications, fixtures and more that can be incorporated into the architectural design of a structure or can be retrofitted into an existing environment. Daylighting is a great solution for both commercial and residential applications.
Daylighting is the practice of using indirect natural light to illuminate interior spaces. The concept of daylighting has been incorporated into the design of buildings since ancient times but is now again gaining popularity because of the advantages it can provide. Using elements of daylighting will enhance the lighting in the interior space and will save energy cost of artificial lighting. There are a variety of different daylighting BIPV systems available for windows, ceilings, skylights, glazing, tubular devices, shading applications, fixtures and more that can be incorporated into the architectural design of a structure or can be retrofitted into an existing environment. Daylighting is a great solution for both commercial and residential applications.
Wind Turbine
Wind turbine systems are one of the most affordable and efficient forms of renewable energy and best suited for areas with high wind speed. A wind turbine converts the energy of wind into kinetic energy. Wind turbines can be installed in a large or small scale, as a wind farms on larger plots of land and water or mounted along the roof edge of commercial, governmental or a residential building. Wind turbines have been designed to rotate in either a horizontal or vertical-axis. Inherent in both of these design types are positive and negative attributes and it relies on the specific site conditions to
Wind turbine systems are one of the most affordable and efficient forms of renewable energy and best suited for areas with high wind speed. A wind turbine converts the energy of wind into kinetic energy. Wind turbines can be installed in a large or small scale, as a wind farms on larger plots of land and water or mounted along the roof edge of commercial, governmental or a residential building. Wind turbines have been designed to rotate in either a horizontal or vertical-axis. Inherent in both of these design types are positive and negative attributes and it relies on the specific site conditions to
Green Roof System
A green roof system is a multi-layer system that partially or completely covers the existing roof surface with vegetation. This environmentally friendly addition to a building or home has become more popular due to the awareness of its benefits to the environment. Green roofs decrease storm-water runoff, releasing water back into the atmosphere while retaining unwanted pollutants and CO2 in its’ soil, they combat urban heat island effect, cooling the air in urban environments, improve insulation of buildings, and add to a more balanced ecosystem by providing a habitat for plants, insects and animals.
A green roof system is a multi-layer system that partially or completely covers the existing roof surface with vegetation. This environmentally friendly addition to a building or home has become more popular due to the awareness of its benefits to the environment. Green roofs decrease storm-water runoff, releasing water back into the atmosphere while retaining unwanted pollutants and CO2 in its’ soil, they combat urban heat island effect, cooling the air in urban environments, improve insulation of buildings, and add to a more balanced ecosystem by providing a habitat for plants, insects and animals.