Cost of Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic panels have revolutionized the idea of renewable energy by harnessing the photons from solar radiation and generating usable electricity for a variety of purposes. With no harmful impact on the environment or any by products requiring waste management, pv solar panel technology is a promising alternative power option. The only draw back of photovoltaic panels is the cost. The cost of photovoltaic panel systems in the UK has proven to be too expensive for most households and businesses to consider. Although the energy savings can be huge in the long term, the initial cost of purchasing and installing photovoltaic solar panel systems, has not made it a priority to most households and businesses. The market is changing and now it is possible to find affordable solutions and to compare photovolatic solar panel prices from certified industry suppliers. More government intervention could make the switch to photovoltaic solar systems easier and rebate systems have started in the UK, albeit in a small way.

A Photovoltaic Array

The configuration of several solar or photovoltaic panels will be determined by the required Kilowatts per hour of the installation site and the available 'sun hours' per day of the location. Available sun hours per day are calculated by working out how many hours of sunlight produce usable solar energy for a desired output of a photovoltaic panel system over a particular time frame, per area or geographical location. Photovoltaic panels do not require any mechanical parts, make no noise and have zero emissions, making them an excellent choice for a renewable energy source.

Photovoltaic Configuration and Cost

The cost of a photovoltaic solar panel system will depend on the power output requirements and the geographical location of the installation. For example, 10 hours of sunlight in Mombasa, Kenya, may produce 8 hours of usable solar energy for photovoltaic cells to produce a desired output over a 24 hour period. This would provide a value called 'insolation' and would be an insolation value of 8 or 8 ?sun hours? for Mombasa. The same power output requirements for Stockholm in Sweden during the month of January may produce an insolation value of 2. This would mean that more powerful (and more expensive) photovoltaic panels would be required to generate the same power output as a Mombasa installation, over the same time frame. When several photovoltaic panels are configured together they are referred to as a photovoltaic array.

Photovoltaic Panels Cost Considerations

Before deciding on the configuration of photovoltaic solar panel system, it is advisable to maximize energy efficiencies by cutting out wasteful practices within the current power consumption model to ensure the maximum benefits of the photovoltaic panel system. Photovoltaic panel costs can start from as little as £30 for a simple, low power output to recharge a mobile phone, right up to and above £30,000 for a residential or commercial photovoltaic system used for powering heating or electricity systems.