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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

Solar energy is 100% “green” technology from the sun and is a great energy solution for owners or operators looking for environmentally-friendly sources of power with long-term benefits, providing top energy savings over a long period of time. With financial incentives and credits available for solar power projects and no fuel costs or major maintenance costs, solar energy has recently become much more affordable.

New, highly efficient solar energy technologies like photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells allow direct conversion of solar energy to electricity. Some solar systems are mounted on motorized frames, allowing the system to move with the sun and optimize solar generation. Other solar energy systems have been incorporated into roofing materials, allowing the owners/operators to benefit from solar technology for the price of a standard roofing job.

The Technology PVs are solid-state devices, meaning they have no moving parts. They are usually categorized into crystalline and thin-film (also called amorphous) technology. Crystalline PV cells have a sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 11-15%, whereas thin-film technologies are less efficient at 5.5% to 7.5%. PV systems require large un-shaded areas, which may be a constraint on some projects. In general, a crystalline PV panel will provide about 10-watts of peak power per square foot of area (i.e. approximately 100 sq.ft. are required for 1 KW of power).
	240 kW Solar Photovoltaic Array
System performance is affected by orientation, tilt, and the amount of ambient sunlight (i.e. Seattle vs. L.A.). They generally perform best when oriented towards the south and tilted from horizontal at a latitude specific angle. PV systems are typically installed in a “grid-connected” configuration with the PV output synchronized and paralleling the utility grid supplied power. An inverter is required to convert the DC output to AC power, but no batteries are required for this type of system, because the grid is essentially used as storage medium. In addition to reducing electricity bills, protecting facilities from volatile utility rates, and being easily scalable, PV also includes the ability to reduce peak demand charges. When the utility grid is at peak demand (say, on a hot day in August), the PV system is in full production mode, shaving the peak demand of the facilities and offsetting the most expensive power of the year.
In most states (especially energy-conscious California), utility and government sponsored incentive/rebate programs are available to offset the initial capital expense of a photovoltaic system by up to 75%. In addition, there are tax advantages available to owners/operators. As techniques of mass production become more efficient, the prices for these systems are anticipated to decrease further. A new product that recently entered the market offers new opportunities for PV power generation projects. A PV cell is integrated into a commercial roofing membrane. Although the efficiency of these particular arrays is somewhat lower than for traditional (framed) PV systems, in combination with the roof membrane, the product lends itself very well for roof replacement projects because the avoided roof cost enhances the overall economic benefits of the system.

The next>edge Advantage

next>edge has designed and installed 309 kW of solar photovoltaic systems, including, in 2000, the largest PV system at the time in the Western Hemisphere. Utilizing its expertise and resources, next>edge is able to deliver intelligent solutions that make sense from a technological, operational and economical point of view, including integrating solar into projects which include other energy efficiency technologies to maximize return on investment for our clients.