Photovoltaic cells, or also known as PV, have been around since the early 19th century. However, it is only recently that they have become widely used as an efficient and cost-effective way to generate electricity. Photovoltaic Systems have been around in Cyprus for quite some time but recently they have gained a significant amount of popularity since the electricity prices and costs have reached the roof and people want to cut down the prices by installing their own photovoltaic systems for their homes. Here is how photovoltaics have changed the way we generate electricity in Cyprus. Make sure to check out Photovoltaics in Cyprus and learn more.
What Are Photovoltaic Cells?
Photovoltaic cells are semiconductor devices made from materials such as silicon that convert sunlight into direct current electricity. These cells are arranged in panels or arrays and can be used to power equipment such as lights and motors. The energy generated by PV cells is clean, renewable, and relatively inexpensive compared to other energy sources such as fossil fuels.
The Advantages of Photovoltaics
There are several advantages to using photovoltaic cells over traditional sources of energy generation. First, PV cells do not require any moving parts or combustible fuels to operate so they have very low maintenance costs. Additionally, photovoltaic systems can be installed anywhere where there can be direct sunlight from the sun. PV systems can be installed almost anywhere on the rooftops of the property or even on the side if an open space is available. Also, many people tend to place their photovoltaics in a different area away from their home but have the electricity cost from the house be balanced with the electricity produced by the photovoltaics. Finally, photovoltaic systems are very reliable and can provide consistent power even during cloudy weather or at night when solar radiation is not available.
Lastly, another major benefit of using photovoltaics is their ability to reduce carbon emissions from electricity production significantly. According to a study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, utilizing solar energy can reduce global emissions by up to 4 gigatons per year which is equivalent to taking 1 billion cars off the road! So, at the end of the day even from a small island like Cyprus, environmental change can be made and since while everyone is installing photovoltaics to cut down the electricity cost, they are also working towards a greener and more environmentally friendly way of life.
