Why not take full advantage of such a huge and continuous energy source as the sun?
An answer can be PHOTOVOLTAIC technology, which makes it possible to turn sunlight energy into electric power. A great result in a simple form.
The development and consolidation of materials, systems and techniques make PHOTOVOLTAIC an important and interesting quickly growing source of ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.
Its limitless and flexible potential for practical application make it a simple, adjustable source, which can be applied and used in a wide range of situations.
It is simple because, while photovoltaic systems produce energy for many years, we almost forget that they are there. Indeed, the maintenance they require is close to nothing.
Adjustable because, since they can be structured and assembled in countless ways, efficient systems can be implemented, even in difficult areas. In addition to this, it is also possible to get important and positive results in terms of architectural and environmental impact.
Applicable because it can be used in potentially all types of free areas, both on the land or under a cover. Therefore, we should not necessarily find new surfaces to install photovoltaic systems, but it is also possible to use existing ones which are not being used, for instance a roof, a car-park or an industrial warehouse cover.
Usable in various situations, since it can meet energy requirement issues where there is no national distribution network, it can make it possible to build small energy islands detached from the national electric power network, but most importantly it makes it possible to produce energy both for one’s one consumption and to sell it to third parties.
Why not contribute to environmental protection by also using the clean energy produced by photovoltaic systems?
Energy produced by means of photovoltaic technologies is absolutely “clean”, since it is obtained in an easy way, by means of a simple physical conversion.
There is no combustion or chemical reaction in this process.
This results in a total absence of emissions and a remarkably positive effect on the currently degenerated atmosphere, which is affecting our lives.
This results in a total absence of emissions and a remarkably positive effect on the currently degenerated atmosphere, which is affecting our lives.
No dispersion and no anomalous magnetic field can be generated by a photovoltaic system
Fundamentally, any surface is suitable for installing a photovoltaic system.
The best surfaces, of course, are those heading south precisely, with an angle of 30-35°. In this way, the action of the sun and the specific results for the surface in question are optimised.
The many solutions and devices available make it possible to install systems even on harder surfaces or surfaces not endowed with ideal characteristics.
For instance, flat surfaces, on which by using some specific structures to install modules with the ideal 30-35° angle you have a problem due to shadows projected between module rows, which can be solved by suitably distancing the various module rows from one another; however, in this way an almost double area in comparison with sloping surfaces is required.
Modules can also be architectural solutions to cover walls or visible surfaces and also work, indirectly, as glass walls.
For instance, this is the case of office buildings or visible surfaces of industrial or commercial complexes.
Also when the surface in question is not orientated in a geographically normal way, it is possible to adjust its position by means of suitable structures; the same holds true in the presence of particular obstacles.
If the surface available for the system is high and large, such as to avoid shadowing of some module rows on other modules, installing sun trackers can also be taken into consideration.
Finally, when it is not possible to use surfaces on the ground or when they should be left unoccupied, pillar photovoltaic surfaces are opted for. They can also be set up as sun trackers.
Summing up, there are a wide range of potential solutions for suitable applications; however, not everything is or should be possible.
Aesthetic solutions and architectural structures are also important and necessary; quite rightly, today they are also taken into consideration and regulated from a legislative point of view.
Areas which should mostly be taken into consideration are:
- private or public site shelters
- public, industrial or commercial parking lot shelters
- visible walls of civil houses and industrial or commercial complexes
- sloping roofs of civil houses and warehouses
- flat roofs of civil houses and warehouses
- warehouse Y-beam roofs
- flat or sloping land, characterised by untilled, bumpy or disused terrain
