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Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels |
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Thursday, 26 June 2008 |
Introduction
Photovoltaic Solar Panels provide energy in the form of electricity to the home. With the ability to net-meter (see Micro-Generation Regulation), energy produced onto the grid when it is not used in the home makes this technology attractive.
Discussion
Photovoltaic Solar Panels are desgned to convert solar energy into electricity. This electricity must be converted from direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) to operate most home devices. Some efficiency savings could be realized if DC appliances and lighting were used, but the energy could not be exported to the grid with an inverter. Furthermore, DC appliances and fixtures are not as readily available and are more expensive as a result. A more lengthy justification of PV panels may be found under Energy and a description of the technology may be found under Photovoltaic Solar Panel Technology.
Evaluation
To install 2 kWpeak of PV panels requires approximately 19.2 square meters of panel area. Embodied energy is 5.2 GJ/m² of primary energy which is equivalent to roughly 0.5 tonne of CO2 eq for each square meter of panel. The technical data is elaborated on the Photovoltaic Solar Panel RETScreen® Analysis.
This system will avoid 2.8 tonnes of CO2 eq each year for an energy return less than 4 years. As discussed previously, this return on invested energy depends on the efficient utilization of this electricity. Generating electricity that is wasted is contradictory to the goals of ‘green’ design.
Financial payback for a system (assuming about $1000 / kWpeak installed) exceeds the life-cycle of the PV panel. Not unlike solar water heating, this system is environmentally justified, but cost prohibitive.
Recommendation
It is recommended that between 1 kWpeak and 2 kWpeak PV system be installed on The Living Home. This will provide approximately 2500 kWh of electricity to the home each year (approximately 30% of an average home electricity demand in Canada). |
This is an artists rendition of "The Living Home" This is an approximation of what the exterior of the house will look like. If you would like to see a panorama of the home you can click here or on the picture.
