LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 05/16/12 — British Gas have launched a new range of solar panels that are designed to help the environment by enabling households to generate their own low carbon energy whilst saving hundreds of pounds a year.
Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of generating electrical power. It converts solar radiation, i.e. sunlight, into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect – the creation of voltage or electric current in a material upon exposure to light.
Photovoltaic power generation employs composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. It works by taking the electrical energy created when the light hits the silicon cells in the solar panels, and collecting it in a central point – usually located in a property–s loft space. This central point works almost like a battery. The energy is converted from DC to AC current, and is carried through a property–s existing electricity system. The electricity it generates works using existing circuitry to help power household appliances and lighting.
Contrary to many people–s opinions, solar panels do not require warmth to generate electricity. They only need light, which is excellent news for Britons, given the notoriously unpredictable weather. Even more significantly, do not require direct sunlight. They only require daylight, so
work equally well on cloudy days. Whilst expensive to install initially, the potential for saving by utilising solar PV panels is massive. By generating your own electricity, you could save upwards of GBP 500 per year on your energy bills(1) – something which is certainly worth investigation in otherwise tough financial times.
Even better, the Government–s latest plans for Feed-in Tariffs – designed to encourage people to generate their own electricity through systems such as this – mean that you will get paid for the energy you generate, even if you use it. Which all adds up to some pretty tempting savings.
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Contacts:
Felicity Callaghan
+44 (0)7769 542 360