|Photovoltaic cells (PVs) are a very different technology from solar water heating, and use light to generate electricity. They are
particularly well suited to sites where a grid connection would be difficult or expensive or that are only used in the summer. For an independent power supply, solar works well with wind as there
is a good balance of both over the year. Solar electricity, like electricity from other renewable energy sources, doesn't produce carbon dioxide or harm the environment.
Although start-up costs are higher than other renewable technologies, PVs have key advantages:
- there are no moving parts to fix so they are relatively easy to install and maintain
- they can be sited in urban areas and are not restricted in the way that wind and hydro-power systems are
- they can replace other roofing materials, for example tiles. The cells are embedded in a flat, waterproof material to form 'modules', which make ideal cladding
material for walls and roofs
- they need not take up any additional land space.