PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS

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Maximillian Miller
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1 PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS

2 PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY Photovoltaic (or PV systems) offer consumers the ability to generate electricity in a clean, quiet and reliable way. Because the source of light is the sun, they are often called solar cells. The word photovoltaic comes from photo, meaning light, and "voltaic", which refers to producing electricity. Therefore, the photovoltaic process is "producing electricity directly from sunlight." They work any time the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the sunlight is more intense and strikes the PV modules directly (as when rays of sunlight are perpendicular to the PV modules). Unlike solar thermal systems for heating water, PV does not use the sun s heat to make electricity. Instead, electrons freed by the interaction of sunlight with semiconductor materials in PV cells are captured in an electric current. PV allows you to produce electricity without noise or air pollution from a clean, renewable resource. A PV system never runs out of fuel, and it won t increase U.S. oil imports. Many PV system components are manufactured right here in the United States. Photovoltaic (PV) is an important energy technology for many reasons. As a solar energy technology, it has numerous environmental benefits. As a domestic source of electricity, it contributes to the nation s energy security. As a relatively young, high-tech industry, it helps to create jobs and strengthen the economy. As it costs increasingly less to produce and use, it becomes more affordable and available. Few power-generation technologies have as little impact on the environment as photovoltaics. As it quietly generates electricity from light, PV produces no air pollution or hazardous waste. It doesn t require liquid or gaseous fuels to be transported or combusted. Most important, because it s energy source is sunlight, it s free and abundant. PV systems can guarantee access to electric power. Modern solar electric power-generation systems such as photovoltaics are some of the most elegant and environmentally benign energy systems ever invented. Today s PV systems are used to generate electricity to pump water, light up the night, activate switches, charge batteries, supply power to the utility grid, and much more. Gerard M. Aliseo President Paul Aliseo Vice President and Project Executive Bhavesh Naik Designer/Estimator Phone: (732) Fax: (732) Lighton699@aol.com

Therefore, the photovoltaic process is "producing electricity directly from sunlight.

3 Q Q Q Why should I invest in a solar electric system? It will produce electricity for you every day The system helps combat Global Warming by reducing power plant pollution State rebates and tax credits pay for about half of the installed cost You will be protected against future electric rate hikes You will receive an annual return on your net investment of from 10% to 15%, which will increase if electric rates increase over the 30+ life of your solar system. Why is New Jersey subsidizing more than 30% of the cost of solar electric systems? Because utilities are having a hard time keeping up with growing electric demand. Clean energy programs encourage homes and businesses to adopt solar electric technology. If many buildings install solar electric systems, fewer new power plants and transmission lines will need to be built. What happens if my system produces more electricity than I am using at that moment? The excess electric flows back out over your existing electric lines and spins your meter backwards. You earn a credit at your high retail rate until the sun goes down and your meter spins forward again. The law allowing homeowners to spin their meter backwards, called Net Metering, is the law in 36 other states. FAQ How long will my solar module last? Frequently Asked Questions Q Q Q Most solar modules have performance warranties of 25 years and are expected to last at least 30 years. Inverters carry five-ten year warranties but are expected to last at least 20 years because they are fully electronic, and have essentially no moving parts. Will my solar electric system operate when my utility has an outage? The normal solar electric system must stop producing power when the electric grid is down for safety reasons. When grid power starts up again, the inverter will continue to provide power automatically. Battery backup inverters allow you to continue producing and using electricity from your solar array during a power outage. I still have questions. How can I get answers? Call us at (732) or us at Lighton699@aol.com. Q Q How much do I need to invest to own a solar electric system? Although most systems for homes cost between $25,000 and $75,000, the net investment by the homeowner is generally between $8,000 and $25,000. The net investment by businesses is generally from $20,000 to as much as several thousand dollars. Do solar electric systems generate electricity when it is cloudy? Yes, solar systems start producing under low levels of light, but produce the most in clear, sunny conditions. Bob Smith Solar Project Manager Bob has been associated with Lighton Industries Inc. for the past 25 years. Bob is an accomplished electrician with more than 30 years in the field. He is currently in charge of most of Lighton's solar projects. Q Is the Northeast a good place for solar energy? Yes, surprisingly good. In fact, we receive about 70% of the solar energy received in sunny San Diego because we have a coastal weather pattern. George Duncan Solar Project Manager George has been with Lighton Industries since 1980 and has been the Senior Project Manager on most of Lighton s high end electrical projects. His expertise has made him an invaluable asset to the company. He just completed a 14MW solar farm in East Windsor, NJ. 1

be protected against future electric rate hikes You will receive an annual return on your net investment of from 10% to 15%, which will increase if electric rates increase over the 30+ life of your

4 NJR/Advanced NJR/Advanced Solar Products, East Windsor Twp., N.J. 14 MW Ground Mounted System Photo Courtesy of Advanced Solar Products 2

5 Lawrenceville Lawrenceville Prep School Solar Farm 6.1 MW Ground Mounted Tracker System 3

6 Jersey Gardens Jersey Gardens Mall 4.6 MW Roof Mounted System 4

7 Dow Jones Dow Jones, Princeton, N.J. 4.2 MW Canopy Mounted System 5

8 Titusville J&J Janssen Pharmaceutical, Titusville, N.J. 4.2 MW Ground Mounted Tracker System 6

9 Manalapan Solar Village at Manalapan, N.J. 3.6 MW Ground Mounted System Toms River Toms River School District (7) Schools 2.5 MW Roof Mounted Systems 7

10 ASP/PSE&G PSE&G Silver Lake, Edison, N.J. 2 MW Ground Mounted System 8

11 Raritan Center Raritan Center, Edison, N.J. 2 MW Roof Mounted System 9

12 Staples Staples Distribution Center Secaucus 2 MW Roof Mounted System JCPenney JCPenney Woodbridge 273 KW Roof Mounted System 10

13 J&J Hyatt J&J Hyatt New Brunswick 358 KW Roof Mounted System Canoe Brook Canoe Brook Resevoir, Short Hills, N.J. 100 KW Ground Mounted System On Floats 11

14 Costco Costco, Manahawkin 451 KW Roof Mounted System orth Hudson North Hudson Sewerage Authority 314 KW Roof Mounted System 12

15 National Guard NJ National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt 230 KW Canopy Mounted System

16 Photovoltaic Solar Alternative Energy Systems 699 Cross Street, Lakewood, New Jersey State License No. 945 Phone (732) Fax (732)

PSE&G Solar Loan Program. Going Solar with PSE&G

PSE&G Solar Loan Program. Going Solar with PSE&G PSE&G Solar Loan Program Going Solar with PSE&G Solar Energy 101 Solar Energy 101 Benefits Produce some of your own power Conserve energy Eco friendly and renewable Systems are long lasting Require little