Change CountryBuilding Efficiency Photovoltaic
The amount of sunlight reaching the surface of the earth every hour contains enough energy to meet the world’s energy demand for an entire year. As a global leader in energy efficiency and sustainability, Johnson Controls wants to help you harness a portion of the sun’s energy to help you meet your energy needs using this most renewable of resources.
Solar energy can be converted directly (photovoltaic) into electricity through photovoltaic devices. The resulting electricity can offset utility costs.
Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of sunlight to electricity through a photovoltaic cell (PV), a non-mechanical device usually made from silicon alloys. As sunlight strikes a PV cell, it creates an electron imbalance between the front and back surfaces of the cell. Electricity occurs when these two surfaces are joined together by a conductor. Individual PV cells are electrically connected into a packaged, weather-tight module. Depending on the power output needed, modules can be further connected to form a PV array, essentially a generating plant made up of any number of modules.
Solar energy can be converted directly (photovoltaic) into electricity through photovoltaic devices. The resulting electricity can offset utility costs.
Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of sunlight to electricity through a photovoltaic cell (PV), a non-mechanical device usually made from silicon alloys. As sunlight strikes a PV cell, it creates an electron imbalance between the front and back surfaces of the cell. Electricity occurs when these two surfaces are joined together by a conductor. Individual PV cells are electrically connected into a packaged, weather-tight module. Depending on the power output needed, modules can be further connected to form a PV array, essentially a generating plant made up of any number of modules.
Is this the right technology for my situation?
For photovoltaic technology to be considered, the facility should be tied to the grid and/or have ability for a stand alone photovoltaic system to provide electricity at or near current costs when state incentives are factored in and/or electricity rates are above $.10 to $.12 per KWH.Solar Power Facts:
- In 2010, grid-connected photovoltaic installations doubled to 878 MW, compared with the 435 MW installed in 2009.
- The cumulative installed PV capacity in the US in 2010 was 2.1 GW.
- The U.S. represents approximately 5% of the global installations.
- In 2010, the solar PV market in the U.S. reached $6 billion in sales.
- In 1985, annual solar installation demand in the U.S. was only 21 MW.
- Solar Energy demand has grown at about 25% per annum over the past 15 years (hydrocarbon energy demand typically grows between 0-2% per annum).
- The US market experienced a 102% growth rate in 2010.
(Source: Solar Energy Industry Association)
To read a more in-depth review of this technology, visit the NREL website.
RESOURCES
Solar Kit brochure (PDF)
Learn about our 5 kW solar kits as seen in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Learn about our 5 kW solar kits as seen in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Harnessing the sun’s energy (PDF)
Johnson Controls wants to help you harness a portion of the sun’s energy to help you meet your energy needs using this most renewable of resources.
Johnson Controls wants to help you harness a portion of the sun’s energy to help you meet your energy needs using this most renewable of resources.
FEATURED CASE STUDY
29 Palms Marine Base (PDF)
A long-term strategic approach to energy efficiency developed by Johnson Controls is helping the Twentynine Palms military base secure a reliable energy supply, while saving nearly $7 million per year.
A long-term strategic approach to energy efficiency developed by Johnson Controls is helping the Twentynine Palms military base secure a reliable energy supply, while saving nearly $7 million per year.
More information on photovoltaic energy or for a more in-depth resource map.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PRESS
Wyandotte Public Schools
Wyandotte Michigan
District teamed with Johnson Controls to implement a 10 kW photovoltaic system at Wilson Middle School to serve as a hybrid energy conservation system and learning tool.
Wyandotte Michigan
District teamed with Johnson Controls to implement a 10 kW photovoltaic system at Wilson Middle School to serve as a hybrid energy conservation system and learning tool.
