Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Cells

Energy created by the sun is called solar energy. This renewable energy can be captured in two basic ways:

• Solar thermal energy uses the sun’s heat to make hot water or heat a home, and
• Solar electric energy converts sunlight into electricity.

AllSun Trackers are solar tracker systems that convert the light of the sun into electricity. This process happens in solar panels consisting of photovoltaic cells. “Photo” means light and “voltaic” means electricity. Photovoltaic cells are referred to as PV.

Environmental and Financial Benefits of Solar Power

There are many environmental benefits of renewable energy from solar power:

• Solar power systems generate power without creating any pollution.
• The fuel is free, abundant and locally available, requiring no fossil fuels for transportation.
• The sun is a renewable energy source.
• Unlike energy supplied from nuclear power and coal, solar energy does not require large amounts of water or produce large amounts of waste.

Financial benefits of solar power include:

• Reducing your need for electricity from your local utility reduces your monthly electric bill.
• Decreasing your reliance on utility-supplied power limits your exposure to increasing electric rates.
• Taking advantage of tax rebates and incentive programs enables homeowners, businesses, schools, and non-profit and public entities to recoup a sizeable portion of the cost of purchasing renewable energy systems.
• Your purchase of solar power promotes the creation of renewable energy jobs and supports the growth of this important economic sector in your local community.