Cayman residents will get a chance to learn more about solar energy at the Business Expo this weekend.
Using sunlight to heat water instead of electricity is one popular and common method of using solar energy. But the sun can also generate electricity with equipment called photovoltaics, or PV for short.
Local solar energy expert Dave Sawchak of Electra-Tech says photovoltaic energy is expensive, but it does offer other benefits.
‘Unlike solar water heating which gives a quick return on your investment, the return on investment for a photovoltaic system is much longer because of its expense,’ Mr. Sawchak said.
The process of converting the sun’s energy to electricity is not complicated, Mr. Sawchak said.
‘The sun shines on a silicon wafer or solar cell and stimulates electrons to move across it,’ he said. ‘When this occurs, an electrical current is created.’
One two-inch solar cell will generate approximately one watt of electricity, Mr. Sawchak said.
‘The more solar cells that are connected together in a solar panel, the more electricity the panel generates.’
The type of current generated by PV panels is DC current, which can be stored in batteries. Unfortunately, most appliances and devices in homes run on AC current.
DC current can be transformed to AC current by the use of an inverter, which means PV solar panels can generate electricity to run any home appliance.
‘The bad news is that it is expensive,’ said Mr. Sawchak. ‘That is why owners of PV systems will choose instead to run appliances such as their air conditioner and stove off of the power generated by their utility companies.’
Still, there are many other advantages of PV systems that offset their relatively high initial cost.
For instance, PV systems offer service security.
‘If the power is interrupted, as it was during Ivan, you will still have water, lights, refrigeration, fans and television being produced free from the sun,’ Mr. Sawchak said. ‘There’s no need for fuel to run noisy generators.’
Historically, PV systems have also required less maintenance than other electricity generating alternatives, Mr. Sawchak said.
‘A PV system can also be designed for easy expansion,’ he said. ‘You can start with a small system and add to it as time goes on.’
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of solar energy is the fuel is delivered free. In addition, PV systems do not create any pollution or waste products.
PV systems have also proven to be durable.
‘Most PV modules available today are based on technology that has shown little degradation in over 15 years,’ Mr. Sawchak said. ‘In fact most PV modules offer a 20-year warranty.’
Although a PV system requires initial investments, once it is installed, the electricity produced is free. With Cayman’s electricity rates already at an all-time high, a PV system could be a very good investment indeed.
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