What Is a Photovoltaic Roofing Systems?
The Photovoltaic roof system is a rooftop PV system. This system has its electricity generating panels mounted on the rooftop of residential or commercial buildings. It includes various electrical accessories such as photovoltaic modules, mounting systems, solar inverters and cables.
The PV industry is one of the fastest growing industry in the world. It generates electricity which is consumed and fed back into the grid. A rooftop PV system on a residential building has the capacity of 5-20 kilowatts while those mounted on commercial buildings have the capacity up to 100 kilowatts. Nowadays, these systems have even began being integrated by engineers onto shingle roofing (the most popular roofing material in the USA.)
The rooftop PV system installation is a multidimensional process. PV systems offer attractive financial savings and environmental consideration. Here you can review some pros and cons of photovoltaic systems.
Pros of PV System:
- Cost Saving: Operating and maintenance costs of PV systems is low as compared to other renewable sources. PV is one of the major energy systems promoted through government subsidy funding. This makes it an attractive investment alternative. It saves 40% on electric bills.
- Environmental benefits: Photovoltaic systems are renewable and universal power sources. Solar energy aids in providing a healthy environment by producing no pollution. It also helps in preserving the earth’s resources. PV systems are silent, make no noise. So PV systems are perfect for urban areas.
- Reduce Carbon Footprint: PV systems do not produce any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants. So a home PV system could save around one ton of carbon dioxide.
- Reliability: PV systems are battery powered storage systems and therefore provide power to an electrical outage.
- Vulnerability To The Market: PV systems are less vulnerable to electrical rate increase. The main component of solar cells is silicon, which has been dropping quite dramatically. The PV system produces electricity at a secure amount over the life of the system.
- Easy to Install and Maintain: Residential PV systems are easy to install on rooftops or on the ground without disturbing residential lifestyle. They have no mechanical parts so easy to move and maintain.
- Increase Property Value: Selling value demand of property where PV systems are installed is high.
Cons of PV systems:
- PV systems require additional equipment to convert direct electricity (DC) to alternating electricity (AC).
- PV system’s efficiency is low when compared to the efficiency level of other renewable resources.
- Some toxic chemicals such as cadmium and arsenic are used in the PV production process. But their impact on the environment is low and can be controlled.
- The PV system is dependent on sun for generating energy, it may be not able to produce power which can lead to a shortage of energy.
- PV system installation needs large area for high efficiency.
