Solar PV systems work by converting sunlight into electricity through solar panels made of photovoltaic cells. The sunlight hits the solar cells and creates an electrical current. Solar PV systems can be either stand-alone systems or connected to the main electricity grid. They have advantages like producing clean energy with little maintenance, but disadvantages such as high initial installation costs. Current UK building regulations specify that solar panels should generally face between southeast and southwest for maximum efficiency.

1. Environmental
Protection Measures
Solar Systems
Plumbing Level 2

2. Aims:
Identify the layout and basic operating
principles of solar PV systems.
Objectives:
Describe how solar PV systems work, their
advantages/disadvantages and be able to
explain the current regulations.

3. Solar Photovoltaic’s
What is
Solar PV?

4. Photons
from the
sun enter
solar cells
in the panel
to create an
electrical
current.

5. How long does it
take sunlight to
reach the earth from
the sun?

8. Building
Regulations

9. Advantages Disadvantages

10. Summary
•Should face south, or between south east and
south west
•Stand alone or grid connected
•DC converted to AC
•Around 16 panels completes a system
•Little maintenance required.