What is PV solar power? You have heard the term, but you are unsure as to its meaning. You are vaguely aware that solar power has something to do with making energy from sunlight. But what is PV solar power? Is it different from other kinds of solar power?
PV solar power is different from other types. Of the two main categories of solar power, active and passive, PV solar power is active. Let’s look at it.
Solar Panel
Active solar power relies on solar panels. You may picture them as flat, rectangular boxes on rooftops.
There are two main types of solar panel. From a distance, both look like rectangular boxes. Both convert sunlight into energy, but in two different ways. The terms for the two solar panel types are solar thermal collector and photovoltaic module.
1. Solar thermal collector: This solar panel takes in solar energy from the sun and uses it to heat air or water.
2. Photovoltaic module: This second type of solar panel collects solar energy and converts it to usable electricity.
Meet the PV
To answer the question, what is PV solar power, we must know what the PV is. The short answer is that PV refers to a...