What is Photovoltaic Solar Energy?
Photovoltaic (PV) energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity through a photovoltaic cell, commonly called a solar cell. A photovoltaic cell is a nonmechanical device usually made from silicon alloys.

Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy. These photons contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a photovoltaic cell, they may be reflected, pass right through, or be absorbed. Only the absorbed photons provide energy to generate electricity.

The performance of a photovoltaic array is dependent upon sunlight. Climate conditions (e.g., clouds, fog) have a significant effect on the amount of solar energy received by a PV array and, in turn, its performance.

Beginning in the late 1950s, PVs were used to power U.S. space satellites and that success generated commercial applications for PV technology. The simplest photovoltaic systems power many of the small calculators and wrist watches used everyday. More complicated systems provide electricity to pump water, power communications equipment, and even provide electricity to our homes.

For an animation illustrating photovoltaic technology, please follow this link to the Solar Energy Technologies Program at the US Department of Energy: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/animations.html

What are the social & environmental benefits of solar?
For generations there has been an ongoing belief that the earth is resilient and can easily self-repair. But today there is undeniable scientific evidence telling us that earth is more fragile than we believed and that some of our actions can result in long-term damage. To recover, changes need to be made... individuals, businesses and policy-makers need to weigh out the costs of all decisions regarding energy sourcing, waste disposal and societal behaviors, not just financially but socially and environmentally as well.

The environmental impact of a photovoltaic system is minimal to non-existent. Solar energy does not deplete or jeopardize any natural resources, it causes no threat to humans or other living organisms, it does not create toxic by-products, and capturing its power requires no invasion to earth's ecological system. Today, supplementing our current energy with solar is a powerful step in the right direction. From there, growing that initiative to the point that solar and other renewable energy sources are supplemented with traditional energy methods is the optimum goal.