PV Gap

Kimberly Said:

What do you think of photovoltaic and solar energy field as a field to study?

We Answered:

I think that energy technology will be one of the really good engineering fields for the next few decades.

Concerning the narrowness of it, all areas where you get a master's degree narrow focus but increase depth of knowledge. It gets even narrower if one gets a PhD, but the depth is much greater.

Pamela Said:

Could we convert downtrodden malls and mini malls to photovoltaic solar energy generators?

We Answered:

Sure you can: First. Start your corporation!
Second: Decide to either go public or operate as a
Proprietery.
Third: If public,establish the IPO. Private? Good for you,a
wise and foreward investment of your fortunes!
Now you have become part of an Elite School of Humanity:
You are now , "THEY"
Congratulations,Sittngmoose,Shaman.

Warren Said:

Where can I download ... Photovoltaic or solar energy training ?

We Answered:

The North America Board of Certified Energy Practitioners offers training to install PV, solar thermal hot water and small wind turbine systems.
In their website, you can download study guides on each of the mentioned topics.
http://www.nabcep.org/

Cassandra Said:

How do photovoltaic cells convert solar energy into electricity?

We Answered:

there are several ways of doing this, but a common way is through light energy absorbance by the electrons leading to a charge disparity that drives electron movement. The electrons get excited to the higher energy of the diffuse cloud surrounding the alloy or ceramic or whatever particular material is present and become free to move beyond the confines of their original atom. This can create a negative charge that will be offset by a positive "hole" that also can migrate.

A lot of times the substance consists of layers that impart a direction to the flow (one side excites and the other receives the excited electrons).

Mary Said:

How much much energy does solar (Photovoltaic) energy supply for 12 months?

We Answered:

it totally depends on the size of the solar array.

One tiny panel can recharge a few batteries, while a solar array over an entire house may generate over 20,000 kwh of electricity annually. It just depends on many factors, from location, shading, the panel efficiency, tilt, rainfall, orientation, etc...

tidal and geothermal, again it just depends on size and many other factors.