
The Basics
A solar PV system uses an array of panels to convert
sunlight to a home’s electrical load, exporting any excess energy produced from the system to the utility’s grid infrastructure.
As states and jurisdictions take actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many localities are considering ways to limit direct (from heating and cooling) and indirect (consumption of electricity by the building occupant) emissions from the building sector. One strategy for builders to consider is the integration or addition of solar photovoltaics (PV).
This toolkit is in process, and additional resources will be added on regularly in the coming months.
Did you know that enough energy from the sun hits the Earth every hour to power it for an entire year? The key is capturing that energy. This video from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) explains some basic concepts about how solar PV works.
If you are interested in a deeper dive into solar and current issues facing the industry, learn more below.