Photovoltaic FAQ

A photovoltaic system is able to convert solar energy directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. The latter is given by the photovoltaic cells that allow light radiation to free electrons from semiconductor materials, such as silicon, charging them electrically.

A monocrystalline module is composed of cells obtained from a perfect silicon crystal in which the atoms are all arranged in the same direction, consequently they have a uniform color.

A polycrystalline module is composed of cells obtained by melting various stones of silicon to form a parallelepiped-shaped block, in which the silicon atoms are arranged in various ways which are subsequently cut into thin sheets. In the polycrystalline module the random arrangement of the silicon atoms determines an iridescent color.

A photovoltaic system produces electric energy that exploits the sunlight. It is composed of: PV modules; supporting structure to install the modules on the ground, on a building, or any structures; inverter; electrical panels, jumper cables and technical rooms for housing the equipments.

The inverter is a device that transforms the direct electric current, produced by the photovoltaic modules, into alternating electric current.

A photovoltaic system is a winning choice because:

Photovoltaic doesn’t use fossil fuel, promoting economic and environmental savings;

Photovoltaic doesn’t cause pollutant emissions of any kind during the operation of the system;

A photovoltaic system is safe and reliable over time, especially if it is of high quality;

A photovoltaic system is an economically favorable investment

The photovoltaic modules can be placed on the roof, on the side of a building or on the ground.
The technical feasibility is verified by the designer/installer during the inspection.

The element to be evaluated for installation are:
• availability of the space necessary for installation, sufficient space that varies depending on how the modules are positioned, without obstacles that may obscure the surface.
• correct exposure of the modules: in Italy the ideally is an exposure is in the South (at the South-East or South-West at the very least), with an inclination of the photovoltaic modules of 30-35°.

No. There is no direct relations between the power of the system and the electricity supply contract. The type of photovoltaic system must be chosen according to the annual energy consumption and to the available space for the placement of the photovoltaic modules.

Yes. The photovoltaic systems are not limited to taking advantage of the direct sunlight but they also absorb the so-called “diffuse irradiation” and, in case of cloudy sky, however, they produce a limited amount of electric energy.

Yes. The crystalline silicon photovoltaic systems have excellent performance even at low temperatures, in fact they are tested for both cold and hot climates.

A photovoltaic system is a winning choice because:

The photovoltaic doesn’t use fossil fuel, promoting economic and environmental savings;

The photovoltaic doesn’t cause pollutant emissions of any kind during the operation of the system;
A photovoltaic system is safe and reliable over time, particularly if it is of high quality;
A photovoltaic system is an economically favorable investment

The main advantages of the photovoltaic systems are:
• take advantage of tax deductions for PV systems;
• saving for the electric energy produced;
• duration equal to 25 years;
• absence of any kind of polluting emission.

From an economic point of view, photovoltaic systems may be a very interesting investment.

In fact, photovoltaic systems have a further form of concession by the state: tax deductions.

Those people who install a photovoltaic system can take advantage of the personal income tax deductions to recover 50% of the incurred costs for the construction of the system. The 50% recovery remains in force until the 31st of December 2014.
Those 50% deductions have not to be confused with the 65% (formerly 55%) tax deductions for energy savings. The 65% are valid for solar thermal systems for the production of hot water and for energy efficiency interventions in buildings (insulations, doors and windows, window fixtures, furnaces, heat pumps, solar thermal modules for the production of domestic hot water, etc.)