Generating electricity from the sun is a technology that all of us know well.  Whether you’re powering a pocket calculator, satellite, or your home, solar electricity, also known as photovoltaics, can get the job done.

The Solar Energy Department of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has been researching photovoltaics (PV) for over 30 years and they know the ins and outs of the technology.  This consumer’s section has been designed to help you understand how to use PV for your home or business.

For those of you who are curious about how much energy a PV system can produce or how much money you can save by using PV, take a look at PV Watts a performance calculator for grid-connected PV systems developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

A list of FSEC-registered PV modules and PV systems can be found in Testing and Certification section.

Solar Electricity Basics Pocket calculator have been using it for decades, now it's ready to power your home or business. Solar electricity systems aren't that complex but they can be a bit confusing. If you're new to this technology, read our primer to help you get up to speed.

Rebates & Incentives Need a little financial help with your PV project? Let these incentives take some of the burden off of paying for your new PV system.

Technical Assistance Although PV systems have been around a while, installing one can be complex. See if our experts can guide you through your next PV project.