Photovoltaic Systems on Long Island

With photovoltaic systems, you are able to produce your own electricity from the sunlight hitting your rooftop today. By implementing a photovoltaic system (PV system) Long Island homeowners can place solar panels on their roof that capture sunlight, produce electricity and power their homes.

How do Photovoltaic Cells Work?

Solar panels, also known as solar photovoltaic panels, convert sunlight into electricity. The panels (generally rectangular in shape) contain dozens or hundreds of photovoltaic cells. Each cell is actually a semi-conductor that absorbs sunlight. As the photons from the sun strike the semi-conductor, it creates an electric field. That photon strikes sends an electron from one layer of the cell to another. This motion of electrons creates an electric current, harnessed as useful electricity.

Photovoltaic Power for Long Island

While solar panels have been available on Long Island for decades, they are now more energy efficient than ever. The photovoltaic cells in the solar panels produce more power per square foot than ever before. At the same time, the cost of solar pv has fallen significantly. Coupled with federal and state tax credits and utility rebates from LIPA, it has never been more affordable to look at solar panels on Long Island.

How Many Solar Panels do Long Island Homes Need?

Each solar pv panel is made of a number of solar cells, depending upon the size of the panel. Homeowners will install a range of panels, based on the size and shape of their roof, the exposure to sunlight and their project budget. The greater number of solar pv panels you install, the more electricity your rooftop will produce.

Do Photovoltaic Systems Take Me Off the Power Grid?

You will remain connected to the power grid to have power at night, when snow is on your roof, etc. While some people may choose to install battery arrays to capture sunlight for nighttime use, this is very expensive. The way they reduce their expense at night is to sell their excess daytime electricity back to the power company, which delivers that power to other customers. At night you draw against the power grid, but net-net, are still using clean power.

How Do I Get More Information about Photovoltaic Systems?

Please contact Emmy Energy at 631-361-6500 or fill out our short contact form to get no-risk, no-obligation information about Long Island solar panels.