一个光伏组件通常比一块胶合板要小。最常见的一种是由硅制成的单个PV电池的集合，每个电池能产生0.5伏的电压。电池由铝框架内的低铁钢化玻璃保护。当阳光照射到电池上时，硅就会释放电子，产生直流电。平衡系统。逆变器将直流电变成交流电(AC)，从而驱动电器、电灯和其他电气设备。美国的大多数安装都是并网的，这意味着房屋可以从公用事业电网或其光伏阵列获取电力。当光伏电池不能产生足够的能量时，电网会弥补差额。当阵列产生的电量超过房子消耗的电量时，电力就会流入电网。离网系统需要蓄电池组来储存电力，成本更高，也更复杂。 Measuring power output. PV modules are rated by the amount of electricity they’re capable of producing, but actual performance may be less. The rated capacity is based on ideal circumstances, with the sun providing 1000 watts per square meter. Local weather conditions and site latitude can diminish or (more rarely) enhance PV module performance. Solar potential in the U.S. varies widely, from 7 kWh per square meter per day in parts of the Southwest to about 4 kWh per square meter in parts of the upper Midwest, New England and the Pacific Northwest. Where sunlight potential is lower, PV modules produce less electricity. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory produces a solar map with details for photovoltaic potential around the U.S. Cold days are best. The best PV weather is a very cold day when the atmosphere is crystal clear and the ground is covered with clean snow. A blue…