We all know what photovoltaics are : a simple yet effective system to tranform sun irradiation to electrical power, without polluting the environment. The more sunshine, the more electric power gets produced. Electrical power can be used on-site or fed to the public grid in exchange for a feed-in tarriff reward. Possible applications : Dedicated utility scale power plants for generating electricity in open land spaces Supplementary small scale electricity generation facilities in factory or house roofs for feeding to the grid Stand-alone power generation for personal use   Let us remember what a photovoltaics system consists of :

	Parts of a typical installation

	PV panels They transform sun irradiation to DC current Inverter Device that transforms DC current to AC, in order to be used by common appliances or fed to the grid kWh meter Counts the electricity fed to the grid in order to calculate payment Batteries (for stand-alone only) They store energy for the nightime and for cloudy days
	Stand alone in isolated areas		Grid connected selling to the grid operator

	Used instead of generators	Used to secure a small or large income

	Advantages & Benefits : Profitable and safe investment with high rate of return Reliable and maintenance free equipment Environmentaly friendly / Renewable inexaustible energy source Reduces dependancy on fossil fuels Electricity in remote areas Subsidy on erection cost up to 40% (Law 3299/2004)

	Greece is blessed by the sun

	Average annual solar irradiation (kWh/sq.m)