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	Photovoltaic

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The PV module, which is the basic component of PV systems, is obtained from the electrical connection of solar cells connected in series or in parallel. These are assembled between a top layer of glass and a lower layer of plastic (the Tedlar) and enclosed by an aluminum frame. The most common photovoltaic modules are made up of 36 or 72 cells. In the rear of the module there is a junction box in which are housed by-pass diodes and electrical contacts. The PV module has a size of about half a square meter and the normal sizes on the market range from 100 to 300 Watts of power .

Photovoltaic conversion, which was developed at the end of the 50s within space programs, is considered a technology that can significantly help meet the increasing global energy needs without greenhouse gas emissions.
This is why it attracts large investments, both for the construction of systems and for research and development of new materials and technologies that can reduce generation costs for each produced kWh.
Specifically, in the last few years the installed capacity worldwide, which was only 1,000 MW in the year 2000, is growing at an extremely fast rate. Major international energy agencies estimate that in 2020 the PV installed capacity worldwide will be as high as 56,000 MW, with an electricity production capable of meeting almost 2% of world demand.
Italy is not excluded from this development, since in this country distributed generation is growing at a pace that could have never been predicted just a few years ago. For example, in 2008 and 2009, about 70,000 PV systems were installed in Italy.
These plants have a limited capacity (up to 20 kW), allowing each home to become a small power station capable of meeting the needs of the family and, at the same time, to inject power in the public grid.