Photovoltaic means the effect of the direct conversion of light into electricity. Portugal, due to its climatic conditions, has excellent conditions for photovoltaic conversion with production rates per kWp installed between 1000 and 1500 kWh per year. Photovoltaics can be produced in various ways, with large variations in efficiency and cost. It can be divided into two basic groups: discrete cell technology and integrated thin-film technology.
Benefits • PV is one of the most promising renewable energy sources. • Almost total absence of pollution. • Absence of moving parts likely to break, does not produce odors or noise, it has low or no maintenance, and long lifetime for the modules. • Increased independence from imported fossil fuels, such as oil and coal. • Environmental Quality. The system is quiet and clean, and therefore does not disturb the environment.