Applications
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Photovoltaics is best known as a method for generating solar power by using solar cells packaged in photovoltaic modules, often electrically connected in multiples as solar photovoltaic arrays to convert energy from the sun into electricity. To explain the photovoltaic solar panel more simply, photons from sunlight knock electrons into a higher state of energy, creating electricity.

A Photovoltaic system is a system which uses solar cells to convert light into electricity. A photovoltaic system consists of several components, including cells, mechanical and electrical connections and mountings and means of regulating and/or modifying the electrical output.

Due to the low voltage of an individual solar cell (typically ca. 0.5V), several cells are combined into photovoltaic modules, in turn connected together into an array. The electricity generated can be either stored or used directly (island/standalone plant), fed into a large electricity grid powered by central generation plants (grid-connected/grid-tied plant) or combined with one or more other electricity generators feed into a small grid (hybrid plant) [1]. Depending on the type of application, the rest of the system ("balance of system" or "BOS") consists of different components. The BOS depends on the load profile and the system type. Systems are generally designed in order to ensure the highest energy yield for a given investment.