Talking about Photovoltaic Systems
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
This week I would like to talk about Photovoltaic Systems. To be more specific I would like to focus on the major component of a photovoltaic system the Solar Module or as they are commonly referred to Solar Panels. Photovoltaics have been around for years, dating back to its discovery in the late 1800’s. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that companies really started investing in research and development of Solar Electricity in a serious way. In the last 50 years researchers have had major breakthroughs in Solar Technology and watched it evolve into a major source of Clean Energy for the world. Until recently, most of us in Chatham Kent or even Ontario for that matter have given it much thought. Today it is hard to drive anywhere and not see a solar system harvesting the sun. So how do they work?
Solar electricity occurs when light from the sun is converted into electricity. Solar panels are made from thin layers of silicon, a semiconductor material that absorbs the sun’s rays and turns them into electricity. When photons from the sun hit the photovoltaic cells a Solar Panel, electrons in the solar cell are knocked loose from their atom, allowing the electrons to flow freely. Solar cells force these electrons to flow in a certain direction along a wire, creating a current, which is then drawn off the cell to create electricity that can be harnessed to power for example a home, business, car, atv, etc.
Today there are many options for our customers and the electricity that they are producing. Some customers have Fit or micro-Fit Contracts that allow them to sell their electricity back to the OPA ( Ontario Power Authority ) at a guaranteed price for a term of 20 years. Other customers are ( Net Metering ) which allows you to send your electricity created from your solar system back through the grid to your Local Distribution System ( in our case Chatham Kent Energy and Hydro One ) to help offset your Hydro Bill. And finally some of our customers are looking to move entirely ( Off-Grid ). This allows you to be self sufficient, you would create and store your own power. Typically a battery back-up or storage type system is used to store the energy until you want to use it.
So until next week, thanks for your interest in our column. If you have any questions or are curious about our products, please call us at 519-676-2288 or visit our showroom at 8905 Talbot Trail in Blenheim. Our information can be found on or our website at www.envirolinkmdm.com
Hi my name is Roderick Butler. I am the president of Envirolink MDM Inc. I have lived in Chatham –Kent all my life. I was raised and educated here, up to and including my graduation from Ridgetown College / University of Guelph where I received my 3-year diploma in Agri-Business Management. I have had the opportunity to work for many great companies and have travelled the world extensively in my professional and personal life. My extending family lives here and currently I reside in Chatham Kent with my family, and have always been proud to call it “home”. Our business is located in Blenheim, Ontario at 8905 Talbot Trail W. (Erieau Rd & #3). We have been providing customers in Chatham Kent and across Canada options in Electric Vehicles and have sold Unique and Environmentally friendly products to customers for almost 3 years now. The business idea evolved as a result from a trip to the Canadian Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ontario in September 2008. It was there where I saw a prototype for an Electric UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle). Upon further research, I realized there wasn’t anyone in our country (let alone our area) selling this type of vehicle. Having worked closely with corporations like John Deere for many years in all facets (Agricultural, Consumer Products, Construction & Transportation), I knew that the projections for UTV sales in the next few years were going to be increasing exponentially. I was convinced that in an ever changing society towards (Eco & Green) products there must be a portion of that market for us. My business partner Jim Knowles and I researched markets and products extensively and discovered there were large markets out there (mainly in the U.S. and Europe). We concluded there were opportunities and markets for Envirolink to distribute these types of products at home here in Canada. Well, almost 3 years later and we are still here and business is growing. Our product line has grown to include many new products and many new technologies. We most recently branched out into the Renewable Energy sector, to include Solar and Wind products. Renewable Energy was an easy decision for Envirolink as it only compliments the products we sell and the hard work we have invested in this industry over the last 3 years. If you are considering investing in renewable energy or green products, I would gladly invite and encourage you to visit us. Our showroom hours are Monday – Saturday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (Closed Sunday) or visit us online anytime at www.envirolinkmdm.com to see 1st hand how Envirolink is helping to make a difference in our own backyard and globally!
