Even though people generally think of solar power panels as some sort of oversized reflective box that catches the sun’s rays, that perception is changing quickly as the technology for solar cells is progressing.

As with anything related to the sun there is going to be heat involved, this heat can also be collected and used to heat both your water and incoming air for your ventilation systems using solar power panels. Commonly known as a photovoltaic panel, or PV panel, solar power panels are lined with a semi-conductive material, typically silicon based that produces electricity when sunlight passes through it. This lining is called the solar cell. The electricity then travels through the conductive material into the electrical system that powers your home or business.

Traditionally solar power panels or PV panels were limited to large square or rectangular shaped enclosures. In recent years the process of manufacturing solar cells has developed significantly and has opened the doors to massive changes in the way you can integrate solar power panels into your home of business. Solar cells can now be found in a huge variety of building materials. This technology is commonly referred to as Building Integrated Photovoltaics or BIPV. Solar cells can now be incorporated into everything from roofing material to the edges of the panes of glass in your windows.