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Solar Energy
Humans have used energy from the sun since earliest times, for heating and for drying food for example. Since last century solar energy has also been harnessed to generate electricity. There are two main ways to generate electricity from the sun. The first is by heating a liquid or gas and using the heated fluid to run a generator. The second way is utilising the "photovoltaic effect".
Photovoltaic cells
Electricity can be produced directly from solar cells. These are specially made discs of silicon wafer which are mounted in panels. Photovoltaic (PV) arrays have increasing applications in the city, and are also used in remote locations for telecommunications, water pumping and as part of a remote household or community power supply.
Verve Energy has two photovoltaic systems, one at Kalbarri and the other at Rockingham.
Kalbarri Photovoltaic System
A photovoltaic power system has been operating in Kalbarri since 1995. Kalbarri receives its electricity from the main electricity grid and this is supplemented during the day by the PV system.
Rockingham Photovoltaic System
This system installed at Rockingham is rated at 20kW. The system was connected to the grid in July 2000.
Did you know?
Verve Energy has two photovoltaic systems, one at Kalbarri and the other at Rockingham.