Photovoltaic technology is one of the most useful methods of producing electricity.
Photovoltaic technology allows us to instantly and directly transform solar energy into electrical energy without the use of fuels. It uses the so-called "photoelectric effect", which is the capacity that some properly treated semiconductors have to generate electricity if they are exposed to light radiation. The basic element of the cell is photovoltaic technology, which can be achieved with different methods. The cell is created with semiconductor material with a reduced thickness to which electrical contacts are connected. With exposure to light the cell produces electricity in direct current, which will then be subsequently transformed into alternating current (inverter) to be used in normal domestic power supply. When a beam of light hits the photovoltaic cell, it becomes a source of direct current. The maximum power extractable from the cell is measured in watt peaks (Wp).

The electricity produced by photovoltaics has a zero cost for fuel. 250 grams of combustible oil is saved for each kWh produced and the emission of approximately 700 grams of CO2, and other greenhouse gases, is avoided. This translates into a safe economic and environmental advantage. The useful life of a system is estimated at 30 years. This means that a small system of 1.5 kWp is able to cover two thirds of the annual electrical energy need of an average Italian family (2,500 kWh). During its effective life, a system of its size will produce almost 60,000 kWh, with a savings of approximately 14 tonnes of fossil fuels and thus avoiding the emissions of around 40 tonnes of CO2.