Photovoltaics generate electricity from solar radiation. They are not to be confused with the solar collectors used to heat water, etc.

What to look for

Consider the following when choosing a photovoltaic panel system:

• A system, not just panels

  As well as pv panels, you will need either a bank of batteries (for a standalone system) or an inverter (for a grid-tied system), cables and controls. These should be sized and installed by a professional.

• Size

  What area of panels is determined by your budget and by your house's south-facing roofs/walls.

• Panel statistics

  Your supplier should have available details of the panel he/she plans to install - specifically, the nominal efficiency, the nominal peak output power, the open circuit voltage, the short-circuit current and the V-I curve.

• Net metering

  SaskPower's policy on net metering (selling power back to the grid at the same unit price as you buy it from the grid) is official as of 2007:Oct:01. Check the policy carefully for details.