Updated Encyclopedia Page on Photovoltaic Systems

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Since the price of solar electric panels is dropping sharply, it was time to update the GBA Encyclopedia

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[](http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-blog/updated-encyclopedia-page-photovoltaic-systems)

Only a few years ago, the installed cost of a grid-connected photovoltaic(PV) Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow. (PVPhotovoltaics. Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic (PV) cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow.) system was about $7 per watt. Now that inexpensive PV modules are widely available, the price has been cut in half (to about $3.50 per watt) in many areas of the U.S.

As architect Jesse Thompson pointed out in his GBAGreenBuildingAdvisor.com guest blog, [PV Systems Have Gotten Dirt Cheap](http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/guest-blogs/pv-systems-have-gotten-dirt-cheap), falling PV prices are a game-changer.

URL: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-blog/updated-encyclopedia-page-photovoltaic-systems