102 Group installs photovoltaic panels

Are solar photovoltaic installations becoming more popular in Pennsylvania?

With renewed interest in the development of clean, renewable energy in Pennsylvania, the development of solar photovoltaic installations is increasing in the state.

How many TW of solar photovoltaic potential are there?

There is approximately 115 TW of solar photovoltaic potential in the U.S., which includes 1 TW on buildings, 27 TW on agricultural land, 2 TW on brownfields, and 2 TW for floating solar. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) conducts research to reduce the cost and impact of siting solar.

Can photovoltaic panels be installed on a building roof?

The installation of photovoltaic panels on a building roof or integral with a building roof also raises other code issues (e.g., roof loading, wind loading, fire ratings, weather tightness, mounting systems, roof penetrations, etc.), which may also be relevant for systems mounted on or integral to a wall.

What BMPs should a solar panel farm use?

A proposed solar panel farm must utilize E&S BMPs that are applicable to the size and scope of the project, which can be found in DEP’s Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual (E&S Manual) or on DEP’s website (Alternative E&S and PCSM BMPs).

Do working PV panels have a strong encapsulant?

No, working PV panels have a strong encapsulant that prevents leaching. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) cells are sealed between two sheets of glass to protect the semiconductor materials from the outside environment; and silicon modules are typically sealed with a front sheet of glass with a polymer encapsulant and backsheet.

Are solar panel farms difficult on heavily wooded sites?

Solar panel farms can be challenging on heavily wooded sites as the proposed condition can create a significant change in land cover, necessitating extensive disturbance, and often requiring more detailed analysis or PCSM planning.