The same sunny days that dry out plants, make animals thirsty, and heat up buildings and cars are also good days for generating electricity with photovoltaics. This electricity can be used to power water pumps for irrigation and drinking wells, and ventilation fans for air cooling. For this reason, the most simple PV systems use the dc electricity as soon as it is generated to run water pumps or fans. These basic PV systems have several advantages for the special jobs they do. The energy is produced where and when it is needed, so complex wiring, storage, and control systems are unnecessary.
Most installations take only a few hours.
And, although pumps and fans require regular maintenance, the PV modules require only an occasional inspection and cleaning. PV with Battery Storage Storing electrical energy makes PV systems a reliable source of electric power day and night, rain or shine. PV systems with battery storage are being used all over the world to power lights, sensors, recording equipment, switches, appliances, telephones, televisions, and even power tools. The PV panel generates electricity during the day and stores it in the battery for use at night. PV systems with batteries can be designed to power dc or ac equipment.