What Is Photovoltaic Energy?

Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of the sun's light directly into electricity through a photovoltaic (PV) cell, often referred to as a solar cell. The cell itself is the basis of a PV system. One cell can't provide adequate power for most applications, but many cells can be placed together to form modules; modules are connected to form arrays that produce power. Because arrays are dependent on sunlight, climate conditions have a great effect on the amount of energy received by an array and on its performance.
(Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Washington, D.C.)

Photovoltaic Projects
Examples of Chevron Energy Solutions activities in renewable energy include these projects:

• Engineered and installed a 191 kW solar electric system, a 360 kW cogeneration system, and a heat recovery system at the Pierce College campus of the Los Angeles County (California) Community College District



• Installed high-efficiency lighting and control systems in conjunction with a solar PV system to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California



• Monitored performance of a 500 kW solar array at Chevron's oil production facilities near Bakersfield, California—the first such facility in California to power oil field operations



• Managed and installed a new roof and a 94-kilowatt solar PV system for the city of Richmond's (California) library; a microturbine cogeneration unit serving the Hall of Justice; a new high-efficiency boiler to heat the Hall of Justice and the Civic Center, including the auditorium; and an Internet-based energy information system that will track the energy performance of the city's solar, cogeneration and heating units



• Installed a 593 kW solar PV system configured as a parking canopy/shade structure at the U.S. Postal Service's West Sacramento (California) site

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