Abstract: . . .  directly charge vehicle batteries, or to provide a “trickle charge” for maintaining a high battery state of charge on little-used vehicles, such as fire-fighting and snow removal equipment and agricultural machines such as tractors or harvesters. Direct charging is useful for boats and recreational vehicles. Solar stations may be dedicated to charging electric vehicles also (Figure 5). Figure 5: Electric vehicle with PV charging station at Topsail High School in Hampstead, NC. 3 Conclusion Recent innovations have enhanced even further the attractiveness of using photovoltaic systems to satisfy energy needs. For example, instead of mounting PV modules on separate support structures, they may be mounted on buildings or integrated into the building structure. Buildingintegrated PV systems do not require additional space and offset construction costs by replacing conventional building materials. Another innovation is to use the heat collected by PV modules for space heating or hot water heating. The PV modules then serve a dual function as photovoltaic modules and heat collectors in an active solar system. In this way, more of the sun’s energy is converted to a usable form. As the technology improves and is applied in even more innovative ways, photovoltaics promise to cleanly provide a significant portion of the world’s electricity. The cost of PV systems has steadily fallen and continues to do so. Their use will dramatically increase as they become more cost competitive with conventional forms of electrical generation. PV systems are already the best choice in hundreds of important applications. This publication is available for download and printing from the list of information factsheets on the NC Solar Center’s web-site at www.ncsc.ncsu.edu. To reduce paper waste, this publication was not mass reproduced in hardcopy. Printed copies can be mailed to those who do not have access to the Internet. North Carolina Solar Center Box 7401, NCSU, Raleigh, N.C. 27695-7401 Phone: (919) 515-3480, Toll free in N.C.: 1-800-33-NC SUN Fax: (919) 515-5778 E-mail: ncsun@ncsu.edu Web: www.ncsc.ncsu.edu State Energy Office, NC Department of Administration 1340 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1340 Phone: (919) 733-2230, Fax: (919) 733-2953 Toll free in N.C.: 1-800-662-7131 E-mail: Doa.Energy@ncmail.net Web: www.energync.net The NC Solar Center is sponsored by the State Energy Office, NC Department of Administration, and the US Department of Energy, with state Energy Program funds, in cooperation . . .
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