A silicon Solar cell produces DC electricity when exposed to sun light due to "Photovoltaic Effect". A number of such solar cells are interconnected in series and encapsulated to make an SPV MODULE. These modules are when connected in series or parallel and mounted on a support metallic structure to form an SPV PANELS and when two or more SPV Panels are connected in series or parallel to make suitable output as required to a designed power plant is called SPV ARRAY.

The SPV systems are extremely simple to operate and maintain. They have a long operating life with the backing of highly reliable and trouble free performance. These systems are completely noiseless and are unlikely to produce any environmental pollution or ecological imbalance. These energy sources are modular in nature and can be upgraded as and when required. All these advantages make Solar Photovoltaic highly suitable for various applications in developing countries as India.

In remote locations, where grid electricity is not available and it is very much uneconomical and unreliable to think about the other centrally generated electricity and its distribution except SPV Systems. SPV Electricity may turn out to be an ideal solution in these areas. This is due to the fact that the fuel, for the electricity production, i.e. the sunlight, is available at the place of use.