Abbreviation for alternating current, and is the type of electric current supplied by your local utility. A solar power system generates direct current (DC) electricity that is converted via an inverter to AC for use in a home. The advantage of AC is the ability to change its voltage for domestic use to higher voltages for long-distance transport.
The unit measurement of an electrical current is measured in amperes or amps.
A collection of electrically connected photovoltaic (PV) modules to provide a single electrical output.
Specifies how many degrees the surface of the PV module diverges from the exact south-facing direction.
Represents all components and costs other than the PV modules. It includes design costs, land, site preparation, system installation, support structures, power conditioning, operation and maintenance costs, batteries, and related costs.
The amount of electric power a utility must supply constantly to meet the demand for energy.
Abbreviation for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic. BIPVs are a combination of structural and PV materials used to create roofs, walls, and windows of a building
The smallest basic solar-electric devices that comprise a photovoltaic module and generate electricity when exposed to light.
The ratio of the electrical energy produced by a photovoltaic cell to the solar energy impinging on the cell.
A material that has atoms arranged in a periodic array.
A type of PV module made from a slice of of single-crystal silicon or polycrystalline silicon.
Abbreviation for direct current, which is produced in solar cells and panels and converted to AC via an inverter for use in homes.
The relationship between potentially usable energy and actually used energy. For example, conventional light bulbs transform about 3 – 4% of used energy into light. Solar cells reach efficiencies of about 11 – 17% when converting light to energy.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. EVA is an encapsulant used between the glass cover and solar cells in a PV module. It is very durable, transparent, resistant to corrosion, and flame retardant.
Gigawatt (GW)
One billion watts (1,000,000,000 W)
A network of electric power lines and connections controlled by utility companies that distribute electricity to homes, businesses, and other buildings.
A photovoltaic (PV) system that is connected to the power grid and uses the grid as a backup source of power.
A photovoltaic (PV) system that is mounted on the ground instead of on a roof.
The process of hooking up a solar electrical system to the power-grid.
Inverter
An appliance used to convert DC power into standard household AC power.
One thousand watts (1,000 W)
1,000 watts acting over a period of one hour. A kWh is the unit of energy shown on utility bills.
The estimated cost of owning, operating, and disposing of a photovoltaic (PV) system over its entire functional life.
Anything that is connected to an electrical circuit and draws power from the circuit when the circuit is turned on. Appliances and light fixtures are examples of loads.
One million watts (1,000,000 W).
(also Panel) A photovoltaic (PV) module is a panel consisting of many solar cells connected together in series.
A solar panel consisting of monocrystalline solar cells which are made from a thin slice of a single large silicon crystal that is black in color and has a rigid construction that does not fill the whole panel area. Monocrystalline panels are more expensive and more efficient than multi- or poly-crystalline panels. However, in excessive heat, monocrystalline solar cells do not perform as well as polycrystalline cells.
(also polycrystalline) a solar panel consisting of multi- or poly-crystalline cells which are made from small silicon crystals oriented in many different directions. Generally, the cells are blue in color and are square-shaped. The angle at which the panel is oriented is not as important with multicrystalline cells because they make use of light from a greater number of angles. They are more efficient in low light and perform well in high temperatures.
An electricity meter that spins both forward and backwards. It tracks how much electricity your solar system feeds to the grid and how much electricity your home pulls from the grid.
The process by which an on-site generator (such as a PV system) operating independently of the utility grid can be connected to the grid. The electrical meter will show the net difference between the power generated on-site and the power supplied to the site by the grid.
The direction that solar panel faces as determined by two components: the tilt and azimuth angles.
(See Module)
The largest amount, or maximum load, of electricity being used at any one point during a given period of time, typically over the course of one full day.
A unit used to rate the performance of solar cells, modules, or arrays. It represents the maximum rated output of a photovoltaic (PV) device, stated in watts and determined by standardized testing conditions.
Photovoltaic (PV)
The process of converting light to electricity. Photo means “light” and voltaic means “electric”. Often referred to as “PV” and “solar-electric” for short.
(See Multicrystalline)
A contract between a power producer and a power consumer in which the consumer agrees to purchase a certain amount of power from the producer at an agreed-to rate.
Energy derived from sources that are not depletable. Examples would be solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy.
A method of deploying photovoltaics by installing panels on a home or business rooftop.
A material that has a limited ability to conduct electric current. Some semiconductors used in different types of solar panels include copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, and silicon.
The main material used in the current generation of photovoltaic (PV) cells. Current products are normally made of crystalline of polycrystalline silicon. Silicon wafers are typically 100-300 microns thick (1 micron = 1/1,000 millimeter). Silicon is the same material from which electronic devices are made, such as computer chips.
(See Cell)
The average amount of solar radiation that reaches the earth’s upper atmosphere, equal to 1,353 watts per square meter.
The time of day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, and divides the daylight hours for that day exactly in half. This time may be quite different from “clock”.
The angle a solar panel makes with the horizon. The ideal tilt for a location is that at which the panels absorb the maximum amount of sunlight possible.
The rating of the amount of electrical pressure that causes electricity to flow in a power line.
A thin sheet of semiconductor material made by mechanically sawing it from a single-crystal or multi-crystal ingot or casting. Wafers are used to produce solar cells.
Measurement of total electric power. Watts = Volts x Amps.
