Basic Solar Terms
albedo - ratio of light reflected from a surface.
alternating current (AC) - an electric current that reverses direction at regular intervals.
altitude – height of the sun above the horizon.
ampere (amp) - unit of electric current (refers to flow of current); one ampere corresponds to a certain number of electrons passing a fixed point each second.
array - photovoltaic modules connected together to provide a single electrical output.
azimuth - horizontal angle measured clockwise in degrees from a reference direction, usually the north or south point of the horizon, to the point on the horizon intersected by the object's line of altitude.
cell - basic unit of a photovoltaic panel.
diffuse insolation – solar radiance that is scattered or reflected by atmospheric components, such as clouds, dust, etc.
direct current (DC) – an electric current in which electrons flow in one direction only.
direct insolation – solar radiance that directly hits the earth’s surface.
electrical efficiency - useful power output divided by the total electrical power consumed.
electric circuit - complete path of an electric current, including the generating apparatus, intervening resistors, or capacitors.
electric current - rate of flow of electric charge, measured in amperes.
electrical grid - interconnected network for distributing electricity.
energy - any source of usable power, as fossil fuel, electricity, or solar radiation.
gigawatt (GW) – 1,000,000,000 watts.
insolation – measure of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area in a given time.
inverter - device that converts DC electricity into AC electricity.
junction box - protected enclosure for electrical wiring.
kilowatt-hour (kWh) – measure of kilowatt production of power in kilowatts and time in hours.
load (noun) – 1. the power consumed on an electrical circuit 2. a power-absorbing device, such as a blender, light bulb, etc.
load (verb) - to add a power-absorbing device to an electrical circuit .
megawatt (MW) – 1,000,000 watts.
module - interconnected assembly of solar cells; also called a panel.
monocrystalline – single silicon crystal; monocrystalline panels are made from one large, single silicon crystal making it rated the most efficient solar technology available.
ohm - unit of electrical resistance.
photovoltaic (PV) – technology and research that relates to the application of solar cells for energy by converting radiant energy directly to electricity.
photovoltaic efficiency - the ratio of power produced by a solar cell at any instant to the power of radiant energy striking the cell; certain factors such as temperature can cause the efficiency rate to vary during the day.
photovoltaic system - a system which uses solar cells to convert light into electricity; consists of multiple components, including solar cells, mechanical and electrical connections and mountings and means of regulating and/or modifying the electrical output.
polycrystalline cell – solar cells produced from processed liquid silicon; when solidified, multiple silicon crystals are formed. Less efficient than monocrystalline cells.
radiance – light from the sun; also called solar radiance.
remote system - photovoltaic system not connected to the utility grid.
silicon - a chemical element from which semiconductors are made.
solar – 1. of or pertaining to the sun 2. utilizing, operated by, or depending on solar energy 3. manufacturing or providing solar power.
solar constant - the average density of solar radiation measured outside Earth's atmosphere and at Earth's mean distance from the sun, equal to 0.140 watt per square centimeter.
solar energy - energy derived from the sun in the form of solar radiation.
solar power - energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy.
solar spectrum - distribution of energy emitted by the sun arranged in order of wavelengths.
solar thermal - method of harnessing solar energy for thermal energy (heat).
thin film - a thin layer of semiconductor material, such as amorphous silicon, which is deposited directly onto a plate of glass. Least efficient of all solar cells.
tracking array - a solar array that follows the path of the sun to maximize the solar radiation incident on the photovoltaic surface.
transformer - a device used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another; with an alternating current, a transformer will either raise or lower the voltage as it makes the transfer.
volt (V) - standard unit of voltage; one volt produces one ampere of current when acting a resistance of one ohm.
voltage - potential energy that makes the electrical current flow in a circuit by pushing the electrons around (pressure).
watt (W) - the unit of electric power, or amount of work (J), done in a unit of time. One ampere of current flowing at a potential of one volt produces one watt of power.
