| AC Disconnect |
Allows for a grid connected system to be disconnected from the utility. Required by the utility as a safety precaution; in the case of a utility power outage the utility wants to be absolutely sure that a renewable energy system will not send power onto the grid where lineworkers may be working. |
| active solar |
Technologies that convert solar energy into usable electricity, light and heat. Photovoltaics and solar hot water systems are example of active solar technologies. |
| alternating current (AC) |
Electric current in which the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. This is the kind of electric current that powers things in your home. |
| ampere (A) or amp |
The unit for electric current. |
| azimuth |
The direction a solar electric system faces (north, south, east, west). Sometimes referred to as orientation. |
| balance of system (BOS) |
All of the parts of a solar electric system excluding the solar modules and the inverter. Balance of system usually includes items like racking, wires, conduit, and safety disconnects. |
| clean coal |
A myth dispelled by the coal industry that it is possible to mine coal and also burn it without destroying the environment. |
| closed loop system |
A closed loop solar hot water system is used more commonly in colder climates and utilizes a heat exchanger. Water does not go through the panels of a closed loop solar hot water system. |
| commercial power purchase agreement |
See 'power purchase agreement'. Commercial PPA's can enable businesses, schools, governments and utilities to benefit from clean, renewable energy. |
| current |
The flow of electric charge between two points having a difference in potential (voltage) |
| DC Disconnect |
Allows the DC power producer (PV system) to be disconnected from the inverter and home. The DC Disconnect allows for safe maintenance of the system. |
| direct current (DC) |
Electric current in which the electric flow moves in one direction only. This is a type of low voltage electrical current and is what is produced by solar cells. DC current must be converted into AC current before you can use it in your home. |
| disconnect |
A switch used to connect or disconnect components of a PV system for safety or service |
| efficiency |
The radio of output power to input power expressed as a percentage. Solar modules are given an efficiency rating. |
| electric current |
A flow of electrons; electricity |
| electrical grid |
A system of power distribution lines covering a large area, owned and operated by a public utility that distributes electricity to homes, businesses and other buildings. |
| energy |
The amount of work that can be performed by a force |
| flat plate collector |
A solar thermal collection device in which heat collection takes place through a thin absorber sheet backed by an array of tubing that is placed within an insulated casing. |
| gigawat (gW) |
One billion watts. One million kilowatts. One thousand megawatts. |
| grid |
See 'electrical grid' |
| grid parity |
The point at which solar electricity is equal to or cheaper than grid power (power from the utility company). |
| grid-tied |
a solar system that is connected to the power grid and users the grid as it's energy storage. A grid-tied solar system does not use batteries. |
| groSolar Connectors |
groSolar's referral program. If you refer someone to groSolar who goes solar with us, you will receive a referral payment. Visit groSolarConnectors.com |
| ground mount |
A solar electrical system that is mounted on a structure on the ground rather than on a roof. |
| heat exchanger |
A device used to transfer heat from one medium to another. In the case of solar hot water heat is transferred from the glycol that runs through the flat plate collector to your domestic hot water. |
| insolation |
The measure of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area in a given time. Insolation comes from Incident SOLar radiaTION. |
| interconnection |
The process of hooking up a solar electrical system to the power grid. |
| inverter |
A device that converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) so you can use the solar electricity in your home. Inverters are part of solar electric systems. |
| junction box |
An electrical box designed to be a safe enclosure in which to make proper electrical connections. On PV modules this is where PV strings are connected. |
| kilowatt (kW) |
One thousand watts. |
| kilowatt hour (kWh) |
A unit of energy consisting of 1,000 watts acting over a period of one hour. For example, ten 100-watt light bulbs running for one hour use one kilowatt hour of energy. |
| load |
Anything in an electrical circuit that draws power when the circuit is turned on. |
| megawatt (MW) |
One million watts. One thousand kilowatts. |
| micro-inverter |
A photovoltaic micro-inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) from a single solar module to alternating current (AC). A micro-inverter is different from an inverter in that is is converting current from one panel whereas an inverter converts current from an entire solar array. |
| module |
See 'photovoltaic module' |
| monocrystalline |
A solar panel that is made from a large, single silicon crystal and has a patchwork pattern. Monocrystalline modules are more efficient than polycrystalline modules. |
| multicrystalline |
A solar panel that is made from small silicon crystals oriented in lots of different directions. The asymmetrical arrangement of atoms reduces the device efficiency. Also referred to as polycrystalline. |
| NEC |
National Electrical Code. All PV systems must be designed and installed to meet the NEC. |
| net meter |
Net Metering allows you to send any power that you are not currently using back into the grid, physically turning your meter backwards so you get credit for every kilowatt hour generated by your system. Exact provisions vary with each state, but the effect is to allow you to generate excess power during the day, and use it at night. |
| open loop system |
An open loop system pumps your water directly through the solar hot water collector. Open loop systems are used where there is not a threat of freezing temperatures. |
| panel |
See 'photovoltaic module' |
| passive solar |
Using sunlight for useful energy without the use of active mechanical systems and technologies. An example of passive solar is orienting your home towards the south to take advantage of solar heating. |
| photon |
The basic unit of light. |
| photovoltaic (PV) |
The process of converting sunlight into electricity. |
| photovoltaic array |
An interconnected system of PV modules that function as a single electricity producing unit. |
| photovoltaic cell |
The basic unit of a photovoltaic module. |
| photovoltaic module |
A photovoltaic panel, or group of photovoltaic cells. A photovoltaic array is made up or photovoltaic modules. |
| photovoltaic system |
A complete set of components for converting sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic process. A photovoltaic system includes photovoltaic modules, inverter and balance of system components. |
| polycrystalline |
see 'multicrystalline' |
| Power |
Rate of delivery of energy, measured at an instant. The unit for power is Watts (W). |
| power purchase agreement (PPA) |
A contract between a power producer and a power consumer, which states that the customer will purchase a certain amount of power at a certain price from the producer. |
| PV |
Abbreviation for photovoltaic. |
| renewable energy credit |
Any tax credit offered by a local or federal taxation authority as an incentive for the installation and operation of renewable energy systems. |
| residential power purchase agreement |
See 'power purchase agreement'. Residential PPA's enable a homeowner to reap the benefits of clean renewable energy at a predictable cost without the initial cash outlay to purchase a system outright. |
| SHW |
Abbreviation for Solar Hot Water. |
| silicon (Si) |
a dark gray, semi-metallic, chemical element (atomic number 14). Silicon is an excellent semi-conductor material and is the building block of making photovoltaic cells. |
| solar cell |
See 'photovoltaic cell' |
| solar energy |
Energy from the sun. |
| solar financing |
|
| solar lease |
A solar lease allows a homeowner to take advantage of a solar system without having to put up a large amount of cash up front. Typically a solar lease will lock in a rate for a determined period of time with an option at the end of the lease to extend it, buy the system at a predetermined price, or remove the system. |
| solar monitoring |
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| Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) |
Also called Solar Renewable Energy Certificates. SRECs are available in states where a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) exists with a specific allocation for solar energy and are designed to provide individuals and corporations with an economic incentive to investing in solar electric systems. SRECs represent the renewable attributes from a solar system and provide income when the certificates are sold to the utilities. |
| solar rights |
The legal issue concerning the right of access to sunlight. |
| solar thermal |
A technology for harnessing solar energy for heat. Generally used to describe a method of heating water in residential and commercial instances. |
| thin film |
Thin film photovoltaics use layers of amorphous silicon instead of individual silicon cells. Some thin film panels are designed to be applied directly, without racks, to roofs. |
| tilt angle |
The distance measured in degrees from the horizontal to the angle of the solar module. The ideal tilt for maximum solar performance is as close as possible to perpendicular to the sun. |
| volt (V) |
A unit of measure of the force given the electrons in an electric circuit. |
| voltage |
The rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit; measured in volts. |
| watt (W) |
A unit of power equal to amps times volts. |
| watt hour (Wh) |
A unit of energy consisting of 1 watt acting over a period of one hour. |
| zep |
The patented Zep System enables rapid coupling and automatic grounding of solar modules for both roof and ground-mounted applications. The Zep System works with all solar modules that include a Zep Groove on the outside surface of an otherwise conventional solar module frame. The system requires no rails, making it easier to ship, warehouse and install. The heart of the Zep System is a specialized stainless steel fastener called the Zep. This quarter-turn coupling rapidly locks into the Zep Groove, enabling a drop-in installation action for one side of each PV module. |
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Glossary
