Glossary of Solar Terms
Solar Education Lights The Way
Explore our Glossary of Solar Terms to learn the language of solar energy, empowering you to make informed decisions.
Solar Energy Glossary
Explore Solstice Solar’s Solar Glossary, an essential guide for understanding the language of renewable energy, crucial for making informed decisions on your path to sustainable power.
Here at Solstice Solar, we believe in fostering a partnership with our clients. We want you to be actively involved in every step of your solar journey, and education is the heart of that collaboration. Feel free to explore the solar glossary and remember, our team is here to answer all your solar questions.
A
Angle of Incidence
The angle at which sunlight strikes a solar panel’s surface affects its energy absorption and efficiency.
Annual Solar Savings
The total amount of money saved by using solar energy throughout a year compared to traditional utility costs.
Anti-reflective Coating
A thin layer is applied to the surface of solar panels to reduce reflection and increase light absorption.
Array Efficiency
The overall efficiency of a group of solar panels working together in an array, taking into account any losses from shading, dirt, or panel mismatches.
B
Balance of Plant (BoP)
All the components and systems required to operate a solar power plant, excluding the solar panels themselves. This includes infrastructure, control systems, and more.
Battery Storage
A system that stores excess energy generated by solar panels for later use, typically during periods of low sunlight.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
Solar panels are integrated into building materials like roofs, windows, or walls, serving both as power generators and architectural elements.
C
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)
A thin-film photovoltaic material used in solar panels, known for its cost-effectiveness and good performance in low-light conditions.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, produced directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.
Clean Energy
Energy derived from renewable and sustainable sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, which have lower environmental impacts compared to fossil fuels.
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
A technology that uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area to produce high-temperature heat for electricity generation.
D
Demand Charges
Fees imposed by utility companies are based on the maximum amount of electricity used during a specific period, influencing the cost-effectiveness of solar energy systems.
Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
Small-scale power generation systems like solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage units located close to the point of energy consumption.
Distributed Generation
The generation of electricity from various small-scale sources, including residential solar installations, distributed across the grid.
E
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station
A device that charges electric vehicles using electricity generated from solar panels.
Electroluminescence
A technique used to inspect the quality of solar cells and panels by detecting defects or damage through the emission of light when a voltage is applied.
Emission Reduction Credits
Credits earned for reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions are often associated with solar energy projects.
Energy Independence
The ability of a location, such as a home or business, to generate all the energy it needs from renewable sources like solar, reducing reliance on external energy providers.
Energy Payback Time
The time it takes for a solar panel to generate as much energy as was used to manufacture it.
F
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
A financial incentive in the United States that provides a tax credit to individuals and businesses for investing in solar energy systems.
G
Grid Parity
The point at which the cost of electricity generated from solar panels is equal to or lower than the cost of electricity from the grid, making solar energy competitive.
I
Inverter Efficiency
The efficiency of an inverter in converting DC electricity from solar panels into AC electricity for use in homes and businesses.
Integrated Inverter
An inverter that is built directly into the solar panel, allows for a simplified installation and improved system efficiency.
L
Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)
The total cost of electricity generated over the lifetime of a solar power system, taking into account installation, maintenance, and other costs.
Load Shedding
A strategy to reduce electricity consumption during peak demand periods, often facilitated by energy management systems connected to solar installations.
M
Maximum Power Point (MPP)
The point at which a solar panel or array generates the highest power output, adjusted based on sunlight conditions.
Microgrid
A localized energy system that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main electrical grid, often incorporating solar power, storage, and other renewable sources.
N
National Electric Code (NEC)
A set of standards and safety guidelines for electrical installations, including those for solar power systems.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
A U.S. government research laboratory that conducts extensive research on renewable energy technologies, including solar power.
Net Metering:
A billing arrangement that allows solar system owners to receive credits for excess electricity they generate and feed back into the grid.
O
Off-Grid Solar System
A solar power system that operates independently of the electrical grid, often with battery storage for nighttime use.
P
Passive Solar Design
Architectural design principles use natural elements such as building orientation and materials to maximize solar heat gain and reduce the need for heating and cooling.
Peak Sun Hours
The number of hours in a day when solar panels receive enough sunlight to generate their maximum rated power output, can vary based on location and time of year.
Photovoltaic (PV) Array
A group of interconnected solar panels that work together to generate electricity.
Photovoltaic (PV) Efficiency
The efficiency of converting sunlight into electricity is a critical factor in evaluating the performance of solar panels.
Power Density
The amount of power produced by a solar installation per unit of surface area influences the space requirements for solar projects. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA):
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA
A financial arrangement where a third party owns and maintains a solar power system on a property, and the property owner purchases the electricity generated at a set rate.
R
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Tradable certificates representing the environmental attributes of renewable energy generation are often used to track and incentivize the use of clean energy.
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
State-level policies that require a certain percentage of electricity to come from renewable sources, including solar power.
Remote Area Power System (RAPS)
A solar power system designed to provide electricity to off-grid or remote areas where traditional electrical infrastructure is unavailable.
S
Solar Access
The degree to which a property receives unobstructed sunlight is a crucial consideration for solar panel installations.
Solar Cell
The basic unit that converts sunlight into electricity within a solar panel.
Solar Cell Efficiency Record
The highest level of efficiency achieved by a specific type of solar cell indicates how effectively it converts sunlight into electricity.
Solar Charge Controller
A device that regulates the voltage and current from solar panels to ensure proper charging of batteries in off-grid and hybrid solar systems.
Solar Energy Conversion
The process of converting sunlight into electricity or other usable forms of energy.
Solar Energy System
An integrated set of components, including solar panels, inverters, and mounting structures, designed to capture and convert sunlight into electricity.
T
Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates
Utility rates that vary based on the time of day, affecting the cost-effectiveness of solar energy systems.
Tier 1 Solar Panels
The basic unit that converts sunlight into electricity within a solar panel.
Tier 2 Solar Panels
Tier 2 solar panels are less expensive than Tier 1 panels but are less efficient at producing solar power.
U
Utility-Scale Solar
Large-scale solar installations designed to generate electricity for the grid, are often managed by utility companies.
W
A watt (W)
is a measurement of energy, being one unit of power.