Absorber – the material that absorbs photons to generate charge carriers in a photovoltaic device [3]
Band-gap – potential energy barrier that must be overcome at the junction in order for electricity to flow [1]
Capacity Factor – the ratio of the average power output of an electricity generating unit or system to the capacity rating of the unit or system over a specified period of time [3]
Charge Controller – a component of a photovoltaic system that indicates the system’s operational status by controlling the flow of current to and from the system’s battery in order to protect it from over-charging [3]
Disconnect – switch gear used to connect or disconnect components in a PV system [3]
Grid-connected system – a photovoltaic system in which the PV array supplies power to the grid; excess power is always fed to the grid lines [3, 2]
Inverter – converts DC power into AC for supplying the loads or interfacing with the grid [2]
Junction box – absorbs light and separates charge carriers (i.e. electrons and ions); located on the module where photovoltaic strings are electrically connected and if necessary where protection devices are located [2, 3]
Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) – the cost of energy of a photovoltaic system that is based on the system’s installed price, total lifetime cost, and lifetime electricity production [3]
Life – the operation period during which a PV system is capable of performing [3]
Life-cycle cost – the estimated owning and operating costs of a PV system throughout its useful life [3]
Megawatt (MW) – standard measure of power; the equivalent of 1,000 kilowatts (kW) or 1 million watts (W) [3]
Parallel Connection – A way of joining PV modules so that positive leads connect together and negative leads connect, creating a configuration that increases electrical current [1,3]
Photovoltaics (PV) – the direct conversion of light into electricity [3]
Photovoltaic (PV) array – a group of several modules that are electrically connected in a series-parallel combination, thus functioning as a single electricity-producing unit, to generate the required current and voltage [2]
Photovoltaic (PV) cell – semiconductor element that directly converts light into electricity; the smallest and most basic building block of the PV power system, only a few inches in size; numerous cells are connected in series or parallel circuits on a panel or module area of several square feet to obtain high power [3, 2]
Photovoltaic (PV) conversion efficiency – the ratio of the electric power produced by a photovoltaic device to the power of the sunlight impinged on the device (i.e. cell or module) [3]
η = electrical power output ÷ solar power impinging on device [2]
Photovoltaic (PV) effect – the electrical potential developed between two dissimilar materials when their common junction is illuminated with radiation of photons; converts photon energy into voltage across the pn junction [2]
Photovoltaic (PV) generator – the total of all PV strings which are electrically interconnected in the PV power supply system [3]
Photovoltaic (PV) module – assembly of interconnected solar cells which generate direct current power under unconcentrated sunlight [3]
Photovoltaic (PV) panel – oftentimes used interchangeably with PV module but the more accurate definition is a physically connected collection of modules [3]
Photovoltaic (PV) system – a complete set of components which use the photovoltaic process to convert sunlight into electricity; components include the array/module, land, system installation, system’s structural support, design costs, operation and maintenance costs, and other related preparations and costs associated with the PV system [3]
Power – the amount of energy available to perform work; measured in Watts, Btu per hour, or horsepower [3]
Quarter – three month period of time
Semiconductor – material that has a limited capacity for conducting an electrical current and allows electrons to flow in only one direction; typically made of silicon for the photovoltaic conversion process [3, 1]
Series controller – located in series with the PV array, the series controller is a charge controller that interrupts the charging current by open-circuirting the PV array [3]
Silicon (Si) – a semi-metallic chemical element with latticed crystalline structure made of silicon atoms that make excellent semiconductor material for PV devices [1, 3]
Smart grid – an electric power system that controls grid activity by regulating the two-way flow of electricity and information between consumers and power plants [3]
Soft costs – Non-hardware costs such as financing, permitting, installation, and interconnection that are related to PV systems [3]
Solar constant – the average amount of solar radiation that reaches the earth’s atmosphere; equal to 1353 watts per square meter or 492 Btu per square foot [3]
Solar energy – the electromagnetic energy transmitted from the sun, also known as solar radiation [3]
Wafer – a thin sheet of semiconductor cells several square centimeters in size, usually made of crystalline silicon, used in most commercial photovoltaic cells; made from cutting a single ingot [1, 2, 3]
Watt – the product of voltage and current, or amperage, which determines the rate of energy transfer [3]
Author: Abby Studen
Editor:Hannah Goldstein
Sources:
[1] Rubin, E (2001). Introduction to Engineering and the Environment (1st ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Print.
[2] Patel, M. (2006). Wind and Solar Power Systems: Design, Analysis, and Operation (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis. Print.
[3] U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. “Solar Energy Glossary.” Web. Accessed online through http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-energy-glossary