A number of important abbreviations, terms and product descriptions are used in the solar power industry and are often used in relation to generate energy from the Sun.
Cell
A solar cell is the basic component in the manufacture of solar modules, which is a Cells are manufactured from wafers and are semiconductor devices that directly convert sunlight into electricity.
EEG
An abbreviation for “Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz”(German Renewable Energy Sources Act)A 5 kilowatt PV system generates 4,750 kWh per year .
Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar cell or module is defined as the ratio of energy output and energy input (sunlight)
Feed-in tariff
The local electricity supplier is obliged to accept power generated by regenerative energy systems and to pay for this at the current rates.
Grid Connected
A “grid-connected” solar electric system generates its own electricity and feeds its excess power into the utility grid for later use. Only grid-connected solar electric systems are eligible for many incentives and rebates.
Hot spot
Occurs when a single solar cell in series connection on one module is shade. Such a cell behaves like an ohmic resistor and if the current of the other cell flows through it, it can destroy itself by overheating.
Inverter
This is a complex electronic component that converts DC power into AC power and which is required for mains feed-in in solar power systems.
KWh
An abbreviation for kilowatthours .One kWh represents 1,000 watts over a period of one hour.
Module / Panel
Describes a unit composed of several solar cells that can be electrically connected together ,and having weatherproofing (glass) ,embedding and framing .
Monocrystalline Silicon
that is pulled as a single crystal. The internal crystalline structure is completely homogenous, which can be recognized by an even external coloring.
MW
An abbreviation for megawatt .This term is used to measure the power of solar systems.1MW=1,000 kW.
Net Metering
Net-metering allows the solar electric system to send excess electricity back through the electric meter to the utility. The meter actually runs backwards! Your utility will credit the excess power produced at the same rate paid for electricity purchased.
Peak Watts (Wp)
measures the efficiency of solar cells and solar modules assuming a vertical light incidence to the solar cell of 100 mW/cm2 at a solar cell temperature of
PV
This is short for photovoltaics (photo=light, voltaics = electricity ), another term for solar power. PV is a semiconductor-based technology used to convert light energy into direct current electricity, without using moving parts, producing noise, consuming fuel, or creating pollution. The words “solar cell” and “PV cell” are used interchangeably.
Polycrystalline
This is a crystalline structure of silicon where several crystals form in the mold. Polycrystalline cells can be recognized by a visible grain, a so-called “metal flake effect”.
STC (Standard Test Conditions)
The standard test conditions are the conditions in which the power and voltage values of a module/cell are measured and entered in the data sheet. STC = 1000W/m2, 25°C cell temperature, solar spectrum AM = 1,5.
Silicon
The raw material silicon is used for the production of solar cells .
Stand-alone system
The generated energy is stored in batteries and then subsequently used .These systems are not connected to the public mains grid.
Tracker
Installation system for solar modules, which mechanically guides the mounted module field to follow the sun, in order to obtain a surplus, single axis systems rotate from east to west and double axis systems also take the elevation of the sun into consideration (Elevation).
Volt (V)
Unit of measure of the difference in potential of the electric field between two points
Wafer
A sawn silicon disc ,used as the starting point for manufacturing a solar cell.
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