| Cell |
A solar cell is the basic component in the manufacture of solar modules. Cells are manufactured from wafers. |
| CO2 |
An abbreviation for carbon dioxide. A pollutant created by power station production. With a solar power system, within a few years more CO2 is saved than was emitted for the production of the solar modules. |
| 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. |
| Inverter |
This is a complex electronic based power product that converts DC power into AC power and is required for solar power systems. |
| kWh |
An abbreviation for kilowatt hours. One kWh represents 1,000 watts over a period of one hour. Electricity rates are most commonly expressed in cents per kilowatt hour. |
| Million Solar Roofs Initiative |
This is an initiative to facilitate the installation of solar energy systems on one million US buildings by 2010. Increasing the demand for solar electric systems in the US will lower the cost. |
| Module |
Describes a unit composed of several solar cells that can be electrically connected, encapsulated in tempered glass and framed. |
| 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. 1 MW = 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. |
| Photovoltaics |
A physical effect causing a voltage to be generated across two electrical poles of a semiconductor plate and allowing current to flow when connected to a receiver. Photo (Greek) = photos: light; Volt = unit of electrical potential Voltage through light. |
| Polycrystalline |
This is a crystalline structure of silicon where several crystals form in a mold. Polycrystalline cells can be recognized by a visible grain, a “metal flake effect”. |
| Silicon |
The basic material used to make solar cells. It is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust, after oxygen. |
| Stand-alone system |
When generated energy is stored in batteries and then subsequently used. These systems are not connected to the utility grid. |
| Wafer |
A sawn silicon disc, used as the starting point for manufacturing a solar cell. |
