Solar Glossary
The Solar Glossary is a collection of key terms and definitions related to solar energy, technology, and systems. It helps users understand industry-specific concepts like AC Power, Alternative Energy, Battery Capacity etc.
AC Power
Alternating current power is the standard type of electricity used in homes and businesses.
Alternative Energy
Alternative energy refers to renewable power sources that replace fossil fuels. It includes solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.
Battery Capacity
The maximum amount of electrical charge, measured in ampere-hours, that a battery is capable of providing to a load given a particular set of conditions.
Downtime
Downtime is the period when a photovoltaic system is not generating electricity due to maintenance, failures, or other issues.
Electric Bill
A monthly statement from a utility company showing the amount of electricity and cost a household or business has used.
Electrical Grid
Is the interconnected system of powerlines and infrastructure which delivers electricity from producers to consumers.
Electrical Panel Upgrade
An electrical panel upgrade involves replacing a current circuit breaker to support new systems such as solar and to handle a higher electrical load.
Energy Storage
Energy storage systems such as batteries store electricity from solar panels and can be used at night or during power outages.
EV Charging with Solar
An EV can be recharged using solar energy collected by a PV system which results in both a sustainable and cost-saving vehicle option.
Federal Solar Tax Credit
The Federal Solar Tax Credit is a government incentive which gives you a 30% federal income tax credit for the total cost it took to install a home solar system.
Gigawatt
A gigawatt(GW) is a unit of power which is equal to one billion watts or one thousand megawatts.
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gasses are gases in the atmosphere which trap heat and contribute to climate change.
High Voltage Disconnect
A safety switch in which the high voltage disconnect which is used to cut the power from a solar system in cases of maintenance and emergency occurrences.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A measure of energy which is equal to using 1,000 watts for one hour. Customers pay by the kWh for electricity.
Local Utility
Is the company that delivers electricity to homes and businesses while also managing billing, grid maintenance, and energy distribution.
Megawatt
A megawatt is a unit of power which is equal to one million watts.
Meter
A meter tracks how much electricity is used by a home or business and sometimes how much solar power is sent back to the grid.
Microinverter
Is a small device attached to each solar panel which converts DC power into AC electricity which is used to power your home.
Net Metering
With net metering, you receive credit on your electric bill for any solar energy you share with the grid. This system allows homeowners to enjoy cheaper electricity and stabilizes the power grid since generating electricity becomes more decentralized.
Peak Demand
Peak demand is the highest electricity demand at a specific time, usually occurring whenever homes and/or businesses are using electricity at once.
Photovoltaic (PV) Technology
Photovoltaic (PV) technology uses sunlight and solar cells containing semiconductors to produce electricity. Solar panels are applied to grid-tied and private systems for houses and businesses and allow people to spend less on energy and harm the environment less.
PV Array
Is a group of solar panels linked together on a roof (an array), to generate electricity utilizing sunlight.
PV Modules/Panels
A collection of PV cells connected together within a frame that convert sunlight into electricity.
PV Monitoring
Tracks the performance as well as the output of a solar power system in real time and provides information to the user.
Solar Panel Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar panel tells us how much sunlight can be used to create electricity which determines both the panel’s size and the energy it produces. Higher efficiency panels produce more power using a smaller area, perfect for areas where there isn’t much room.
Solar Panel Installation Process
Installing a solar panel system goes from the initial meeting, through planning and approvals, physical setup and ending with being linked to the power grid.
Solar Panel Maintenance
Routine checks and occasional cleaning are part of keeping solar panels in the best possible condition, although modern solar panels are very low maintenance.
Solar PPA
A solar PPA allows an external company to set up and maintain a solar system on your property. Only the electricity you generate will cost you, usually for less than what you might pay your utility.
Solar ROI (Return on Investment)
Solar ROI measures how your solar system makes money, looking at the total savings and incentives and comparing them to the initial investment over the lifetime of the system. By figuring out the solar ROI, homeowners and businesses can see if solar is worth the cost and know when they will recover their investment.
Tiered Utility Rates
A tiered rate plan means that as a person uses more energy in a month, the per-unit price goes up within the monthly billing cycle. Knowing these rates is very important since using extra energy may end up costing you a lot and companies like Enact can help install solar systems to reduce your bills.
Time-of-Day Use (TOU)
TOU describes the variation in energy use throughout the day, with the highest demand usually happening in the late afternoon or evening. Since the power grid can bear less electricity when usage peaks, utility companies set TOU pricing that charges high rates during peak times and low rates during other times to encourage people to use energy when it is less in demand.
