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Panel |
Used interchangeably with "module". |
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Parallel connected |
A method of connection in which positive terminals are connected together and negative terminals are connected together. Current output adds and voltage remains the same. |
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Passive solar home |
A house that utilizes part of the building as a solar collector, as opposed to active solar, such as PV. |
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Peak load |
The maximum usage of electrical power occurring in a given period of time, typically a day. The electrical supply must be able to be meet the peak load if it is to be reliable. |
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Peak power current |
Current in Amperes produced by a module or array operating at the voltage on the I-V curve that will produce its maximum power. |
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Peak sun hours |
The equivalent number of hours per day when solar irradiance averages 1000 W/m2. |
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Peak Watt |
The amount of power a solar PV cell or module will produce under standard test conditions (normally 1000 W/m2 and 25 |
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PECVD |
Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. |
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Photon |
Light is composed of energy particles called photons which have variable energy but constant speed. |
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Photovoltaic (PV) |
Any device which produces free electrons when exposed to light. |
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Photovoltaic (PV) array |
A number of PV modules connected together in a single structure. |
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Photovoltaic (PV) cell |
The smallest discrete element in a PV module that performs the conversion of light into electrical energy to produce a DC current and voltage. |
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Photovoltaic (PV) conversion efficiency |
The ratio of the electrical power generated by a PV device to the power of the light incident on it. This is typically in the range 5% to 15% for commercially available modules. |
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Photovoltaic (PV) generator |
The total of all PV strings of a PV power supply system, which are electrically interconnected. |
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Photovoltaic (PV) module |
A single assembly of solar cells and ancillary parts, such as interconnections, terminals, (and protective devices such as diodes) intended to generate DC power under un-concentrated sunlight. The structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer (superstrate) or the back layer (substrate). [UL 1703] |
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Photovoltaic (PV) panel |
Term often used interchangeably with PV module (especially in single module systems). |
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Photovoltaic cell |
The semiconductor device that converts solar irradiance (light) into DC electricity. |
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Photovoltaic effect |
The effect that causes a voltage to be developed across the junction of two different materials when they are exposed to light. |
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Photovoltaic system |
All the parts connected together that are required to produce solar electricity. |
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Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) system |
A photovoltaic system that, in addition to converting sunlight into electricity, collects the residual heat energy and delivers both heat and electricity in usable form. Also called a total energy system. |
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Plates |
The electrodes in a battery, usually in the form of metal plates. |
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Poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) |
A plastic used as an insulator on electrical cables. A toxic material, which is being replaced with alternatives made from more benign chemicals. |
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Polycrystalline cell |
A wafer of silicon with a multi-grained structure. All grains have the same atomic crystal lattice, however, each grain has a unique orientation in space thereby producing a unique reflection of light. |
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Polycrystalline silicon |
A material used to make solar PV cells which consists of many crystals, compared to single crystal silicon. |
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Power |
The rate of doing work. Expressed as Watts (W). For example, a generator rated at 800 watts can provide that amount of power continuously. 1 Watt = 1 joule/sec. |
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Power (Watts) |
Basic unit of electricity equal to the product of current and voltage (in DC circuits). |
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Power conditioning equipment |
Electrical equipment, or power electronics, used to convert power from a photovoltaic array into a form suitable for subsequent use. A collective term for inverter, converter, battery charge regulator, and blocking diode. |
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Power conversion efficiency |
The ratio of output power to input power e.g. of an inverter. |
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Power density |
The ratio of the power available from a battery to its volume (Watts per liter) or weight (Watts per kilogram). |
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Power factor |
The cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and the current waveforms in an AC circuit. A measure of inverter performance. |
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PPA |
Power Purchase Agreement. |
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Primary battery |
A battery that cannot be recharged. |
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PSG |
Phosphosilicate glass. |
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Purchasing Mechanism |
Where a system has been financed by an entity other than the owner, this describes the contractual structure, usually either lease, or PPA or Feed-in tariff remuneration. |
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PV |
Abbreviation for photovoltaics. |
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PV array |
Two or more photovoltaic panels wired in series and or parallel. |
