Solar power

Solar power

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaics convert light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.

Industry: Energy

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Solar power

equinox

Energy; Solar power

The two times of the year when the sun crosses the equator and night and day are of equal length; usually occurs on March 21st (spring equinox) and September 23 (fall equinox).

tunneling

Energy; Solar power

Quantum mechanical concept whereby an electron is found on the opposite side of an insulating barrier without having passed through or around the barrier.

extrinsic semiconductor

Energy; Solar power

The product of doping a pure semiconductor.

ultraviolet

Energy; Solar power

Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range of 4 to 400 nanometers.

fermi level

Energy; Solar power

Energy level at which the probability of finding an electron is one-half. In a metal, the Fermi level is very near the top of the filled levels in the partially filled valence band. In a ...

photovoltaic(s) (PV)

Energy; Solar power

Pertaining to the direct conversion of light into electricity.

photovoltaic (PV) array

Energy; Solar power

An interconnected system of PV modules that function as a single electricity-producing unit. The modules are assembled as a discrete structure, with common support or mounting. In smaller systems, an ...