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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.

Contributors in Solar power

Solar power

point-contact cell

Energy; Solar power

A high efficiency silicon photovoltaic concentrator cell that employs light trapping techniques and point-diffused contacts on the rear surface for current collection.

annual solar savings

Energy; Solar power

The annual solar savings of a solar building is the energy savings attributable to a solar feature relative to the energy requirements of a non-solar building.

polycrystalline

Energy; Solar power

See Multicrystalline.

anode

Energy; Solar power

The positive electrode in an electrochemical cell (battery). Also, the earth or ground in a cathodic protection system. Also, the positive terminal of a diode.

polycrystalline silicon

Energy; Solar power

A material used to make photovoltaic cells, which consist of many crystals unlike single-crystal silicon.

antireflection coating

Energy; Solar power

A thin coating of a material applied to a solar cell surface that reduces the light reflection and increases light transmission.

power conditioning

Energy; Solar power

The process of modifying the characteristics of electrical power (for e.g., inverting direct current to alternating current).

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