5 Terms
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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.
Industry: Energy
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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.
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).
