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

fill factor

Energy; Solar power

The ratio of a photovoltaic cell's actual power to its power if both current and voltage were at their maxima. A key characteristic in evaluating cell performance.

underground service entrance (USE)

Energy; Solar power

May be used within battery enclosures and for interconnecting balance-of-systems.

fixed tilt array

Energy; Solar power

A photovoltaic array set in at a fixed angle with respect to horizontal.

uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

Energy; Solar power

The designation of a power supply providing continuous uninterruptible service. The UPS will contain batteries.

flat-plate array

Energy; Solar power

A photovoltaic (PV) array that consists of non-concentrating PV modules.

utility-interactive inverter

Energy; Solar power

An inverter that can function only when tied to the utility grid, and uses the prevailing line-voltage frequency on the utility line as a control parameter to ensure that the photovoltaic system's ...