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

work function

Energy; Solar power

The energy difference between the Fermi level and vacuum zero. The minimum amount of energy it takes to remove an electron from a substance into the vacuum.

grid

Energy; Solar power

See electrical grid.

zenith angle

Energy; Solar power

The angle between the direction of interest (of the sun, for example) and the zenith (directly overhead).

grid-connected system

Energy; Solar power

A solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) system in which the PV array acts like a central generating plant, supplying power to the grid.

grid-interactive system

Energy; Solar power

Same as grid-connected system.

grid lines

Energy; Solar power

Metallic contacts fused to the surface of the solar cell to provide a low resistance path for electrons to flow out to the cell interconnect wires.

harmonic content

Energy; Solar power

The number of frequencies in the output waveform in addition to the primary frequency (50 or 60 Hz.). Energy in these harmonic frequencies is lost and may cause excessive heating of the load.