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

lattice

Energy; Solar power

The regular periodic arrangement of atoms or molecules in a crystal of semiconductor material.

lead-acid battery

Energy; Solar power

A general category that includes batteries with plates made of pure lead, lead-antimony, or lead-calcium immersed in an acid electrolyte.

life

Energy; Solar power

The period during which a system is capable of operating above a specified performance level.

life-cycle cost

Energy; Solar power

The estimated cost of owning and operating a photovoltaic system for the period of its useful life.

light-induced defects

Energy; Solar power

Defects, such as dangling bonds, induced in an amorphous silicon semiconductor upon initial exposure to light.

light trapping

Energy; Solar power

The trapping of light inside a semiconductor material by refracting and reflecting the light at critical angles; trapped light will travel further in the material, greatly increasing the probability ...

line-commutated inverter

Energy; Solar power

An inverter that is tied to a power grid or line. The commutation of power (conversion from direct current to alternating current) is controlled by the power line, so that, if there is a failure in ...