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

megawatt (MW)

Energy; Solar power

1,000 kilowatts, or 1 million watts; standard measure of electric power plant generating capacity.

solar cooling

Energy; Solar power

The use of solar thermal energy or solar electricity to power a cooling appliance. Photovoltaic systems can power evaporative coolers ("swamp" coolers), heat-pumps, and air conditioners.

dangling bonds

Energy; Solar power

A chemical bond associated with an atom on the surface layer of a crystal. The bond does not join with another atom of the crystal, but extends in the direction of exterior of the surface.

solar energy

Energy; Solar power

Electromagnetic energy transmitted from the sun (solar radiation). The amount that reaches the earth is equal to one billionth of total solar energy generated, or the equivalent of about 420 trillion ...

days of storage

Energy; Solar power

The number of consecutive days the stand-alone system will meet a defined load without solar energy input. This term is related to system availability.

solar-grade silicon

Energy; Solar power

Intermediate-grade silicon used in the manufacture of solar cells. Less expensive than electronic-grade silicon.

dc-to-dc converter

Energy; Solar power

Electronic circuit to convert direct current voltages (e.g., photovoltaic module voltage) into other levels (e.g., load voltage). Can be part of a maximum power point tracker.