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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
concentrating solar power
Energy; Solar power
A category of solar power that uses reflective surfaces or lenses to direct a concentrated amount of the solar radiation to either a photovoltaic surface or to a device used to first heat liquids, ...
CSP
Energy; Solar power
An acrynym for concentrating solar power; category of solar power that uses reflective surfaces or lenses to direct a concentrated amount of the solar radiation to either a photovoltaic surface or to ...
irradiance
Energy; Solar power
When solar radiation comes into contact with a surface, by direct means or through diffusion or reflection.
insolation
Energy; Solar power
The measure of radiation that comes into contact with a surface at a given time; describes irradiance that occurs only through striking a surface directly.
tracking array
Energy; Solar power
Used to track the course of the sun to allow for maximum radiation when using a photovoltaic device. One of two orientations are usually used: tracking the sun east to west via one axis, or using ...
tilt angle
Energy; Solar power
The (adjustable) angle a photovoltaic array is placed at when directed at the sun to allow for maximum radiation absorption.
stand-alone system
Energy; Solar power
A photovoltaic system independent of a grid and most likely also includes storage (most commonly batteries).
