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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
Silicon (SI)
Energy; Solar power
A semi-metallic chemical element that makes an excellent semiconductor material for photovoltaic devices. It crystallises in face-centered cubic lattice like a diamond. It's commonly found in sand ...
Converter
Energy; Solar power
A unit that converts a direct current (dc) voltage to another dc voltage.
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.
Deep-cycle battery
Energy; Solar power
A battery with large plates that can withstand many discharges to a low state-of-charge.
Deep discharge
Energy; Solar power
Discharging a battery to 20% or less of its full charge capacity.
Single-stage controller
Energy; Solar power
A charge controller that redirects all charging current as the battery nears full state-of-charge.