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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.

Contributors in Solar power

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.

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