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

P-i-n

Energy; Solar power

A semiconductor photovoltaic (PV) device structure that layers an intrinsic semiconductor between a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor; this structure is most often used with amorphous ...

Amperage interrupt capability (AIC)

Energy; Solar power

Direct current fuses should be rated with a sufficient AIC to interrupt the highest possible current.

Photovoltaic (PV) module

Energy; Solar power

The smallest environmentally protected, essentially planar assembly of solar cells and ancillary parts, such as interconnections, terminals, (and protective devices such as diodes) intended to ...

Acceptor

Energy; Solar power

A dopant material, such as boron, which has fewer outer shell electrons than required in an otherwise balanced crystal structure, providing a hole, which can accept a free electron.

Photovoltaic (PV) panel

Energy; Solar power

Often used interchangeably with PV module (especially in one-module systems), but more accurately used to refer to a physically connected collection of modules (i.e., a laminate string of modules ...

Air mass

Energy; Solar power

Equal to the cosine of the zenith angle-that angle from directly overhead to a line intersecting the sun. The air mass is an indication of the length of the path solar radiation travels through the ...

Photovoltaic (PV) system

Energy; Solar power

A complete set of components for converting sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic process, including the array and balance of system components.