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

Anode

Energy; Solar power

The positive electrode in an electrochemical cell (battery). Also, the earth or ground in a cathodic protection system. Also, the positive terminal of a diode.

Polycrystalline silicon

Energy; Solar power

A material used to make photovoltaic cells, which consist of many crystals unlike single-crystal silicon.

Antireflection coating

Energy; Solar power

A thin coating of a material applied to a solar cell surface that reduces the light reflection and increases light transmission.

Battery capacity

Energy; Solar power

The maximum total electrical charge, expressed in ampere-hours, which a battery can deliver to a load under a specific set of conditions.

Rated battery capacity

Energy; Solar power

The term used by battery manufacturers to indicate the maximum amount of energy that can be withdrawn from a battery under specified discharge rate and temperature. See battery capacity.

Battery cell

Energy; Solar power

The simplest operating unit in a storage battery. It consists of one or more positive electrodes or plates, an electrolyte that permits ionic conduction, one or more negative electrodes or plates, ...