6 Terms
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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
Captive electrolyte battery
Energy; Solar power
A battery having an immobilised electrolyte (gelled or absorbed in a material).
Satellite power system (SPS)
Energy; Solar power
Concept for providing large amounts of electricity for use on the Earth from one or more satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit. A very large array of solar cells on each satellite would provide ...
Seasonal depth of discharge
Energy; Solar power
An adjustment factor used in some system sizing procedures which "allows" the battery to be gradually discharged over a 30-90 day period of poor solar insolation. This factor results in a slightly ...
Cell junction
Energy; Solar power
The area of immediate contact between two layers (positive and negative) of a photovoltaic cell. The junction lies at the centre of the cell barrier or depletion zone.
Self-discharge
Energy; Solar power
The rate at which a battery, without a load, will lose its charge.
Series connexion
Energy; Solar power
A way of joining photovoltaic cells by connecting positive leads to negative leads; such a configuration increases the voltage.
