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

Add a new term

Contributors in Solar power

Become a Contributors

Solar power

Load circuit

Energy; Solar power

The wire, switches, fuses, etc. that connect the load to the power source.

Low voltage cutoff (lvc)

Energy; Solar power

The voltage level at which a charge controller will disconnect the load from the battery.

Low voltage disconnect

Energy; Solar power

The voltage at which a charge controller will disconnect the load from the batteries to prevent over-discharging.

Low voltage disconnect hysteresis

Energy; Solar power

The voltage difference between the low voltage disconnect set point and the voltage at which the load will be reconnected.

Light trapping

Energy; Solar power

The trapping of light inside a semiconductor material by refracting and reflecting the light at critical angles; trapped light will travel further in the material, greatly increasing the probability ...

Line-commutated inverter

Energy; Solar power

An inverter that is tied to a power grid or line. The commutation of power (conversion from direct current to alternating current) is controlled by the power line, so that, if there is a failure in ...

Liquid electrolyte battery

Energy; Solar power

A battery containing a liquid solution of acid and water. Distilled water may be added to these batteries to replenish the electrolyte as necessary. Also called a flooded battery because the plates ...