Hey all members , being new to this forum and new in solar business .Am of a suggestion that we create a section in the forum for Terms / words used in solar this came to my mind when I came across the term or short abbreviation PV= photovoltaic , which I didn't know ,and also I don't know if its against the forum board rules to post photos or pics as attachments to ones post b'se have tried it but in vain , making it difficult to give the exact question I have in mind...I will be happy if my request looked thru
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Terms / Words used in solar energy
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There are too many abbreviations in the world, that the page can't accommodate, thousands in fact.
Asking for explanation of the abbreviations is more compatible with the rules of a forum. -
I'd support the idea of an abbreviations or definition of terms section as an aid to communication. Seems to me many/most abbreviations can be defined by one word per letter - STC = Standard Test Conditions, etc. The use of linguistic shortcuts can hamper effective communication, especially with the uninitiated/new when its needed more than other in circumstances. I try to avoid using abbreviations, or define a term the first time I use it in a post/thread, but sometimes forget or, blunt & dirty truth to tell, get lazy and inconsiderate. I don't appreciate it when done to me and I'm ignorant of the subject being discussed.
That's different from in my mind however, not knowing the basics. For example, not knowing differences in concept - a Watt vs. a kiloWatt, or a kiloWatt vs. a kiloWatt-hour for example. Some reader self input to the brain is required.Comment
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Are you trying to use the Insert Image formatting button or the Upload Attachments button?
Both of them have limitations on the size of the attached file and there are restrictions on the allowed file types as well.
If all else fails, you can host your images on a site like Photobucket and just put a link into your post.SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.Comment
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Why bother? Are you to lazy to do a simple search?
If you had did a simple search you would have founds hundreds of list like this one. As you can see the list is so large, no way to get it all down to a page. I dare you to read them all and understand.- AAQS—Ambient Air Quality Standards (environment) (US)
- AAU—Assigned amount units (measurement)
- ABT—Availability based tariff (electricity)
- ABF—Aquatic Base Flow (Hydropower) (electricity)
- AC—Alternating current
- ACA—Annual Charge Adjustment (electricity)
- Acc.—Accession countries (to the European Union) (government)
- ACE—Area Control Error (electricity)
- ACEEE—American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
- ACRS—Accelerated Cost Recovery System (finance)
- ADITC—Accumulated Deferred Investment Tax Credit (policy)
- ADR—Asset Depreciation Range (finance)
- AEP—American Electric Power (electricity)
- AESO—Alberta Electric System Operator
- AFE—Authority for Expenditure or Authorization for Expenditure
- AFUDC—allowance for funds used during construction
- AFV—Alternative fuel vehicle
- AGA—American Gas Association
- AGC—Automatic generation control
- AGD—Associated Gas Distributors (US)
- AIMA—Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (US)
- ALJ—Administrative law judge
- AMBO—Armenia, Macedonia, Bulgaria Oil pipeline
- AMI—Advanced metering infrastructure
- AMR—Automated meter reading also known as Automatic Meter Reading
- AMRA—Automatic Meter Reading Association
- ANGTA—Alaskan Natural Gas Transportation Act of 1977 to build the Alaska gas pipeline
- ANGTS—Alaskan Natural Gas Transportation System
- ANSI—American National Standards Institute
- AOS—Authorized Overrun Service
- APA—Administrative Procedure Act
- —Alaska Power Administration
- APE—Area of potential effect (electricity)
- API—American Petroleum Institute (oil)
- APPA—American Public Power Association (electricity)
- APR—Actual peak reduction (e.g. in demand response systems) (electricity)
- AQCR—Air Quality Control Region (US) (environment)
- ARA—(in shipping) ports of Amsterdam – Rotterdam – Antwerp (oil)
- ARR—Auction Revenue Rights (electricity)
- ASCC—Alaskan System Coordination Council
- ASE—Alliance to Save Energy
- ASTM—American Society for Testing and Materials
- ATC—Available transfer capability
- AVR—Automatic Voltage Regulator (electricity)
- BA—Balancing Authority
- BA—Biological Assessment
- BACT—Best Available Control Technology
- BBL/D—Barrel per day
- BBL/SD—Barrel per day, on stream days
- BBL—barrel (42 gallons)
- BCD—Barrel per day, on calendar days
- BCF—billion cubic feet
- BCP—Blackstart Capability Plan
- BES—Bulk electric system (Electricity transmission)
- BfP—Bureau Fédéral du Plan (Belgium). (Has responsibilities over economic, social and environmental policy
- bhp— Brake horsepower
- BIA—Bureau of Indian Affairs (US)
- bl—Barrel
- BLM—Bureau of Land Management of United States Department of the Interior
- BLS—Bureau of Labor Statistics of United States Department of Labor
- BOE—Barrel of oil equivalent (international)
- BPA—Bonneville Power Administration (US)
- BPL—Broadband over power line
- BPS—Bulk Power System (Electricity transmission)
- BTMG—Behind The Meter Generation
- BTU—British thermal unit(s)
- BTX—from BTX process, a mixture of benzene, toluene, and xylene (oil)
- BuRec—United States Bureau of Reclamation (government)
- BWR—Boiling water reactor (nuclear)
- C&I—Commercial and industrial customers (Electricity transmission)
- CA—Carbon Abatement- increasing carbon neutrality
- —Control area (EU) – The portion of the generation and transmission system controlled by a single transmission system operator. (See also TSO).
- CAA—Clean Air Act (US)
- CAEM—Center for the Advancement of Energy Markets (US)
- CAFE—Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards (US)
- CAISO—California Independent System Operator Corporation, a regional transmission organization. (US)
- CAP—Capacity market programs
- —Climate Action Plan
- CAPM—Capital asset pricing model
- CARB—California Air Resources Board
- CBL—Customer Baseline Load
- CBM—Capacity Benefit Margin
- CBOB—Conventional Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending (Motor Gasoline Blending Component)
- CC—Combined cycle see also CCPP and CCGT
- CCGT—Combined cycle gas turbine electricity generator
- CCLIP—Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects
- CCN—Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (utilities regulation)
- CCPG—Colorado Coordinated Planning Group
- CCPP—Combined cycle power plant
- CD—Contract Demand
- CDD—Cooling degree day, a qualitative index used to reflect the demand for energy to cool a business
- CDM—Clean Development Mechanism
- CEA—Country Environmental Analysis
- CEC—California Energy Commission
- CEEC—Central and Eastern European Countries
- CEMS—Continuous emissions monitoring system
- CEP—Country Environmental Profile
- —Clean Energy Partnership, a joint hydrogen-project in Europe.
- CEPS—Centre for European Policy Studies
- CEPII—Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales Economics think tank
- CEQ—Council on Environmental Quality
- CER—Certified Emission Reduction
- CERA—Cambridge Energy Research Associates
- CERCLA—Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act "Superfund" (US)
- CERCLIS—Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (US)
- CERTS—Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions sposored by the United States Department of Energy and California Energy Commission (US)
- CfD—Contract for difference
- CFS—cubic feet per second
- CFTC—Commodity Futures Trading Commission
- CH4—Methane
- CHP—Combined heat and power
- CIAC—Contributions in Aid of Construction
- CIP—Critical Infrastructure Protection (US)
- —see also EPCIP European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection
- CMVE—Competitive Market Value Estimate
- CNG—Compressed natural gas
- CO—Carbon monoxide
- CO2—Carbon dioxide
- COC—Cost of capital
- COE—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- CP—Coincident Peak
- —Certificate Proceeding
- CPA—California Power Authority
- CPI—Consumer Price Index
- CPP—Critical Peak Pricing
- CPP-F—Critical peak fixed
- CPP-F—Critical peak variable
- CPS—Control Performance Standard
- —Cycles per second (hertz)
- CPUC—California Public Utilities Commission
- CREF—Caribbean Renewable Energy Facility
- CRP—Conservation Reserve Program (US)
- CRT—Capacity Reservation Tariff
- CSD—Commission for Sustainable Development (UN)
- CSEM—Center for the Study of Energy Markets (US)
- CSP—Country Strategy Paper
- —Curtailment service provider
- CT—Combustion turbine (electricity)
- CZMA—Coastal Zone Management Act
- DADRP—Day Ahead Demand Response Program
- DANIDA—Danish International Development Agency
- DA-RTP—RTP Day ahead real time pricing (regarding Electricity metering)
- DC—Direct current
- DCLM—Direct control load management
- DCS—Disturbance Control Standard
- DEFG—Distributed Energy Financial Group (US)
- DEIS—Draft Environmental Impact Statement (US)
- DER—Distributed Energy Resources
- DF—Distribution Factor
- DG—Distributed generation (electricity)
- —Directorate-General (EU) (government)
- DIIS—Danish Institute for International Studies (organization)
- DLC—Direct load control (regarding Load management)
- DME—Disturbance Monitoring Equipment
- DO—Dissolved oxygen
- DOE—United States Department of Energy (government)
- DOE/FE—United States Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy (government)
- DOI—United States Department of the Interior (government)
- DOT—United States Department of Transportation (government)
- DR—Demand response
- DRAM—Demand Response and Advanced Metering Coalition
- DRB—Demonstrated reserve base
- DRCC—Demand Response Coordinating Council (coalition)
- DRR—Demand Response resources
- DRRC—Demand Response Research Center (California)
- DSM—Demand side management
- DSO—Distribution system operator (regarding electricity distribution)
- Dth—Dekatherm (defined as 1 million British thermal units, also written "MMBtu") (measurement)
- DTW—dealer tank wagon (as in, "oil companies setting regional dealer tank wagon pricing") (Oil)
- E&D—Exploration and development expenses
- E85—E85 fuel: A fuel containing a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline
- E95—like E85 fuel but with less gasoline. A fuel containing a mixture of 95 percent ethanol and 5 percent gasoline
- EA—Environmental assessment as in an Environmental impact assessment
- EAR—Estimated additional resources, as in considering reserves of uranium deposits
- EC—European Commission
- ECAR—East Central Area Reliability Coordination Agreement (US)
- EPCIP—European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection
- ECPA—Electric Consumers Protection Act (US)
- EDC—Electric Distribution Company (electricity)
- EdF—Electricité de France
- EDRP—Emergency demand response program
- EE—Energy efficiency
- EEI—Edison Electric Institute
- EF—Earth Fault
- EHV—Extra high voltage
- EIA—Energy Information Administration (US)
- —Environmental impact assessment (international)
- EIB—European Investment Bank
- EIM—Energy Imbalance Market (electricity)
- EIPP—Eastern Interconnection Phasor Project
- EIS—Environmental Impact Statement (US)
- ELCON—Electricity Consumers Resources Council
- EMF—Electro magnetic field
- EMP—Environmental Management Plan
- EOR—Enhanced oil recovery
- EPA—United States Environmental Protection Agency
- EPAct—Energy Policy Act of 1992 (US)
- EPRI—Electric Power Research Institute (US)
- EPSA—Electric Power Supply Association
- EQR—Electric Quarterly Report
- ERA—Economic Regulatory Administration (part of United States Department of Energy
- ERCOT—Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc, a regional transmission organization. (US)
- ERGEG—European Regulators Group for Electricity and Gas
- ERIS—Energy Resource Interconnection Service (electricity)
- ERO—Electric Reliability Organization. The US designated NERC as its ERO.
- ERoEI—Energy returned on energy invested
- ERRA—Energy Regulators Regional Association
- ESCO—Energy service company
- ESI—Environmental Sustainability Index
- ESMAP—Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme
- ESP—Electrostatic precipitator
- ESS—Energy Storage System, as in grid energy storage (electricity)
- ETBE—ethyl tertiary butyl ether
- ETSO—European Transmission System Operators association
- EU—European Union
- EUEF—European Union Energy Facility
- EUEI—European Union Energy Initiative
- FAC—Fuel Adjustment Clause
- FACTS—Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System
- FASB—Financial Accounting Standards Board
- FBR—fast breeder reactor
- FCITC—First Contingency Incremental Transfer Capability
- FEIS—Final Environmental impact statement (US)
- FELCC—Firm Energy Load Carrying Capability
- FERC—Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (U.S.)
- FGD—Flue-gas desulfurization
- FINESSE—Financing Energy Services for Small Scale Users
- Fishway—Fish ladder
- FLPMA—Federal Land Policy and Management Act (US)
- FME—Free market economics
- FONSI—Finding of no significant impact. See Environmental impact statement (US)
- FPA—Federal Power Act (US)
- FPC—Federal Power Commission (US)
- FPS—Firm peaking service. See Peaking power plant
- FRCC—Florida Reliability Coordinating Council (US)
- FRS—Financial Reporting System
- FT—Firm Transportation Service
- FTC—Federal Trade Commission (US)
- FTR—Firm Transmission Rights
- —Financial Transmission Rights. See explanation in electricity markets.
- FTS—Firm transportation service
- FUA—The Fuel Use Act (US)
- FUCO—Foreign Utility Company
- FWPA—Federal Water Power Act (US)
- G&T—Generation and transmission utility cooperative (electricity)
- GADS—Generating Availability Data System (electricity)
- GAL—gallon (measurement)
- GAO—Government Accountability Office (General Accounting Office) (US) (government)
- GATT—General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (government)
- GDP—gross domestic product (economics)
- GEF—Global Environmental Facility (environment)
- Genco—Any company doing electricity generation (US) (electricity)
- GFN—Global Footprint Network
- GFSE—Global Forum on Sustainable Energy (organization)
- GHC—Gross Inland (energy) Consumption (EU) (energy)
- GHG—Greenhouse gas (climate)
- GIA—Generator Interconnection Agreement (electricity)
- GIC—Gas Inventory Charge (natural gas)
- GISB—Gas Industry Standards Board (now NAESB) (US) (natural gas)
- GLDF—Generator to Load Distribution Factor. See Load balancing (electricity)
- Gm3—Billion cubic metres (measurement – gas)
- GMO—Genetically modified organism
- GMP—Green Mountain Power (US) (electricity)
- GNP—gross national product (economics)
- GNSED—Global Network for Sustainable Energy Development
- GRI—Gas Research Institute (US) (natural gas)
- GridCo—Any company running a transmission grid (electricity). Also known as a TransCo (US) (electricity)
- GSF—Generator to Load Distribution Factor. See Load balancing (electricity)
- GSR—Gas Supply Realignment (natural gas)
- Gt—Gigaton (1 billion tons) (measurement)
- GTCC—Gas Turbine Combined Cycle (electricity)
- GTI—Gas Technology Institute (US)
- Gtoe—One billion tons of oil equivalent(EU) (measurement- oil)
- GVEP—Global Village Energy Partnership (organization)
- GVW—gross vehicle weight (transportation)
- GW—Gigawatt (one billion watts) (measurement- elect)
- GWE—Gigawatt of electric energy (measurement- elect)
- Gwh—Gigawatt hour (one billion watt hours) (measurement- elect)
- GWP—global warming potential (climate)
- HCA—Host Control Area (electricity)
- HDD—Heating degree days a qualitative index used to reflect the demand for energy to heat a business (conservation)
- HERS—Home energy rating standard (conservation)
- HHI—Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (markets)
- HID—high intensity discharge (electricity)
- hp—Horsepower (measurement)
- HTGR—high temperature gas cooled reactor (nuclear)
- HVAC—Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (conservation)
- —High voltage alternating current (electricity)
- HVAR—Highly Valued Aquatic Resource
- HVDC—High Voltage Direct Current
- I/C—Interruptible /Curtailable (electricity)
- ICAP—Installed Capacity (electricity)
- ICAP-SCR—Installed capacity special case resources (electricity)
- ICCP—Inter-Control Center Communications Protocol (electricity)
- ICE—Internal combustion engine (transportation)
- ICT—Independent Coordinator of Transmission (US) (electricity)
- IDC—Interchange Distribution Calculator (electricity)
- IEA—International Energy Agency (Paris)
- IEM—Internal electricity market (electricity)
- IEEE—Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- IEPE—Institute of Energy Policy and Economics (France)
- IER—Incremental Energy Rate
- IET—International emission trading (policy)
- IGCC—Integrated coal gasification combined cycle
- IGIC—Interim gas inventory charge (natural gas)
- IGSC—Interim gas supply charge (natural gas)
- IGT—Institute of Gas Technology (natural gas)
- IHR—Incremental Heat Rate- plant monitoring (electricity)
- IIASA—International Institute for Applied System Analysis
- IJC—International Joint Commission
- ILP—Integrated Licensing Process
- INGAA—Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
- IOS—Interconnected Operations Services (electricity)
- IOU—Investor owned utility (electricity)
- IPAA—Independent Petroleum Association of America (oil)
- IPCC—Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (climate)
- IPP—Independent Power Producer (electricity)
- IPS/UPS—Integrated Power System/United Power System, consisting of Independent Power Systems of 12 countries bordering Russia and the Unified Power System of Russia
- IRC—ISO / RTO Council (electricity)
- IROL—Interconnection Reliability Operating Limit (electricity)
- IRP—Integrated Resource Planning
- IRR—Internal Rate of Return (finance)
- ISO—Independent System Operator (US) (see also TSO) Responsible for grid management, but does not own assets. (electricity)
- ISO-NE—Independent System Operator of New England, a regional transmission organization. (US) (electricity)
- ISO—NE ISO New England, Inc. (electricity)
- ISS—Interruptible Sales Service
- IT—Interruptible Transportation is gas shipment via pipeline whose delivery may be interrupted in favor of "firm shipment" contracts if there is lack of capacity. (natural gas)
- ITC—Investment tax credit (policy)
- ITS—"Interruptible Transportation Service" is gas shipment via pipeline whose delivery may be interrupted in favor of "firm shipment" contracts if there is lack of capacity. (natural gas)
- koe—One kilogram oil equivalent (EU) (measurement)
- kV—Kilovolt (one thousand volts) (measurement)
- kVA—One thousand volt Ampere (measurement)
- kvar—one thousand vars (measurement)
- kW—Kilowatt (one thousand watts) (measurement)
- kWE—kilowatt electric (measurement)
- kWh—Kilowatt hour (one thousand watt hours) (measurement)
- LaaR—Load acting as a resource (ERCOT category) (electricity)
- LBA—Local Balancing Authority (electricity)
- LBNL—Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US)
- LDC—Local distribution company (electricity)
- LEVP—Low Emissions Vehicle Program
- LHV—lower heating value
- LIHEAP—Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- LIPA—Long Island Power Authority (US) (electricity)
- LLF—Load-loss factor (electricity)
- LMP—Locational marginal price/pricing. See explanation in electricity markets.
- LMR—Load Modifying Resource (electricity)
- LNG—Liquified Natural Gas
- LODF—Line Outage Distribution Factor (electricity)
- LOLE—Loss of Load Expectation (electricity)
- LPG—liquefied petroleum gas
- LPN—Lender Participation Notes
- LRG—liquefied refinery gases
- LSE—Load serving entity
- LSF—Load Shift Factor
- lsfo—Low sulfur fuel oil
- LWR—light water reactor
- MAAC—Mid Atlantic Area Council (US- geographically within PJM)
- MADRI—Mid Atlantic Distributed Resources Initiative (US)
- MAIN—Mid America Interconnected Network (US)
- MAOP—Maximum allowable operating pressure
- MAPP—Mid Continent Area Power Pool (US)
- MBD—million barrels per day
- MBOED—One million barrels of oil equivalent(EU)
- MBR—Market based Rates
- MBS—Macro economic Budget Support
- Mcf—Roman numeral "M" for one thousand cubic feet (measurement of natural gas)
- MDAS—Meter Data Acquisition System
- MDD—Maximum Daily Delivery Obligations
- MDDQ—Maximum Daily Delivery Quantity
- MDM—Meter Data Management
- MDQ—Maximum Daily Quantities
- MECS—Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey
- MEDREP—Mediterranean Renewables Energy Partnership
- MER—Maximum efficient rate
- MERC—Mobile Emission Reduction Credit (MERC) (US)
- MFV—Modified fixed variable rate
- MISO—Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. A regional transmission organization. (US)
- MLP—Maximum lawful price
- MLRA—Major Land Resource Areas
- MM—Used to denote million in gas usage
- MMbbl/d—one million barrels of oil per day
- MMBtu—1 million British thermal units, same as dekatherm
- MMC—Market Monitoring Center
- MMCF—one million cubic feet (measurement of natural gas)
- MMCFD—one million cubic feet per day
- MMGAL—one million gallons
- MMGAL/D—one million gallons per day
- MMS—Minerals Management Service (US)
- MMST—one million short tons
- MODFLOW—model of groundwater flow
- MOU—Memorandum of Understanding
- MOX—mixed oxide fuel (nuclear)
- MPG—Miles per gallon
- MRO—Midwest Reliability Organization (US)
- MSA—metropolitan statistical area
- MSHA—Mine Safety and Health Administration (US)
- msl—Mean sea level
- MSW—Municipal solid waste
- Mt—one million tons (ambiguous as to whether short tons or metric tons)
- —one Metric ton
- MTBE—methyl tertiary butyl ether
- MTEF—Medium Term Expenditure Framework
- MTEP—Midwest ISO Transmission Expansion Plan 2005 (US)
- Mtoe—One million tons of oil equivalent(EU)
- Muni—Municipality
- MVA—Megavolt amperes (one million volt amperes)
- MW—Megawatt (one million watts)
- MWE—megawatt electric
- MWh—Megawatt hour (one million watt hours)
- N2O—nitrous oxide
- NAAQS—National Ambient Air Quality Standards (US)
- NAESB—North American Energy Standards Board (formerly GISB)
- NAFTA—North American Free Trade Agreement
- NAICS—North American Industry Classification System
- NAP—National Renewable Energy Action Plan
- NARUC—National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (US) [1]
- NAS—United States National Academy of Sciences
- NASPI—North American Synchrophasor Initiative
- NASUCA—National Association of Utility Consumer Advocates(US)
- NATC—Non Recallable Available Transfer Capability
- NBS—National Bureau of Standards (US)
- NCD—Non coincidental Demand
- NCEP—National Council on Electricity Policy (US) [2]
- NCSL—National Conference of State Legislatures (US)
- NEA—The National Energy Act of 1978 (US)
- NEB—National Energy Board (Canada)
- NEDRI—New England Distributed Resources Initiative (US)
- NEPA—National Environmental Policy Act (US)
- NEPOOL—New England Power Pool
- NERC—North American Electric Reliability Council
- NGA—Natural Gas Act (US)
- NGAA—Natural Gasoline Association of America (US)
- NGL—natural gas liquids
- NGPA—Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (US)
- NGPL—Natural gas plant liquids
- NGPSA—Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (US)
- NGSA—Natural Gas Supply Association (US)
- NGV—Natural gas vehicle
- NHPA—National Historic Preservation Act (US)
- NIETC—National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (US)
- NITC—Normal Incremental Transfer Capability
- NIMBY—Not in my backyard regarding siting of energy generation and transmission infrastructure.
- NOAA—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US)
- NOC—National Oil Company
- NOI—Notice of Intent or Notice of Inquiry or Notice of Investigation
- NOPR—Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (US)
- NORDEL—association of Nordic electric system operators, comprising Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
- NOx—nitrogen oxides
- NPCC—Northeast Power Coordinating Council (US)
- NPV—Net Present Value
- NRC—Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US)
- NRCS—National Resource Conservation Service (US)
- NRECA—National Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (US)
- NREPA—National Resource and Environmental Protection Act (US)
- NRI—National Rivers Inventory (US)
- NRIS—Network Resource Interconnection Service (electricity)
- NSA—Noise sensitive area
- NTAC—Northwest Transmission Assessment Committee (US)
- NUG—Non Utility Generator
- NURE—national uranium resource evaluation (US)
- NYDER—New York Department of Environmental Resources
- NYISO—New York Independent System Operator, Inc. (US)
- NYMEX—New York Mercantile Exchange
- NYPSC—New York Public Service Commission
- NYSERDA—New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
- O&M—Operation and Maintenance Expenses
- O3—Ozone
- OASIS—Open Access Same-Time Information System
- OATT—Open Access Transmission Tariff (US)
- OCS—Outer Continental Shelf (oil)
- OCSLA—Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (oil)
- OECD—Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- OEM—original equipment manufacturers
- OFO—Operational Flow Order
- OMP—Operation and Maintenance Plan
- Ontario—IESO Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (Canada)
- OPEC—Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (oil)
- OPRG—oxygenated fuels program reformulated gasoline (oil)
- ORNL—Oak Ridge National Laboratory (U.S.) (nuclear)
- OSHA—U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- OTAG—Ozone Transport Assessment Group
- OTDF—Outage Transfer Distribution Factor
- OTEC—ocean thermal energy conversion (electricity)
- PA—Planning Authority
- PADD—Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (US)
- PBR
- —pebble bed reactor (nuclear)
- —performance based rates (electricity)
- —Performance-based regulation
- PCB—polychlorinated biphenyl
- PCM—Project Cycle Management
- PCT—Programmable Communicating Thermostat (electricity)
- PD—Preliminary Determination
- PDC—Phasor data concentrator. See description in phasor measurement unit article. (electricity)
- PDCI—Pacific Direct Current Intertie (US) (electricity)
- PEM—Proton Exchange Membrane
- PFC—perfluorocarbons
- PG&E—Pacific Gas & Electric (US) (electricity)
- PGA—Purchased gas adjustment
- PHA—Production Handling Agreement
- PHFFU—Plant held for future use
- PIDX—Petroleum Industry Data Exchange (oil)
- PIER—Public Interest Energy Research (CEC)
- PIFUA—Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978
- PJM—PJM Interconnection, LLC, a regional transmission organization. (US) (electricity)
- PLC—Power line communication (electricity)
- PLMA—Peak Load Management Association (US) (electricity)
- PM—Particulate matter
- PM&E—Protection, mitigation and enhancement
- PMA—Power Marketing Administration or Fed. Power Marketing Agency (US) (electricity)
- PMU—Phasor measurement unit (electricity)
- PNNL—Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (DOE) (US)
- POD—Point of Delivery
- PoE—Power over Ethernet
- POLES—Prospective On Long Term Energy Systems
- POLR—Provider of last resort (electricity)
- PPA—Power Purchase Agreement (electricity)
- PPI—producer price index
- ppmv—Parts Per Million by Volume
- ppp—Purchasing power parity
- PPR—Potential peak reduction
- PREP—Pacific Regional Energy Programme
- PRESSEA—Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources in South East Asia (PRESSEA)
- Prim—Primary (electricity) nuclear, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar
- PSC—Public Service Commission
- PSD—Prevention of Significant Deterioration
- PSE—Puget Sound Energy (US) (electricity)
- PTDF—Power Transfer Distribution Factor (electricity)
- PTP—Point to Point Transmission Service (electricity)
- PUC—Public Utility Commission (electricity)
- PUD—Public Utility District (electricity)
- PUHCA—Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (US) (electricity)
- PURPA—Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (US) (electricity)
- PV—photovoltaic (solar)
- PVC—photovoltaic cell (solar)
- PVC—polyvinyl chloride
- PWR—pressurized water reactor (nuclear)
- PX—Power exchange
- QF—qualifying facility
- QSE—Qualifying scheduling entity
- QUAD—1015 Btu (a quadrillion in the short scale)
- R/P—Reserve on Production
- RAB—Regional Advisory Body (US)
- RAC—Refiners' acquisition cost
- RAP—Regulatory Assistance Project
- RAR—Reasonable assured resources
- RAS—Remedial Action Scheme
- RATC—Recallable Available Transmission Capability
- RBMK—Russian: Реактор Большой Мощности Канальный = "High Power Channel Type Reactor" (RU)
- RBOB—reformulated gasoline blendstock for oxygenate blending
- RC—Reliability Coordinator
- RCIS—Reliability Coordinator Information System
- RCRA—Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (US)
- RDF—refuse derived fuel (electricity)
- REA—Rural Electrification Administration (US)
- RECS—Residential Energy Consumption Survey (US)
- REEEP—Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership
- RER—Renewable Energy Rider
- RES—Renewable energy source
- RET/EE—IAF Renewable Energy Technology & Energy Efficiency Investment Advisory Facility
- RF—Radio frequency
- RFA—Regulatory Flexibility Act (US)
- RFC—ReliabilityFirst Corporation (US) (electricity)
- RFG—reformulated gasoline (oil)
- RFI—Request for Interchange
- RFP—Request for proposals
- RGGI—Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
- RGS—Renewable Generating System
- RM—Rulemaking
- RMATS—Rocky Mountain Area Transmission Study (US) (electricity)
- RMR—Reliability Must Run (electricity)
- RMU—Removal Units
- ROA—Return of Assets (finance)
- ROE—Return of Equity (finance)
- ROFR—Right of First Refusal (finance)
- ROI—Return on Investment
- ROW—Right of Way
- RPM—Reliability Pricing Model. See explanation in electricity market#Electricity market experience. (electricity)
- RRO—Regional reliability organization (US)
- RSE—Revenue Stream Estimate (finance)
- RSE—relative standard error
- RTBM—Real-Time Balancing Market (electricity)
- RTEP—Regional transmission expansion plan
- RTG—Regional Transmission Group (US)
- RTO—Regional transmission organization (US)
- RTP—Real time Pricing
- RTU—Remote Terminal Unit
- RUS—Rural Utilities Service
- RVP—Reid vapor pressure
- SCADA—Supervisory control and data acquisition a remote control and telemetry system used to monitor and control the electrical system
- SCE—Southern California Edison (US)
- scf—Standard cubic foot
- SCO—Stranded Cost Obligation (finance)
- SCR—Special Case Resources (US- NYISO category)
- SCR—Selective Catalytic Reduction
- SDG&E—San Diego Gas & Electric (US)
- SEA—Strategic Environmental Assessment
- SEC—Securities and Exchange Commission (US)
- SEER—seasonal energy efficiency ratio
- SEFI—Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative
- SEIA—Sustainable Energy Industry Association
- SERC—Southeastern Electric Reliability Council (US)
- SF6—sulfur hexafluoride
- SFC—Solid oxide fuel cell (transportation)
- SFEIS—Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (US)
- SFV—Straight Fixed Variable
- SGR—State game refuge (US)
- SHPO—State Historic Preservation Office (US)
- SI—International System of Units (Système international d'unités)
- SIC—Standard Industrial Classification
- SMPs—Special Marketing Programs
- SNG—Synthetic Natural Gas or Substitute Natural Gas
- SO2—Sulfur dioxide
- SOL—System Operating Limit
- SPCC—Spill Prevention, Containment and Countermeasure Plan
- SPM—Synchronized phasor measurement- a WAMS network with synchrophasor sensors (PMUs). (electricity)
- SPP—Southwest Power Pool Inc., a regional transmission organization (US)
- —Statewide Pricing Pilot (US-California)
- —Small power producer (electricity)
- SPR—Strategic Petroleum Reserve (US)
- SPS—Special Protection System
- SR—Speculative resources For example, regarding uranium deposits. (nuclear)
- SRP—Salt River Agricultural Improvement & Power District (US) (electricity)
- SSG—WI PWG Seams Steering Group of Western Interconnection PlanningWork Group (US) (electricity)
- SSM—Synchronized system measurement-a WAMS with synchronous sensors in addition to PMUs. See Phasor networks.
- STEP—Southwest Transmission Expansion Plan group (US) (electricity)
- SVC—Static VAR compensator (electricity)
- SWAT—Southwest Area Transmission (US) (electricity)
- SWU—Separative work unit
- TAME—Tertiary amyl methyl ether
- TAPS—Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (natural gas)
- TBA—tertiary butyl alcohol
- TBL—Transmission business line (electricity)
- TBS—Town border station
- Tcf—Trillion cubic feet (measurement)
- TCR—Transition Cost Recovery (Mechanism)
- TDU—Transmission Dependent Utility (electricity)
- TEFRA—Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1985
- TEN—Trans-European Networks (electricity)
- TLR—Procedures Transmission Line Loading Relief Procedures (electricity)
- TO—Transmission owner (electricity)
- toe—Ton of oil equivalent (EU)
- TOP—Transmission Operator (electricity)
- TOU—Time of use (rate) (electricity)
- Transco—Transmission Company (US) (electricity)
- —Transcontinental Pipeline (US) (natural gas)
- —National Transmission Corporation (Philippines)
- TRM—Transmission Reliability Margin (electricity)
- TSO—Transmission System Operator) (electricity)
- TSR—Transmission Service Request (electricity)
- TTC—Total Transfer Capability (electricity)
- TVA—Tennessee Valley Authority (US) (electricity)
- TW—terawatt (one trillion watts) (measurement)
- TWH—terawatt-hour (one trillion watt hours)
- T&D—Transmission & Distribution
- U.S.C.—United States Code
- U3O8—triuranium octaoxide (nuclear)
- UAE—United Arab Emirates (oil)
- UCAP—Unforced Capacity (electricity)
- UCTE—Union for the Coordination of the Transport of Electricity, the power transmission system of continental Europe
- UF6—uranium hexaflouride (nuclear)
- UFLS—Under frequency load shedding (electricity)
- UHVAC—Ultra High Voltage Alternating Current (electricity)
- UHVDC—Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (electricity)
- ULCC—Ultra Large Crude Carrier (oil)
- UMTRA—Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (US)
- UNCCD—United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
- UNDESA—UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
- UNDP—United Nations Development Programme
- UNDP—United Nations Development Programme
- UNECE—United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
- UNEP—United Nations Environment Programme
- UNFCCC—United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- UO2—uranium dioxide (nuclear)
- UO3—uranium trioxide (nuclear)
- UO4—uranyl peroxide (nuclear)
- UOX—uranium oxide (nuclear)
- URR—Ultimate Recoverable Resources
- USBR—United States Bureau of Reclamation
- USCE—United States Army Corps of Engineers
- US DOE—United States Department of Energy
- USGS—United States Geological Survey
- UVLS—Under voltage load shedding (electricity)
- V—Volt (measurement)
- VA—Volt-ampere (measurement)
- var—Volt-ampere reactive (measurement)
- VAWT—vertical axis wind turbine (wind)
- VIN—vehicle identification number (US) (transportation)
- VLCC—very large crude carrier (oil)
- VMT—vehicle miles traveled (transportation)
- VOC—volatile organic compound
- VPP—Variable peak pricing (electricity)
- VSA—Voltage stability analysis
- W—Watt
- WACOG—weighted average cost of gas
- WAMS—Wide area measurement system- see description in phasor measurement unit article. (electricity)
- WCMC—World Conservation Monitoring Centre
- WCRE—World Commission on Renewable Energy
- WEA—World Energy Assessment
- WEC—World Energy Council
- WECC—Western Electricity Coordinating Council (US)
- WEEA—World Energy Efficiency Organization
- WH—watthour (measurement)
- WHO—World Health Organisation
- WIRAB—Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (US)
- WRI—World Resources Institute
- WSCC—Western Systems Coordinating Council (US)
- WSPP—Western Systems Power Pool (US)
- WSSD—World Summit on Sustainable Development
- WTG—Wind turbine generator (wind)
- WTI—West Texas Intermediate (US)
- WTP—Willingness to pay
- WY—Water Year (measurement)
[CODE]- AFUE—annual fuel utilization efficiency
- BTL—building tightness limit (building tightness)
- CDH—cooling degree hours (climate)
- CFL—compact fluorescent light
- COP—coefficient of performance
- CRI—color rendering index
- EEM—Energy Efficient Mortgage
- EER—energy efficiency ratio
- EF—energy factor (clothes washers)
- EIM—Energy Improvement Mortgage
- ERV—energy-recovery ventilator
- HDD—heating degree day
- HHI—home heating index
- HID—high-intensity discharge
- HRV—heat-recovery ventilator
- HSPF—heating seasonal performance factor
- HVI—Home Ventilating Institute
- IECC—International Energy Conservation Code
- K-value—thermal conductance
- Low-e—low emissivity
- LEED—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, standard for Green Building design
- MEF—modified energy factor (clothes washers)
- MINHERS—Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards
- MVG—minimum ventilation guideline (building tightness)
- MVL—minimum ventilation level (building tightness)
- NAECA—National Appliance Energy Conservation Act
- ODS—oxygen depletion sensor
- RESNET—Residential energy services network
- R-value—thermal resistance
- SC—shading coefficient (windows)
- SEER—seasonal E efficiency ratio
- SHGC—solar heat gain coefficient
- SIR—savings-to-investment ratio (energy conservation investments)
- SLA—Specific leakage area
- SPB—Simple Payback (energy conservation investments)
- SSE—steady-state efficiency
- U-value—thermal transmittance (also called U-factor)
- WF—water factor (clothes washers)
Last edited by Sunking; 10-25-2016, 02:30 PM.MSEE, PEComment
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OK jflorey what is stopping you or anyone else from doing it. Do you just like to complain? Put up or shut up. No one is going to do it for you. It would take me all of 5 seconds to do it right, what is above is 2 seconds worth of work. So if someone wants it done, why the hell are they asking? Just fricking do it and quit whining about it. .
Bottom line is no one will use it. They will still ask the same questions over and over again. Heck if that worked, no one should ever ask a question about batteries or off-grid systems. Everything they want to know is right there in Stickies.Last edited by Sunking; 10-27-2016, 11:10 AM.MSEE, PEComment
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OK jflorey what is stopping you or anyone else from doing it. Do you just like to complain? Put up or shut up. No one is going to do it for you. It would take me all of 5 seconds to do it right, what is above is 2 seconds worth of work. So if someone wants it done, why the hell are they asking? Just fricking do it and quit whining about it. .
Bottom line is no one will use it. They will still ask the same questions over and over again. Heck if that worked, no one should ever ask a question about batteries or off-grid systems. Everything they want to know is right there in Stickies.
Maybe posters don't utilize stickies, at least partly, because we all enable them by usually ignoring the stickies ourselves in ways that may be less than efficient and /or helpful for everyone.
Of course, that would probably not help produce revenue for the forum owners when potential posters get turned/pissed off by not being spoon fed, and, not wanting to induce what they see as B.S. unpleasantness, don't post at all, with the result that traffic drops off when/as the regulars (such as you/me/others) are seen more as a bunch of condescending, arrogant blowhards than they already are (seen as).
Pardon the grammar.Comment
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I think it's easier, and a lot faster, to open up another browser window and google a term than it is to navigate to another thread, forum page or whatever and look for a definition. Plus if we have something like that, someone has to keep it updated.Comment
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My whole point is what is anyone complaining about. There is nothing stopping anyone from making the list.. Quit complaining and just do it. That is what leaders do. Followers complain.
But if you do be prepared to do the work. So what if if you define MPPT = Maximum Power Point Tracking, or PWM = Pulse Width Modulation. They still do not know what it means and why one is better than the other. Like STC, PTC, CEC are similar terms, but are different and not interchangeable.
So here is another example. Took 5 seconds to compile.
Code:[COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]absorbers[/B]--Dark-colored objects that soak up heat in thermal solar collectors.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]active solar heater[/B]--A solar water or space-heating system that moves heated air or water using pumps or fans.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]AGM[/B] -- Absorbed Glass Mat, a newer type of battery construction that uses saturated absorbent glass mats rather than gelled or liquid electrolyte. Somewhat more expensive than flooded (liquid), but offers very good reliability.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]alternating current[/B]--Electric current in which the direction of flow is reversed at frequent intervals--usually 100 or 120 times per second (50 or 60 cycles per second or 50//60 Hz).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]amorphous semiconductor[/B]--A non-crystalline semiconductor material. Easier and cheaper to make than crystalline, but less efficient and slowly degrades over time. Also called thin film.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]ampere (A) or amp[/B]--The unit for the electric current; the flow of electrons. One amp is 1 coulomb passing in one second. One amp is produced by an electric force of 1 volt acting across a resistance of 1 ohm.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]ampere-hour (AH)[/B]--Quantity of electricity or measure of charge. How many amps flow or can be provided over a one hour period. Most batteries are rated in AH.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]angle of incidence[/B]--Angle between the normal to a surface and the direction of incident radiation; applies to the aperture plane of a solar collector. Most modern solar panels have only minor reductions in power output within plus/minus 15 degrees. The loss is a function of the cosine, so at 45 degree angle, output drops off by about 30%.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]antireflection coating[/B]--A thin coating of a material, which reduces the light reflection and increases light transmission, applied to a photovoltaic cell surface.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]array[/B]--Any number of photovoltaic modules connected together to provide a single electrical output. Arrays are often designed to produce significant amounts of electricity.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]autonomous system[/B]--A stand-alone PV system that has no back-up generating source. May or may not include storage batteries. Most battery systems are designed for a certain minimum "days of autonomy" - which means that the batteries can supply sufficient power with no sunlight to charge the batteries. This varies from 3-5 days in the sunbelt, to 5 to 10 days elsewhere.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]AWG[/B] -- American Wire Gauge, a standard system for designating the size of electrical wire. The higher the number, the smaller the wire. Most house wiring is #12 or 14. In most other countries, wire is specified by the size in millimeters.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]azimuth[/B]--Angle between the north direction and the projection of the surface normal into the horizontal plane; measured clockwise from north. As applied to the PV array, 180 degree azimuth means the array faces due south.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-B-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]balance of system[/B] (BOS)--Represents all components and costs other than the PV modules. It includes design costs, land, site preparation, system installation, support structures, power conditioning, operation and maintenance costs, batteries, indirect storage, and related costs.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]baseline performance value[/B]--Initial values of Isc, Voc, Pmp, Imp measured by the accredited laboratory and corrected to Standard Test Conditions, used to validate the manufacturer's performance measurements provided with the qualification modules per IEEE 1262.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]blocking diode[/B]--A diode used to restrict or block reverse current from flowing backward through a module. [UL 1703] Alternatively, diode connected in series to a PV string; it protects its modules from a reverse power flow and, thus, against the risk of thermal destruction of solar cells.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]British thermal unit (BTU)[/B]--The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water from 60 degrees F to 61 degrees F at one atmosphere pressure.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]bypass diode[/B]--A diode connected across one or more solar cells in a photovoltaic module such that the diode will conduct if the cell(s) become reverse biased. [UL 1703] Alternatively, diode connected anti-parallel across a part of the solar cells of a PV module. It protects these solar cells from thermal destruction in case of total or partial shading, broken cells, or cell string failures of individual solar cells while other cells are exposed to full light.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-C-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]cathodic protection[/B]--A method of preventing oxidation (rusting) of exposed metal structures, such as bridges and pipelines, by imposing between the structure and the ground a small electrical voltage that opposes the flow of electrons and that is greater than the voltage present during oxidation.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]cell[/B]--The basic unit of a photovoltaic panel or battery[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]cell barrier[/B]--A very thin region of static electric charge along the interface of the positive and negative layers in a photovoltaic cell. The barrier inhibits the movement of electrons from one layer to the other, so that higher-energy electrons from one side diffuse preferentially through it in one direction, creating a current and thus a voltage across the cell. Also called depletion zone, cell junction, or space charge.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]cell junction[/B]--The area of immediate contact between two layers (positive and negative) of a photovoltaic cell. The junction lies at the center of the cell barrier or depletion zone.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]charge controller[/B]--An electronic device which regulates the voltage applied to the battery system from the PV array. Essential for ensuring that batteries obtain maximum state of charge and longest life.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]combined collector[/B]--A photovoltaic device or module that provides useful heat energy in addition to electricity.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]concentrator[/B]--A PV module that uses optical elements to increase the amount of sunlight incident on a PV cell. Concentrating arrays must track the sun and use only the direct sunlight because the diffuse portion cannot be focused onto the PV cells. Efficiency is increased, but lifespan is usually decreased due to the high heat.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]concentrator[/B] (module, array, or collector)--An arrangement of photovoltaic cells that includes a lens to concentrate sunlight onto small-area cells. Concentrators can increase the power flux of sunlight hundreds of times.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]conversion efficiency[/B] (cell or module)--The ratio of the electric energy produced by a photovoltaic device (under one-sun conditions) to the energy from sunlight incident upon the cell.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]current at maximum power[/B] (Imp)--The current at which maximum power is available from a module. [UL 1703][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]cycle life[/B]--Number of discharge-charge cycles that a battery can tolerate under specified conditions before it fails to meet specified criteria as to performance (e.g., capacity decreases to 80-percent of the nominal capacity).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-D-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]dc to dc converter[/B]--Electronic circuit to convert dc voltages (e.g., PV module voltage) into other levels (e.g., load voltage). Can be part of a maximum power point tracker (MPPT).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]deep discharge[/B]--Discharging a battery to 20-percent or less of its full charge.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]diffuse insolation[/B]--Sunlight received indirectly as a result of scattering due to clouds, fog, haze, dust, or other obstructions in the atmosphere. Opposite of direct insolation.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]direct current[/B](dc)--Electric current in which electrons flow in one direction only. Opposite of alternating current.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]direct insolation[/B]--Sunlight falling directly upon a collector. Opposite of diffuse insolation.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]discharge rate[/B]--The rate, usually expressed in amperes or time, at which electrical current is taken from the battery.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]distributed systems[/B]--Systems that are installed at or near the location where the electricity is used, as opposed to central systems that supply electricity to grids. A residential photovoltaic system is a distributed system.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]DOD[/B]--'Depth of Discharge,' from 100-percent state of charge (SOC), in a battery or battery system.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]-E-[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]electric circuit[/B]--Path followed by electrons from a power source (generator or battery) through an external line (including devices that use the electricity) and returning through another line to the source.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]electric current[/B]--A flow of electrons; electricity, amps.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]electrical grid[/B]--An integrated system of electricity distribution, usually covering a large area. As in "off the grid".[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]electrolyte[/B]--A liquid conductor of electricity. In batteries, usually H2SO4, sulfuric acid, but may be any number of things. Seawater is the most common electrolyte in the world - and by suspending a zinc and a steel sheet in it, you can get a little electricity.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]energy[/B]--The ability to do work. Stored energy becomes working energy when we use it.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]energy density[/B]--The ratio of energy available from a battery to its volume (Wh/1) or mass (Wh/kg). "watts to weight" ratio.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]energy payback time[/B]--The time required for any energy producing system or device to produce as much energy as was required in its manufacture. For solar electric panels, this is about 16-20 months.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]EVA[/B]--(ETHYLENE VINYL ACETATE) An encapsulant used between the glass cover and the solar cells in PV modules. It is durable, transparent, resistant to corrosion, and flame retardant.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]-F-[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]flat-plate PV[/B]--Refers to a PV array or module that consists of nonconcentrating elements. Flat-plate arrays and modules use direct and diffuse sunlight, but if the array is fixed in position, some portion of the direct sunlight is lost because of oblique sun-angles in relation to the array.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]float charge[/B]--Float charge is the voltage required to counteract the self-discharge of the battery at a certain temperature.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]float life[/B]--Number of years that a battery can keep its stated capacity when it is kept at float charge (see float charge).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]fuel cell[/B]--A device that converts the energy of a fuel directly to electricity and heat, without combustion. Because there is no combustion, fuel cells give off few emissions; because there are no moving parts, fuel cells are quiet.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]-G-[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]gel-type battery[/B]--Lead-acid battery in which the electrolyte is composed of a silica gel matrix.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]grid-connected (PV system)[/B]--A PV system in which the PV array acts like a central generating plant, supplying power to the grid.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]ground loop[/B]--An undesirable feedback condition caused by two or more circuits sharing a common electrical line, usually a grounded conductor.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]-H-[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]hot spot--[/B]An undesirable phenomenon of PV device operation whereby one or more cells within a PV module or array act as a resistive load, resulting in local overheating or melting of the cell(s).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]hybrid system[/B]--A PV system that includes other sources of electricity generation, such as wind or fossil fuel generators.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]-I-[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]incident light[/B]--Light that shines onto the face of a solar cell or module.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]insolation[/B]--Sunlight, direct or diffuse; from 'incident solar radiation.' Not to be confused with 'insulation.' Equal to about 1000 watts per square meter at high noon in Dodge City.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]interconnect[/B]--A conductor within a module or other means of connection which provides an electrical interconnection between the solar cells. [UL 1703][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]inverters[/B]--Devices that convert dc electricity into ac electricity (single or multiphase), either for stand-alone systems (not connected to the grid) or for utility-interactive systems.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]I-V curve[/B]--A graphical presentation of the current versus the voltage from a photovoltaic device as the load is increased from the short circuit (no load) condition to the open circuit (maximum voltage) condition. The shape of the curve characterized cell performance.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]I-V data[/B]--The relationship between current and voltage of a photovoltaic device in the power-producing quadrant, as a set of ordered pairs of current and voltage readings in a table, or as a curve plotted in a suitable coordinate system (i.e., Cartesian). [ASTM E 1036][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-J-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]junction box[/B]--A PV generator junction box is an enclosure on the module where PV strings are electrically connected and where protection devices can be located, if necessary.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]junction diode[/B]--A semiconductor device with a junction and a built-in potential that passes current better in one direction than the other. All solar cells are junction diodes.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]-K-[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]kilowatt[/B] (kW)--1000 watts.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]kilowatt-hour[/B] (kWh)--One thousand watts acting over a period of 1 hour. The kWh is a unit of energy. 1 kWh=3600 kJ.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-L-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]light-induced defects[/B]--Defects, such as dangling bonds, induced in an amorphous silicon semiconductor upon initial exposure to light.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]light trapping[/B]--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 of absorption and hence of producing charge carriers.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]line-commutated inverter[/B]--An inverter that is tied to a power grid or line. The commutation of power (conversion from dc to ac) is controlled by the power line, so that, if there is a failure in the power grid, the PV system cannot feed power into the line.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]load[/B]--Anything in an electrical circuit that, when the circuit is turned on, draws power from that circuit.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-M-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]maximum power point[/B] (MPP)--The point on the current-voltage (I-V) curve of a module under illumination, where the product of current and voltage is maximum. [UL 1703] For a typical silicon cell panel, this is about 17 volts for a 36 cell configuration.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]maximum power point tracker[/B] (MPPT)--A power conditioning unit that automatically operates the PV-generator at its maximum power point under all conditions. An MPPT will typically increase power delivered to the system by 10% to 40%, depending on climate conditions and battery state of charge. You usually get more gain in winter and in colder weather due to the higher panel output.Most MPPT controllers are down converters - from a higher voltage to a lower one.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]microgroove[/B]--A small groove scribed into the surface of a cell which is filled with metal for contacts.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]module[/B]--A number of PV cells connected together, sealed with an encapsulant, and having a standard size and output power; the smallest building block of the power generating part of a PV array. Also called panel.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]monolithic[/B]--Fabricated as a single structure.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]multicrystalline[/B]--Material that is solidified at such as rate that many small crystals (crystallites) form. The atoms within a single crystallite are symmetrically arranged, whereas crystallites are jumbled together. These numerous grain boundaries reduce the device efficiency. A material composed of variously oriented, small individual crystals. (Sometimes referred to as [B]polycrystalline[/B] or semicrystalline).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]multijunction device[/B]--A photovoltaic device containing two or more cell junctions, each of which is optimized for a particular part of the solar spectrum, to achieve greater overall efficiency.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-N-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]n-type semiconductor[/B]--A semiconductor produced by doping an intrinsic semiconductor with an electron-donor impurity (e.g., phosphorous in silicon).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]NOCT[/B]--Nominal Operating Cell Temperature. The solar cell temperature at a reference environment defined as 800 W/m2 irradiance, 20°C ambient air temperature, and 1 m/s wind speed with the cell or module in an electrically open circuit state.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-O-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]ohm[/B]--The unit of resistance to the flow of an electric current.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]one-axis tracking[/B]--A system capable of rotating about one axis, usually following the sun from East to West.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]open-circuit voltage[/B] (Voc)--The maximum possible voltage across a photovoltaic cell or module; the voltage across the cell in sunlight when no current is flowing.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-P-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]parallel connection[/B]--A way of joining two or more electricity-producing devices (i.e., PV cells or modules) by connecting positive leads together and negative leads together; such a configuration increases the current.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]passive solar home[/B]--A house that uses a room or another part of the building as a solar collector, as opposed to active solar, such as PV.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]peak load; peak demand[/B]--The maximum load, or usage, of electrical power occurring in a given period of time, typically a day.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]peak watts[/B] (Wp)--See 'Photovoltaic peak watt.'[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photon[/B]--A particle of light that acts as an individual unit of energy.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic[/B] (PV)--Pertaining to the direct conversion of light into electricity.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) array[/B]--An interconnected system of PV modules that function as a single electricity-producing unit. The modules are assembled as a discrete structure, with common support or mounting. In smaller systems, an array can consist of a single module.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) cell[/B]--The smallest semiconductor element within a PV module to perform the immediate conversion of light into electrical energy (dc voltage and current).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) conversion efficiency[/B]--The ratio of the electric power produced by a photovoltaic device to the power of the sunlight incident on the device.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) efficiency[/B]--The ratio of electric power produced by a cell at any instant to the power of the sunlight striking the cell. This is typically about 9% to 14% for commercially available cells.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) generator[/B]--The total of all PV strings of a PV power supply system, which are electrically interconnected.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) module[/B]--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 generate DC power under unconcentrated sunlight. The structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer (superstrate) or the back layer (substrate). [UL 1703][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) panel[/B]--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 used to achieve a required voltage and current).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) peak watt[/B]--Maximum "rated" output of a cell, module, or system. Typical rating conditions are 0.645 watts per square inch (1000 watts per square meter) of sunlight, 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) ambient air temperature and 6.2 x 10-3 mi/s (1 m/s) wind speed.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic (PV) system[/B]--A complete set of components for converting sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic process, including the array and balance of system components.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]photovoltaic-thermal[/B] (PV/T) system--A photovoltaic system that, in addition to converting sunlight into electricity, collects the residual heat energy and delivers both heat and electricity in usable form. Also called a total energy system.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]polycrystalline[/B]--See 'Multicrystalline.'[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]power conditioning equipment[/B]--Electrical equipment, or power electronics, used to convert power from a photovoltaic array into a form suitable for subsequent use. A collective term for inverter, converter, battery charge regulator, and blocking diode.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]power factor[/B]--The ratio of the average power and the apparent volt-amperes. Affected by the inductance and capacitance of the load. A pure resistance, such as an electric heater would have a power factor of 1.00.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]pulse-width-modulated[/B] (PWM) - A function of many of the newer charge controllers and battery chargers which instead of applying a steady DC voltage to the battery, sends out short pulses. The width of the pulses varies with the battery state of charge.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]PV[/B]--Abbreviation for photovoltaic(s).[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]pyronometer[/B]--An instrument for measuring total hemispherical solar irradiance on a flat surface, or "global" irradiance; thermopile sensors have been generally identified as pyranometers,however, silicon sensors are also referred to as pyranometers.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-Q-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]qualification test (PV)[/B]--A procedure applied to a selected set of PV modules involving the application of defined electrical, mechanical, or thermal stress in a prescribed manner and amount. Test results are subject to a list of defined requirements.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-R-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]rectifier[/B]--A device that converts ac to dc, as in a battery charger or converter. See inverter and diode.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]remote systems[/B]--Systems off of the utility grid. Out in the boondocks.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]resistive voltage drop[/B]--The voltage developed across a cell by the current flow through the resistance of the cell.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]reverse bias[/B]--Condition where the current producing capability of a PV cell is significantly less than that of other cells in its series string. This can occur when a cell is shaded, cracked, or otherwise degraded or when it is electrically poorly matched with other cells in its string.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-S-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]Schottky barrier[/B]--A cell barrier established as the interface between a semiconductor, such as silicon, and a sheet of metal.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]Schottky diode[/B]- a special diode with a very low voltage drop, usually in the .15 to .25 volt range. Often used as blocking diodes in solar panels and arrays to minimize power loss. A normal silicon diode drops at least .7 volts.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]self discharge[/B]--The rate at which a battery, without a load, will lose its charge. This can vary considerably depending on the type of battery and age. It can be as low as 3% a month for a new AGM battery, and as high as 10% a week for an older Lead-Antimony (industrial) battery.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]semiconductor[/B]--Any material that has a limited capacity for conducting an electric current. Generally falls between a metal and an insulator in conductivity. Certain semiconductors, including silicon, gallium arsenide, copper indium diselenide, and cadmium telluride, are uniquely suited to the photovoltaic conversion process.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]semicrystalline[/B]--See 'Multicrystalline.'[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]series connection[/B]--A way of joining photovoltaic cells or batteries by connecting positive leads to negative leads; such a configuration increases the voltage.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]series regulator[/B]--Type of battery charge regulator where the charging current is controlled by a switch, transistor, or FET connected in series with the PV module or array. As opposed to a shunt regulator, which gradually shorts out the panel output as the battery gets charged up.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]series resistance[/B]--Parasitic resistance to current flow in a cell due to mechanisms such as resistance from the bulk of the semiconductor material, metallic contacts, and interconnections.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]shelf life of batteries[/B]--The length of time, under specified conditions, that a battery can be stored so that it keeps its guaranteed capacity.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]short-circuit current[/B] (Isc)--The current flowing freely from a photovoltaic cell through an external circuit that has no load or resistance; the maximum current possible.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]shunt regulator[/B]--Type of a battery charge regulator where the charging current is controlled by a switch or transistor connected in parallel with the PV panel. Overcharging of the battery is prevented by shorting the PV output. Shunt regulators are common in PV systems as they are relatively cheap to build and simple to design. Series regulators usually have better control and charge characteristics. Most newer controllers have gone to series regulation.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]silicon[/B] (Si)--A chemical element, atomic number 14, semi-metallic in nature, dark gray, an excellent semiconductor material. A common constituent of sand and quartz (as the oxide). Crystallizes in face-centered cubic lattice like a diamond. The most common semiconductor material used in making photovoltaic devices.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]sine wave inverter[/B]--An inverter that produces utility-quality, sine wave power forms.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]single-crystal material[/B]--A material that is composed of a single crystal or a few large crystals.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]solar cell[/B]--See 'Photovoltaic cell.'[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]solar constant[/B]--The strength of sunlight; 1353 watts per square meter in space and about 1000 watts per square meter at sea level at the equator at solar noon. It increases at higher altitudes.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]solar energy[/B]--Energy from the sun. The heat that builds up in your car when it is parked in the sun is an example of solar energy.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]solar-grade silicon[/B]--Intermediate-grade silicon used in the manufacture of solar cells. Less expensive than electronic-grade silicon.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]solar noon[/B]--That moment of the day that divides the daylight hours for that day exactly in half. To determine solar noon, calculate the length of the day from the time of sunset and sunrise and divide by two. Solar noon may be quite a bit different from 'clock' noon.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]solar spectrum[/B]--The total distribution of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the sun.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]solar thermal electric[/B]--Method of producing electricity from solar energy by using focused sunlight to heat a working fluid, which in turn drives a turbogenerator.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]split-spectrum cell[/B]--A compound photovoltaic device in which sunlight is first divided into spectral regions by optical means. Each region is then directed to a different photovoltaic cell optimized for converting that portion of the spectrum into electricity. Such a device achieves significantly greater overall conversion of incident sunlight into electricity. See 'mulitjunction device.'[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]square wave inverter[/B]--The inverter consists of a dc source, four switches, and the load. The switches are power semiconductors that can carry a large current and withstand a high voltage rating. The switches are turned on and off at a correct sequence, at a certain frequency. The square wave inverter is the simplest and the least expensive to purchase, but it produces the lowest quality of power.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]stand-alone (PV system)[/B]--An autonomous or hybrid photovoltaic system not connected to a grid. May or may not have storage, but most stand-alone systems require batteries or some other form of storage.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]stand-off mounting[/B]--Technique for mounting a PV array on a sloped roof, which involves mounting the modules a short distance above the pitched roof and tilting them to the optimum angle.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]standard test conditions (STC)[/B]--Conditions under which a module is typically tested in a laboratory: (1) Irradiance intensity of 1000 W/square meter (0.645 watts per square inch), AM1.5 solar reference spectrum, and (3) a cell (module) temperature of 25 degrees C, plus or minus 2 degrees C (77 degrees F, plus or minus 3.6 degrees F). [IEC 1215][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]state of charge (SOC)[/B]--The available capacity remaining in the battery, expressed as a percentage of the rated capacity.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]substrate[/B]--The physical material upon which a photovoltaic cell is made.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]sulfation[/B]--A condition that afflicts unused and discharged batteries; large crystals of lead sulfate grow on the plate, instead of the usual tiny crystals, making the battery extremely difficult to recharge.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]superstrate[/B]--The covering on the sun side of a PV module, providing protection for the PV materials from impact and environmental degradation while allowing maximum transmission of the appropriate wavelengths of the solar spectrum.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-T-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]thermal electric[/B]--Electric energy derived from heat energy, usually by heating a working fluid, which drives a turbogenerator. See 'solar thermal electric.'[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]thermophotovoltaic[/B] (TPV) device--A device that converts secondary thermal radiation, re-emitted by an absorber or heat source, into electricity; The device is designed for maximum efficiency at the wavelength of the secondary radiation.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]thick-crystalline materials[/B]--Semiconductor material, typically measuring from 200-400 microns thick, that is cut from ingots or ribbons.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]thin film[/B]--A layer of semiconductor material, such as copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, or amorphous silicon, a few microns or less in thickness, used to make photovoltaic cells. Commonly called amorphous.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]total internal reflection[/B]--The trapping of light by refraction and reflection at critical angles inside a semiconductor device so that it cannot escape the device and must eventually be absorbed by the semiconductor.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]tracking array[/B]--PV array that follows the path of the sun to maximize the solar radiation incident on the PV surface. The two most common orientations are (1) one axis where the array tracks the sun east to west and (2) two-axis tracking where the array points directly at the sun at all times. Tracking arrays use both the direct and diffuse sunlight. Two-axis tracking arrays capture the maximum possible daily energy. Typically, a single axis tracker will give you 15% to 25% more power per day, and dual axis tracking will add about 5% to that. Depends somewhat on latitude and season.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]transformer[/B]--Steps AC voltage up or down, depending on the application.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]trickle charge[/B]--A charge at a low rate, balancing through self-discharge losses, to maintain a cell or battery in a fully charged condition.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]two-axis tracking[/B]--A system capable of rotating independently about two axes (e.g., vertical and horizontal) and following the sun for maximum efficiency of the solar array.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-U-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]utility-interactive inverter[/B]--An inverter that can function only when tied to the utility grid, and uses the prevailing line-voltage frequency on the utility line as a control parameter to ensure that the PV system's output is fully synchronized with the utility power.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-V-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]VAC[/B]--Volts ac[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]VDC[/B]--Volts dc[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]Vmp[/B]--Voltage at maximum power[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]Voc[/B]--Open-circuit voltage[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]volt (V)[/B]--A unit of measure of the force, or 'push,' given the electrons in an electric circuit. One volt produces one ampere of current when acting a resistance of one ohm.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]voltage at maximum power (Vmp)[/B]--The voltage at which maximum power is available from a module. [UL 1703][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [B]-W-[/B] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]wafer[/B]--A thin sheet of semiconductor material made by mechanically sawing it from a single-crystal or multicrystal ingot or casting.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]watt (W)[/B]--The unit of electric power, or amount of work (J), done in a unit of time. One ampere of current flowing at a potential of one volt produces one watt of power.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]watt-hour (Wh)[/B]--See 'Kilowatt-hour.'[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Roboto][SIZE=14px][B]waveform[/B]--The shape of the curve graphically representing the change in the ac signal voltage and current amplitude, with respect to time.[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
Last edited by Sunking; 10-27-2016, 07:05 PM.MSEE, PEComment
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Hey all members , being new to this forum and new in solar business .Am of a suggestion that we create a section in the forum for Terms / words used in solar this came to my mind when I came across the term or short abbreviation PV= photovoltaic , which I didn't know ,and also I don't know if its against the forum board rules to post photos or pics as attachments to ones post b'se have tried it but in vain , making it difficult to give the exact question I have in mind...I will be happy if my request looked thru
Personally, I don't mind looking up a term to see what it means. But that assumes I know what term to look up. Unfortunately, there are often multiple "translations" for an acronym which greatly complicates matters. The link provided comes from the Naval Post Graduate School and is used by them as their Solar Power Glossary. My guess is that they will keep it fairly well updated.Comment
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