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Mr.Washington's PV Terms
PV Terms for Mr.Washington's Terminology test
25
Education
Professional
05/31/2009

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Term
Alternative Energy
Definition
Energy produced by alternative means like wind and solar.
Term
Amorphous Silicon
Definition
A type of PV cell manufactured without a crystallne structure.  Can be made in flexible sheets.  Not as efficient as crystallalline silicon.
Term
Array
Definition
A collection of electricity connected Photovoltaic modules.
Term
Array Current
Definition
The electrical current produced by a PV array when exposed to sunlight.
Term
BTU
Definition
British Thermal Unit- The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Term
Base Load
Definition
The average amount of electric power that a utility must supply.
Term
Cloud Enhancement
Definition
The increase in solar intensity caused by reflected irradiance from nearby clouds.
Term
Crystalline Silicon
Definition
A type of PV cell made from a single crystal or polycrystalline slice of silicon.
Term
Design Month
Definition
The month having the combination of insolation and load that requires the maximum energy from the array.
Term
Angle of Incidence
Definition
Angle at which a ray of light strikes a planar surface (module).
Term
Angle of Inclination
Definition
The desired angle that a PV array should be mounted.
Term
Direct Beam Radiation
Definition
Radiation received by direct solar rays.
Term
Down Time
Definition
Time when the PV system cannot provide for the load.  Expressed in hour per year or the percentage equivalent.
Term
Efficiency
Definition

The ratio of output power to input power, expressed as a percent.

Wattage X Efficiency (2500w input X .90% output = 2250w)

Term
Fixed Tilt Array
Definition
A PV array set at a fixed angle with respect to horizontal.
Term
Insolation
Definition
The solar radiation incident on an area over time.  Equivalent to energy and usually expressed in kilowatt hours per square meter.
Term
Irradiance
Definition
The solar power incident on a surface.  Usually expressed in kilowatts per square meter.
Term
Orientation
Definition
Placement with respect to the directions, N, S, E, W, in most cases azimuth is the measure of orientation from North but in PV it is measured from Solar South.
Term
Peak Sun Hours (PSH)
Definition
The equivalent of number of hours per day when solar irradiance averages on sun (1kw/m2).  5 Peak Sun Hours X 1000w/m2 = 5kwh/m2.
Term
Pole Mount
Definition
A type of array mounting system where module are installed at an elevation on a pedestal.
Term
Pyrheliometer
Definition
A sensor that measures direct solar radiation.
Term
Rack Mount
Definition
A type of fixed or adjustable tilt array mounting system with a triangular shaped structure to increase the tilt angle of the array.
Term
Tracking Array
Definition
A PV array that follows the path of the sun. It can be one or two axis.
Term
Total Solar Radiation
Definition
All of the solar radiation reaching earth's surface.
Term
Zenith Angle
Definition
The angle between directly overhead and the line intersecting the sun.  It is the elevation angle of the sun above the horizon.
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