Educational Resource

A to Z Solar & Power Glossary

Your comprehensive guide to understanding solar energy, electricity generation, and power system terminology in West Bengal.

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A B C D E G I K M N O P R S T V W Z

A

AC (Alternating Current)

Electric current that reverses its direction many times a second at regular intervals, typically used in power supplies.

Ampere (Amp)

A unit of electric current equal to a flow of one coulomb per second. Essential for calculating solar power generation.

Array

A complete power-generating unit, consisting of any number of PV modules and panels.

Azimuth

The horizontal angle measured clockwise from true north. Critical for optimal solar panel orientation.

B

Battery Bank

A group of batteries connected together to store solar electricity for later use, especially in off-grid systems.

Bifacial Solar Panels

Solar panels that can capture sunlight and generate power from both their front and back sides.

BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics)

Photovoltaic materials that are used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelope such as the roof, skylights, or facades.

C

Charge Controller

A device that controls the flow of electrical power from the solar panel array to the battery bank, preventing overcharging.

Cell

The basic unit of a photovoltaic panel that converts sunlight directly into electricity.

Conversion Efficiency

The percentage of the solar energy shining on a PV device that is converted into usable electrical energy.

D

DC (Direct Current)

Electric current that flows in only one direction. Solar panels produce DC electricity.

Depth of Discharge (DoD)

The percentage of a battery's capacity that has been used relative to its total capacity.

Distributed Generation

Electrical generation and storage performed by a variety of small, grid-connected devices referred to as distributed energy resources (DER).

E

Efficiency

The ratio of power output to power input. High-efficiency solar panels generate more electricity.

Electricity

A form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons), either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current.

Energy Audit

An inspection, survey, and analysis of energy flows for energy conservation in a building or localized system.

G

Grid-Tied System

A solar power system that is connected to the utility grid. (Also known as On-Grid).

Green Energy

Energy that is produced in a manner that has less of a negative impact to the environment than energy sources like fossil fuels.

I

Inverter

A device that converts direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity for household or commercial use.

Irradiance

The measure of solar power falling on a specific area, usually expressed in watts per square meter (W/m²).

Islanding

A condition where a distributed generator (like a solar PV system) continues to power a location even though electrical grid power is no longer present.

K

Kilowatt (kW)

A standard unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

A measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of 1,000 watts for 1 hour. Your electricity bill is measured in kWh.

M

Megawatt (MW)

One million watts or 1,000 kilowatts.

Monocrystalline

A type of solar cell made from a single, continuous crystal structure. Usually darker in color and more efficient.

MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking)

An algorithm included in charge controllers and inverters to extract maximum available power from PV module under certain conditions.

Microinverter

A device that converts direct current (DC) generated by a single solar module into alternating current (AC). Usually mounted right behind the panel.

N

Net Metering

A billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.

Nominal Voltage

A reference voltage used to describe batteries, modules, or systems (e.g., a 12-volt or 24-volt battery).

O

Off-Grid System

A stand-alone solar power system not connected to the utility grid, relying heavily on batteries.

Orientation

The arrangement or positioning of a solar panel relative to the points of the compass.

P

Photovoltaic (PV)

The method of generating electric power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity.

Polycrystalline

A type of solar cell made from multiple silicon fragments melted together. Typically blue and slightly less efficient than monocrystalline.

Power

The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit, usually measured in Watts.

R

Renewable Energy

Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.

Rooftop Solar

A photovoltaic (PV) system that has its electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a residential or commercial building or structure.

S

Solar Energy

Radiant energy emitted by the sun.

Solar Module

A connected assembly of photovoltaic cells, also known as a solar panel.

String Inverter

A type of central inverter used with multiple solar panels connected in series (a "string").

Substation

An assemblage of equipment for purposes other than generation or utilization, through which electric energy in bulk is passed for the purpose of switching or modifying its characteristics.

Surge Protector

An appliance or device designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes.

T

Tilt Angle

The angle at which a solar panel is elevated from the horizontal position.

Transformer

An electrical device that transfers electricity from one circuit to another with change in voltage, current, phase, or other electric characteristics.

V

Volt (V)

The standard unit of electrical potential or electromotive force.

Voltage Drop

The loss of electrical potential (voltage) across a path or circuit, which reduces system efficiency.

W

Watt (W)

The standard unit of electrical power. One watt equals one joule per second.

Watt-Peak (Wp)

The maximum electrical power that a solar panel can produce under standard test conditions.

Z

Zero Net Energy (ZNE)

A building with zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site.

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