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Posted Thursday, June 16, 2016
Solar Power Vocabulary 101
One of the reasons you might not endeavor to try something new or to explore new opportunities is because you don’t know enough about whatever you’re interested in to get started. This can be especially frustrating when – in the case of solar power technology – there seems to be so much to gain by taking advantage of recent technological advancements.
That’s why we’re spending this week’s blog post talking about some of the most commonly-used terms in solar power, so that you can feel empowered on your own quest to better understand this industry.
PV (or photovoltaic) Cell or Array – PV can be used to describe a single cell, an array of cells, a panel or an entire system. It’s a word used to describe the process of converting radiation from the sun into energy in the form of electricity.
Cost Analysis – A close look at the resources, time and labor that is required before a solar power project can be commissioned.
Insolation – A term used to refer to the amount of solar energy exposed to the Earth at any given time.
Solar Nuclear Fusion – The process by which the sun releases energy that solar panels can use to generate electricity. In the sun, Hydrogen atoms are fused to create Helium; this reaction is what is responsible for the massive amount of energy that the sun emits.
Power Inverter – An industrial-grade transformer that converts electricity into AC or DC, depending on the source and output. Power inverters can be the size of a cassette tape or a pickup truck.
Photon – The basic unit of light that is emitted from the sun, eventually reaching the Earth.
Series/Parallel Wiring – An approach to consolidating solar panel strings that varies depending on the system and power needs.
As you can see just from this short list, tackling the terms used in a discussion about solar power can be a daunting task. Contact us at Urban Solar to learn more about these terms, or to schedule your free energy assessment. We’re here to help you through education and an honest approach to customer service.