Glossary

Azimuth angle

The azimuth angle is the angle between north and the projection of a solar panel onto a horizontal plane. This angle is important for optimising the placement of solar panels.

Batteries for photovoltaics

Photovoltaic batteries, also called solar batteries or batteries for photovoltaic systems, are electrical devices that are used to store excess electricity generated by photovoltaic panels. Their main role is to store the electricity for later use,…

Circulation pump

Circulation pumps are used to maintain the circulation of domestic hot (drinking) water in residential houses. Their main function is to ensure that the hot water is constantly circulated through the system to prevent it from cooling down. This…

CO2 compensation

CO2 compensation is a process in which greenhouse gas emissions are offset by planting trees or investing in renewable energy projects. In the context of solar energy, this can mean reducing emissions through the use of clean energy.

Crystalline panel

Crystalline panels are one of the main types of photovoltaic panels used to generate electricity from solar radiation. These panels are assembled from many solar cells that are made of crystalline silicon. There are two main types of crystalline…

Degradation

Degradation refers to the gradual decline in performance of photovoltaic panels over their lifetime. This decline is often quantified and is important when planning the long-term use of solar systems.

Electric vehicle

An electric vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that is powered by electricity. Unlike traditional cars with petrol or diesel engines, EVs and electric trucks use an electric motor powered by batteries or fuel cells. The main advantage of electric…

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency refers to the ratio between the useful energy output and the energy input. In the context of photovoltaic panels, it indicates how much solar energy is successfully converted into electrical energy.

EV chargers

These are devices that allow electric cars to be charged directly from household sockets. It is important to distinguish between a portable charger and a charging cable. A portable charger is a stand-alone device that is used to charge an electric…

Hybrid photovoltaic power plants

Hybrid PV plants are an advanced type of energy systems that combine photovoltaic (PV) technology with one or more other energy sources or storage technologies to create a more efficient and reliable energy system. Thus, a hybrid PV plant is…

Hybrid voltage inverters

Hybrid voltage converters (or hybrid inverters) are advanced devices. They allow the efficient combination of power from different sources, integrating the features of on-grid and off-grid inverters. These inverters provide the ability to power a…

Charge controller

A charge controller, often called a solar controller or solar controller, is a device used in photovoltaic (solar) power systems to control and regulate the charging of batteries or accumulators. Its main function is to monitor and control the…

Impp

The abbreviation "IMPP" in a technical context stands for "Maximum Power Point Current". This term is mainly used in the field of photovoltaics and refers to the current that a photovoltaic cell or panel produces at its Maximum Power Point (MPP).…

Insolation

Insolation is the amount of solar energy that falls on a given surface area over a given period of time. It is an important parameter in the design and performance evaluation of photovoltaic systems.

Intensity of solar radiation

In the context of photovoltaics, the term "solar intensity" refers to the amount of sunlight that falls on a certain area per unit time. This intensity is a key factor for the generation of electricity by photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, as sunlight…

Inverter

In the context of photovoltaics, an inverter is an electronic device that plays a key role in converting the solar energy produced by photovoltaic panels into an electric current suitable for use in the home or for distribution to the grid. The main…

Inverter for photovoltaics

A photovoltaic inverter (also known as a solar inverter or PV inverter) is a key component of a photovoltaic system. Its main function is to convert direct current (DC), which is generated by the solar panels, into alternating current (AC), which is…

Isc

The abbreviation "ISC" in the field of photovoltaics stands for "short-circuit current". This value is an important parameter in characterising the performance of solar PV panels and indicates the maximum current that can be produced by the device…

kWh (kilowatt-hour)

kWh is a unit of energy used to measure the production and consumption of electrical energy. One kilowatt-hour is equivalent to one kilowatt of energy consumed over one hour.

kWp

The abbreviation "kWp" stands for kilowatt peak and is a measure of the power output of photovoltaic (solar) systems. This term is used to express the maximum nominal performance of a solar panel or solar system under optimal conditions. In the…

Microgrid

A microgrid is a small, local energy network that can operate independently or in tandem with the main electricity grid. In solar energy, it is often used to supply power to remote or demanding locations.

Microinverter

A microinverter is a term used in the electronics and power industry to refer to a small electronic device or circuit that is used to transfer electrical energy between different devices or components in an electrical network. Microinverters are…

Monocrystalline

A monocrystalline panel is a type of photovoltaic panel made from a single silicon crystal. This type of panel is known for its higher efficiency and longer lifespan, but it is usually more expensive compared to other types of panels.

MPP

The abbreviation "MPP" in photovoltaics stands for "Maximum Power Point". This term is used to refer to the point on the power curve of a photovoltaic panel where the maximum possible power is achieved. The MPP is the point at which the PV panel…

MPPT

The abbreviation "MPPT" in photovoltaics stands for "Maximum Power Point Tracker". MPPT is an electronic controller or system used in solar PV systems to monitor and optimize the performance of PV panels. The MPPT is designed to monitor the…