Solar Power Glossary — Key Terms Explained

Photovoltaic (PV)

The technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials.

A billing arrangement that credits solar homeowners for excess electricity sent to the grid.

A device made of photovoltaic cells that captures sunlight and converts it into electricity.

A device that converts DC electricity from solar panels into AC power for home use.

A tradeable certificate earned for every megawatt-hour of solar electricity you generate.

A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts, used to measure solar system capacity.

A unit of energy that measures electricity consumption or production over time.

A group of solar panels installed together as a single electricity-generating system.

A financing option where you rent solar panels and pay a fixed monthly fee.

An arrangement where you buy solar electricity at a set rate without owning the panels.

A solar setup connected to the utility grid, allowing energy exchange with your power company.

A solar system that operates independently from the utility grid with battery storage.

Rechargeable batteries that store excess solar energy for use at night or during outages.

The number of hours per day when sunlight intensity averages 1,000 watts per square meter.

Technology that tracks your solar panel performance and energy production in real time.

Government authorization required before installing solar panels on your property.

The amount of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area over time.

An electricity pricing structure where rates change based on the time of day.

The mounting system that secures solar panels to your roof or the ground.