tilt angle

Angle of inclination of collector as measured in degrees from the horizontal. For maximum performance solar collectors/modules should be set at a perpendicular to the sun.

A layer of semiconductor material, such as copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, or amorphous silicon, a few microns or less in thickness, used to make photovoltaic cells.

Materials, typically masonry, that store heat in a passive solar home.

Electric energy derived from heat energy, usually by heating a working fluid, which drives a turbogenerator See `solar thermal electric.’

An allowance made in charge controller set points for changing battery temperatures.

The ability of an inverter or generator to deliver high currents momentarily required when starting a motor.

The momentary start-up condition of a motor requiring a large amount of electrical current.

The covering on the sun side of a PV module, providing protection for the PV materials from impact and environmental degradation while allowing maximum transmission of the appropriate wavelengths of the solar spectrum.

The pairing of electrons in certain materials that, when cooled below a critical temperature, cause the material to lose all resistance to electricity flow. Superconductors can carry electric current without any energy losses.

A condition that afflicts unused and discharged batteries; large crystals of lead sulfate grow on the plate, instead of the usual tiny crystals, making the battery extremely difficult to recharge.