Solar Energy Glossary
Don't let technical jargon slow you down. Here are the most important solar terms explained in plain English.
Alternating Current (AC)
The type of electricity used in most homes and businesses. Solar panels produce DC electricity, which must be converted to AC by an inverter.
Battery Storage
A system that stores excess energy produced by solar panels during the day for use at night or during power outages.
Direct Current (DC)
The type of electricity produced by solar panels and stored in batteries. It flows in one direction.
Grid-Tied System
A solar power system connected to the utility grid. This allows you to use grid power when solar isn't enough and send excess solar power back to the grid.
Inverter
A critical component that converts the Direct Current (DC) electricity from solar panels into Alternating Current (AC) used by home appliances.
Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts. Solar system sizes are typically measured in kW (e.g., a 6 kW system).
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A unit of energy representing the use of one kilowatt for one hour. This is how utilities bill for electricity consumption.
Net Metering
A billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.
Photovoltaic (PV)
The process of converting light directly into electricity using semiconductor materials like silicon.
Soft Costs
Non-hardware costs associated with solar, such as permitting, financing, and installation labor.
Solar Collector
A device that captures solar radiation and converts it into heat or electricity.
Tier 1 Modules
Solar panels manufactured by companies that meet high standards of financial stability and manufacturing quality.