Acronyms

Question 1

Mppt

Answer 1

Maximum Power Point Tracker
is a technique that inverters of grid-connected wind turbines and PV solar systems employ to maximize power output. PV solar comes in different configurations.

Question 2

TCU

Answer 2

Tracker Control Unit -

controller that supplies power to tracker motor and inclinometer and communicates with the NCU (NEXTracker).

Question 3

NCU

Answer 3

Network Control Unit – connected to Master PC via R485 (Ethernet) and communicates anemometer data with TCU (NEXTracker).

Question 4

PCS

Answer 4

Power Conversion Center– DC to AC/combining/step up station for arrays, outputs 34.5 kV AC electricity which usually moves to sectionalized cabinet or PVCS.

Question 5

PVCS

Answer 5

Photovoltaic Combining Station – AC combining station for blocks greater than or equal to 20 MW, outputs 34.5 kV AC electricity which usually moves to substation

Question 6

PVIS

Answer 6

Photovoltaic Interconnection Switchgear – AC combining station rated at 38 kV (34.5kV), used if a large step up is not necessary depending on level of interconnection.

Question 7

NEMA

Answer 7

National Electrical Manufacture Association –publishes over 600 standards that regarding the production and manufacturing processes or technologies involving the generation, transmission, distribution, control and end use of electricity. NEMA enclosure types are widely used for PV utility applications.

Question 8

UL

Answer 8

Underwriters Laboratory – provides safety related certification, validation, testing, inspection, auditing, advising and training services to manufacturers, retailers regarding new technologies. UL is approved by the US federal agency Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to perform safety testing.

Question 9

PMC

Answer 9

Plant Master Control

Question 10

GSU

Answer 10

Generator Step-Up Transformer -

Question 11

ISU

Answer 11

Inverter Step-up Transformer -

Question 12

SUT

Answer 12

Step-up Transformer -

Question 13

STC

Answer 13

Standard test Conditions - how a solar module preforms at a temperature of 25 degrees C, an irradiance of 1000 W/m2, with an air mass 1.5 (AM1.5) spectrum. It represents an average set of conditions that can be expected at the midpoint between North and South of the contiguous 48 states during spring and fall with the sun perpendicular to the solar module.

Question 14

ONAN

Answer 14

Oil natural, air natural (transformers)

Question 15

ONAF

Answer 15

Oil natural, air forced ( transformers)

Question 16

UPS

Answer 16

Uninterruptable Power Suppl -

Question 17

IP

Answer 17

Internet Protocol

Question 18

DIP switch

Answer 18

Dual in-line package (DIP) A DIP switch is a manual electric switch that is packaged with others in a group in a standard dual in-line package (DIP). The term may refer to each individual switch, or to the unit as a whole.

Question 19

Firmware

Answer 19

is “the combination of a hardware device, e.g. an integrated circuit, and computer instructions and data that reside as read only software on that device”

Question 20

PPA

Answer 20

Power Purchase Agreement – a contract between the generator of electricity (seller) and the purchaser of electricity (buyer i.e. SRP, PE&G etc.) that defines all of the commercial terms for the sale of electricity between the two parties including commercial operation start date, schedule for delivery of electricity, penalties for under-delivery, payment terms and termination. A PPA is the principal agreement that defines the revenue and credit quality of a generating project and is thus a key instrument of project finance (Wikipedia).

Question 21

CUP

Answer 21

Conditional Use Permit -

Question 22

BoS

Answer 22

Balance of System

Question 23

LNTP

Answer 23

Limited Notice to Proceed

Question 24

FNTP

Answer 24

Final Notice to Proceed

Question 25

ISO

Answer 25

Independent System Operator – an organization that coordinates, controls and monitors the operation of the electrical power system i.e. CALISO.

Question 26

GCOD

Answer 26

Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date – requires permission from the ISO, owner and utility; precedes first test year, proceeds commissioning and construction; defined within the PPA and EPC agreement.

Question 27

NPV

Answer 27

Net Present Value – Used in capital budgeting to analyze profitability of an investment or project

Question 28

IRR

Answer 28

Internal Rate of Return – The discount rate often used in capital budgeting that makes the net present value of all cash flows from a particular project equal to zero i.e. the higher a project’s IRR, the more desirable it is to undertake the project

Question 29

RFP

Answer 29

Request for Proposal

Question 30

RFI

Answer 30

Request for Information – request for information through some type of software (i.e. SAGE) between engineering and construction, utility or vendor.

Question 31

COD

Answer 31

Cash of Delivery - stacks

Question 32

ECN

Answer 32

Electronic Communications Network

Question 33

IC

Answer 33

Interconnection Customer

Question 34

SGIA

Answer 34

Small Generator Interconnection Agreement - describes scope, timing and cost between the IC (owner) and utility; “small” is less than or equal to 20 MW.

Question 35

LGIA

Answer 35

Large Generator Interconnection Agreement – more than 20 MW.

Question 36

PO

Answer 36

Purchase Order -

Question 37

Lead Time

Answer 37

Time from PO to onsite

Question 38

TSA

Answer 38

Transitional Service Agreement - A transitional service agreement (TSA) is made between a buyer and seller and contemplates having the seller provide infrastructure support such as accounting, IT, and HR after the transaction closes. The TSA is common in situations where the buyer does not have the management or systems in place to absorb the acquisition, and the seller can offer them for a fee.

Question 39

NDA

Answer 39

Non-Discosure Agreement - is a legal contract between at least two parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but wish to restrict access to or by third parties