PV 1 Flashcards
A solar energy technology that uses unique properties of semi conductors to directly convert solar radiation into electricity
Photovoltaics
- The utilities network of conductors, substations, and equipment that distributed electricity from its central generation point to the consumer
- A metal framework that supports the active material of a battery cell and conducts electricity
Grid
A solar energy collector that absorbs solar energy on a flat surface without concentrating it, and can utilize solar radiation directly from the sun as well as diffuse radiation that is reflected or scattered by clouds and other surfaces
Flat-plate collector
A business that designs, builds and installs complete PV systems for particular applications by matching components from various manufacturers
Integrator
A piece of equipment that consumes electricity
Load
A device designed to absorb solar radiation and convert it to another form, usually heat or electricity
Solar energy collector
A company that produces and/or distributes electricity to consumers in a certain region or state
Utility
A system in which many smaller power generating systems create electrical power near the point of consumption
Distributed generation
An electrical system consisting of a PV module array and other electrical components needed to convert solar energy into electricity usable by loads
Photovoltaic (PV) system
An electrical or structural component, aside from a major component, that is required to complete a PV system
Balance-of-system (BOS) component
Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
An organization, office, or individual designated by local government with legal powers to administer, interpret, and enforce building codes
A technology that uses mirrors and lenses to reflect and concentrate solar radiation from a large area onto a small area
Concentrating solar power (CSP)
A solar collector that enhances solar energy by focusing it on a smaller area through reflective surfaces or lenses
Concentrating collector
An electrochemical process that caused electrical current to flow between two dissimilar metals, which eventually corrodes one of the materials (the anode)
Galvanic corrosion
A fixed array that replaces conventional building materials with specifically designed modules that perform an architectural function to producing power
Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) array
The addition of lumber under a roof surface and between trusses or rafters as supplemental structural support
Blocking
A type of fixed, or adjustable, tilt array mounting system with a triangular-shaped structure to increase the tilt angle of the array
Rack mount
The force required to remove a screw from a material by tensile (pulling) force only
Allowable withdrawal load
A fastener that hooks around a secure support structure and has a threaded end that is used with a nut to secure items
J bolt
A calculated structural load used to evaluate the strength of a structure to failure
Design load
A dynamic structure load due to wind, resulting in downward, lateral, or lifting forces
Wind load
A wind load factor that accounts for the array height and the characteristics of the surrounding terrain
Exposure
A metal part, usually zinc or magnesium, that is more susceptible to galvanic corrosion that the metal structure it is attached to, so that it corrodes, rather than the structure
Sacrificial anode
A variation of a fixed-tilt array mounting system that permits manual adjustment of the tilt and/or azimuth angles to Increase the array output
Adjustable mounting system
An array mounting system that automatically orients the array to the position of the sun
Sun-tracking mount
