Alternating Current (AC): The type of electricity used to power most appliances and devices in your home.
Amorphous Silicon: A type of solar panel material known for its efficiency in low-light conditions.
Array: A group of connected solar panels that work together to generate electricity.
B
Battery Storage (Optional): A system that stores excess solar energy for use during peak hours or power outages.
Balance of System (BOS): All the components of a solar energy system besides the solar panels themselves, including inverters, racking, wiring, and monitoring equipment.
C
Cash Purchase Discount: A financial incentive offered by some solar companies for purchasing a system outright.
Cell: The basic building block of a solar panel, converting sunlight into electricity.
Clean Energy: Energy generated from renewable sources like solar power that have minimal environmental impact.
D
Direct Current (DC): The type of electricity generated by solar panels before being converted to AC for use in your home.
E
Efficiency: The percentage of sunlight a solar panel can convert into electricity.
Energy Consumption: The amount of energy you use to power your home, typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Energy Independence: Reducing reliance on the grid by generating your own clean energy with a solar system.
F
Federal Tax Credit: A tax credit offered by the federal government to incentivize solar installations. (Currently 30% under the Inflation Reduction Act)
Financing Options: Loan programs or payment plans available to help make solar power more affordable.
Grid: The electrical system that delivers power to your home.
I
Inverter: The device that converts DC electricity from solar panels into usable AC electricity.
K
Kilowatt (kW): A unit of power measurement equal to 1,000 watts.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A unit of energy measurement equal to the amount of energy used by 1 kW for 1 hour.
M
Module: Another term for a solar panel.
Monitoring System: Tracks your solar system's performance and allows you to monitor energy production remotely.
N
Net Metering: A billing agreement with your utility company that allows you to sell excess electricity generated by your system back to the grid, potentially earning credits on your utility bill. (Note: Availability may vary by location).
P
Photovoltaic (PV): Refers to the technology used in solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity.
R
Renewable Energy: Energy sources that can be replenished naturally, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Return on Investment (ROI): The time it takes for the cost savings generated by your solar system to outweigh the initial investment.
S
Solar Energy: Radiant energy emitted by the sun, harnessed by solar panels to generate electricity.
Solar Panel: A flat panel containing photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity.
System Size: The total capacity of a solar energy system, typically measured in kilowatts (kW).
T
Tariff: The pricing structure set by your utility company for electricity use.
