Buzz Words

Array: A solar array is made up of two or more modules of individual solar cells that are the basic building block and power producer of the system. Systems generally include several modules wired together.

Clean (Renewable) Energy: Renewable energy comes from sources that are essentially inexhaustible such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy or from sources that can be replenished on a human time scale, such as biomass (wood). Fossil fuels are nonrenewable energy sources; there is a finite supply of them. Renewable energy is also often clean energy; it can be generated with few or zero emissions and little to no environmental damage.

Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide you produce as a result of the amount of energy you consume. Anything that requires burning fossil fuels (driving a car, watching TV, drying your hair) contributes to your carbon footprint. Steps you take to conserve energy, such as carpooling and recycling, decrease your carbon footprint.

Fossil fuels: Naturally occurring hydrocarbons such as oil, coal, and natural gas that are found in and extracted from within the earth's crust. When burned to produce energy, these fuels produce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

Greenhouse gases: While gases including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and water vapor naturally occur in the earth's atmosphere, human activities can artificially increase concentrations, notably through fossil fuel combustion, to produce heat and electricity. These gases are dubbed greenhouse gases because they remain in the atmosphere and intensify the sun's heat as it radiates to the earth, similar to a greenhouse's glass walls heating and moisturizing the air inside of it.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh): a unit of measurement equal to one kilowatt of power produced or consumed over one hour of time. Kilowatt-hours are used to measure the input and output of electricity. To see kilowatt-hours in context, check out your monthly electricity bill.

Photovoltaic: The direct conversion of sunlight into electricity.

PV cell: The smallest semiconductor element that converts sunlight into electrical energy (DC voltage and current).

Solar energy: The sun's energy can be used to generate electricity, provide hot water, and heat, cool, and light buildings. This can be achieved using solar photovoltaic panels, concentrating solar power, and passive solar design.