Putting science
at the heart of development
Definitions
Below is a directory of terms used in discussions about solar power. Most of the terms have been reproduced from the International Energy Agency, the UN Environment Programme or the US Department of Energy.
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing the world today. Long-term development planning must now include measures to deal with it.
A
Active solar
Directly harnessing solar energy to produce either electricity or hot water.
Alternating current (AC)
A type of electrical current in which the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. AC is the form in which electricity is used in distribution grids.
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=spacer}
