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.
D
Decentralised energy
Where electricity is generated from many small energy sources. It uses systems that are installed at or near the location where the electricity is used. Also called distributed power, on-site generation or embedded generation. See off-grid system.
Direct current (DC)
A type of electrical current in which the movement of electric charge flows steadily in one direction. It is produced by solar cells and batteries and to be used for typical household appliances, DC must be converted to alternating current (AC).
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