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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.
Technologies to harness solar power as a path to low-carbon energy are developing at breakneck speed. How can developing countries best make use of them to benefit the millions of rural poor who still live without electricity?
C
Centralised energy
Where electricity is produced at large power plants and 'shipped' though transmission and distribution grids (known as the electrical grid) to consumers.
Charge controller
A component of a photovoltaic system that controls the flow of current to and from the battery to protect it from over-charge and over-discharge.
Concentrating solar power (CSP)
CSP systems use concentrators to convert solar energy into heat, which can be used to create steam to drive a generator or to power chemical processes such as hydrogen production. Also known as high temperature solar thermal systems. Concentrating solar power may also refer to a system that focuses solar rays on a photovoltaic cell to increase conversion efficiency.
Concentrator
A photovoltaic module, that includes optical components such as lenses or mirrors to direct and concentrate sunlight onto a smaller area. Most concentrator arrays directly face or track the sun. They can increase the power flux of sunlight hundreds of times.
Conversion efficiency
The percentage of the input energy of a process that is converted to energy of the desired type.
Converter
A unit that converts a direct current (DC) power to another voltage.
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