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.
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?
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).
.jpg){kind=spacer}
