Reviewed by Sarah Lozanova
The fast-growing solar energy industry offers diverse roles—from installation and sales to project management and policy. Yet, newcomers often find themselves overwhelmed by industry-specific solar terms and jargon.
From over a decade of experience in the solar energy industry at GreenLancer, we know that solar vocabulary can be technical and varied, encompassing concepts in energy production, solar system components, and financial considerations. Familiarity with essential solar energy terms and common acronyms for solar systems is critical when launching a career in renewable energy.
Types of Solar Energy Technology
Solar energy, one of the primary words for solar power, refers to the radiant light and heat received from the sun, harnessed for various applications like electricity generation, heating, and cooling. As a clean, renewable resource, solar energy significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Photovoltaics (PV) are technologies that convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials. When sunlight strikes the surface of a PV cell, it excites electrons, generating an electric current. This process is known as the photovoltaic effect.
As a key solar system acronym, “PV” is widely recognized across the solar industry and often refers to the systems installed on rooftops, ground-mounted, or integrated into building materials like solar glass. There are various types of solar panels, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film panels.
Solar Thermal
Solar thermal systems utilize sunlight to generate heat, which can then be used for space heating, water heating, and electricity generation through steam turbines at solar thermal power plants. These systems typically involve solar collectors, which capture and convert solar energy into thermal energy.
Common types of solar thermal systems include flat-plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors, and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems. Solar thermal systems complement photovoltaic technologies by providing a reliable and efficient way to harness solar energy for heating purposes, broadening the applications of solar energy in residential and commercial settings.
Solar Terms About System Components
Understanding the essential words of solar system components is crucial for anyone looking to grasp solar energy technology.
Solar Panels
Solar PV panels, also known as solar modules, are the most visible components of a solar energy system. Solar professionals often use the solar term “mods” to refer to solar modules. They are designed to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. There are three main types of solar panels:
Monocrystalline Solar Panels: Made from a single crystal structure, these panels are known for their high efficiency (15-23%) and sleek aesthetics. They occupy less space for the same power output, making them popular for residential installations. However, they tend to be more expensive than other options.
Polycrystalline PV Panels: Constructed from multiple silicon crystals, polycrystalline panels are generally less efficient (13-16%) but more affordable. Their blue hue is distinctive, and while they may require more space for the same power output, they are still a reliable choice for many homeowners.
Thin-Film Solar Panels: These panels are made by layering photovoltaic material on a substrate. They are lightweight, flexible, and can be integrated into various surfaces. While their efficiency is lower (10-13%), they perform better in low-light conditions and high temperatures. Thin-film technology is often used for large-scale applications but is becoming more accessible for residential use.
Solar Inverters
Inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity used by household appliances. There are two types of inverters:
String Inverters: Also known as central inverters, these are the most common type of inverters and connect to multiple panels. They are cost-effective but can reduce performance if one panel is shaded or malfunctioning.
Microinverters: Installed on each individual panel, microinverters optimize performance on a panel-by-panel basis, enhancing energy production, especially in partially shaded installations. They tend to be more expensive than string inverters but offer greater efficiency.
Power Optimizers: Although they are not a type of inverter, power optimizers are complementary devices that work alongside a string inverter. These units are similar to microinverters but use a string inverter. They maximize the output of each panel while still allowing for centralized management, combining some benefits of both string inverters and microinverters.
Solar Panel Mounting & Racking Systems
The mounting system is essential for securely installing solar panels. There are two primary methods for mounting solar panels:
Roof-Mounted Racking Systems: These systems are installed directly on the roof of a building, either using flush mounts or tilted racks. Roof-mounted installations are the most common for residential solar and often require no additional land. They can be designed to blend in with the roof's aesthetics, providing a seamless appearance.
Ground-Mounted Systems: Ground-mounted systems provide an alternative for homes without suitable roof space or for larger installations. These PV systems are installed on the ground and can be fixed or adjustable to track the sun’s movement. They require more land but can be more accessible for maintenance.
Battery Storage
There is also a lot of solar energy terminology related to energy storage technology. Solar batteries store excess energy generated by solar panels for later use, significantly enhancing energy independence. By retaining energy during peak production times (e.g., sunny afternoons), homeowners can utilize stored power during high-demand periods or at night. This capability reduces reliance on the grid and can lead to cost savings on electricity bills.
Key solar terms related to a solar battery system include:
Solar Battery: Solar batteries store the energy produced by solar panels, such as the Tesla Powerwall or LG Chem RESU. Some PV systems need multiple solar batteries, especially for homes with large loads.
Charge Controller: Regulates the flow of electricity between the solar panels, battery, and inverter to prevent overcharging and optimize battery health.
Battery Management System (BMS): Monitors and manages battery performance, protecting it from damage and ensuring efficiency.
Battery storage systems have gained popularity in residential solar applications, allowing homeowners to harness solar energy more effectively. The importance of battery storage is underscored by its role in energy resilience, especially during power outages or grid failures.
Solar Terms for Energy Production Metrics
These solar terms are critical for understanding solar energy lingo, and you may use them in your solar proposals.
Kilowatt (kW): A unit of power that measures the rate at which electricity is generated or consumed. It’s crucial for determining the size of a solar system based on energy needs.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A unit of energy that measures the total electricity used or produced over time. It’s a standard metric for tracking energy consumption, often appearing on electricity bills to show how much power a household or business has used within a billing period.
Capacity Factor: A measure of a solar system's efficiency, calculated as the actual energy output compared to its maximum potential output over time.
PV System Efficiency: The solar system's energy output ratio compared to the total sunlight energy it receives. This takes into account various inefficiencies like shading and inverter losses.
Derate Factor: A value used to account for system inefficiencies such as inverter and wiring losses. A lower derate factor suggests lower overall system efficiency.
Specific Yield (kWh/kW/year): The total electricity generated per kilowatt of installed capacity annually. This helps compare the productivity of solar systems in different locations.
Solar Insolation (kWh/m²/day): The average amount of solar energy received per square meter per day. This solar term and concept is vital for determining a site’s solar energy potential.
Peak Sun Hours (PSH): The average number of hours per day when sunlight intensity is high enough to produce significant electricity. It helps assess a solar installation’s potential.
Solar Irradiance (W/m²): The power per square meter received from the sun in the form of sunlight. This solar term used to estimate the potential electricity a solar panel can generate.
Common Solar System Acronyms
Understanding core solar system acronyms makes communicating effectively about solar technology, financing, and maintenance easier. Here are some common solar energy acronyms used by professionals and newcomers alike:
PV – Photovoltaic: Technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity.
kW – Kilowatt: A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts, used to measure the size of a solar system.
kWh – Kilowatt-Hour: A measure of energy production or consumption over time.
MPPT – Maximum Power Point Tracking: A feature in inverters that optimizes power output from solar panels.
AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction: The local body that enforces code compliance for solar installations and reviews designs to ensure adherence to safety standards.
PE – Professional Engineer: A licensed engineer who has passed a comprehensive exam and is qualified to design and oversee engineering projects, including solar installations, ensuring they meet safety and regulatory standards.
PPA – Power Purchase Agreement: A contract for purchasing solar power at a fixed rate, often used for financing.
ITC – Investment Tax Credit: A U.S. federal tax credit for a percentage of solar installation costs.
SREC – Solar Renewable Energy Certificate: This solar acronym refers to a tradable certificate representing proof of renewable energy generation.
AC/DC – Alternating Current / Direct Current: Types of electrical currents; solar panels produce DC, converted to AC for home use.
LCOE – Levelized Cost of Energy: A metric that calculates the total cost of building and operating a system divided by its energy production.
O&M – Operations and Maintenance: The ongoing upkeep and management of solar energy systems.
Financial Solar Terms
Solar terminology regarding finances helps explain the costs, savings, and incentives that make solar energy systems a financially attractive option.
Net Metering: A billing mechanism that allows homeowners to receive credit for excess energy produced by their solar system that is fed back into the grid. This credit can offset electricity costs when the solar panels aren't producing power (like at night).
Solar Incentives: These include federal tax credits (like the Investment Tax Credit), state-level rebates, grants, and incentives that reduce the cost of solar installation.
Solar Tax Credit (Investment Tax Credit, ITC): A federal tax incentive that allows homeowners to deduct a percentage of their solar installation costs from their federal taxes. As of 2024, the ITC provides a 30% credit, making solar installations more affordable by reducing the overall cost.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): A financing model where a solar company installs a system at little to no upfront cost. The homeowner purchases the electricity generated at a fixed rate, often lower than the grid rate.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): Tradable certificates that prove that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a solar energy source. Homeowners and businesses can sell SRECs to utilities or companies looking to meet renewable energy standards.
Solar Payback Period: The time it takes for a solar system owner to recoup their initial investment through energy savings and incentives. It's a critical metric to help homeowners understand when their system will become profitable.
Return on Investment (ROI): A percentage that represents the profitability of a solar system based on the initial cost and savings over time. A higher ROI indicates a more financially attractive investment.
Depreciation (MACRS): The Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) is a tax incentive that allows businesses to recover the cost of certain solar investments over time through annual tax deductions.
Solar Loan: A financing option where homeowners take out a loan to pay for the solar system upfront and repay it over time. This allows system ownership with monthly payments similar to an electric bill, often with lower overall costs.
Solar Installation Terminology
Solar installations typically involve several key steps, ensuring the system is designed, approved, and installed correctly. So, there are many words for solar related to the installation.
Here’s an overview of the main steps involved:
Solar Site Survey: The installation process begins with a comprehensive site assessment to evaluate the suitability of the location for solar panels. This includes analyzing roof orientation, shading from trees or buildings, structural integrity, and available space for the system. Solar professionals also assess local weather conditions and energy needs during this phase.
Solar Proposal: After the assessment, a detailed solar proposal is created for the homeowner. This proposal outlines the recommended system design, expected energy production, financial savings, costs, financing options, and incentives. This document is critical for helping customers make informed decisions.
Solar Permitting: Before installation can proceed, the necessary permits must be obtained from local authorities. This step involves submitting detailed plans, including site layouts and electrical diagrams, to ensure compliance with zoning laws and safety standards. The solar permitting process varies by location and the project complexity.
GreenLancer offers residential and commercial solar permit services to efficiently navigate the permit process. We provide comprehensive solar design and engineering services, including permit-ready solar plan sets, interconnection applications, and engineering reviews. These services help streamline the permit process and help solar companies scale up their operations.
To begin shopping for commercial or residential solar permit services, create a GreenLancer account.
Solar Interconnection: Once approval is secured, an interconnection agreement with the local utility is established. This agreement allows the solar system to connect to the grid, facilitating the flow of electricity between the solar installation and the utility. It’s essential to understand the utility’s policies and requirements for interconnection.
Solar System Installation: With all approvals, the installation phase begins. This involves physically mounting the solar panels, installing the inverter, and connecting the system to the home’s electrical system. Proper installation practices are crucial to ensure safety and system efficiency.
Inspection and Approval: After installation, the solar system is typically subject to inspection by local authorities or utility representatives to verify compliance with safety and regulatory standards. This step ensures the installation meets all codes and is ready for operation.
Solar Installation Commissioning: The solar system can be activated once the installation passes inspection. This involves final connections to the utility grid and ensuring all components function correctly. Customers may also be educated on how to monitor their system’s performance.
Solar System Monitoring: After installation, it's crucial to implement a solar monitoring system that tracks the system's real-time performance. These systems provide data on energy production, efficiency, and potential issues like drops in output or component malfunctions. Monitoring helps homeowners and installers ensure the system operates optimally and allows quick intervention if problems arise.
PV Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential for long-term solar performance. This includes cleaning solar panels to remove dust or debris, checking for shading issues, and inspecting electrical connections and inverters for wear and tear. Proper maintenance helps prevent energy loss and extends the system's lifespan, ensuring consistent energy production.
Solar Terms on Regulations and Standards
Understanding the various regulations and standards is essential for ensuring solar panel installations comply with legal requirements and function safely and efficiently.
Solar Terms for Code Compliance
Electrical Codes: Compliance with national and local electrical codes, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC), is essential for solar installations. These codes govern wiring, grounding, and inverter connections to ensure the system operates safely and efficiently. Non-compliance can lead to system failure or safety hazards.
Building Codes: Adhering to local building codes is critical during solar installations to ensure the safety and structural integrity of the system. These codes regulate things like solar panel placement, roof load capacity, and electrical connections. Failing to comply can result in delays, fines, or the need for costly system modifications.
Fire Codes: Solar installations must also adhere to fire safety regulations, including providing sufficient access for firefighters and properly labeling electrical components. Fire codes may dictate specific setbacks, roof access pathways, and rapid shutdown capabilities to ensure the system can be safely de-energized in emergencies.
Solar Interconnection Standards: Before connecting a solar system to the grid, the installation must meet utility interconnection standards. These requirements ensure the solar system integrates safely with the grid without causing disruptions. Key factors include inverter specifications, system size limitations, and safety protocols to protect grid workers.
Zoning Laws: Zoning laws regulate land use for solar projects, particularly in residential areas. They determine if a property can be used for solar installations based on the land type, and may place restrictions on system size, height, and proximity to property boundaries.
Terminology for Solar Permitting
Here’s a concise guide to essential words for solar energy in permitting, covering terms that define the rules, approvals, and key documents required for solar installations.
Solar Plan Sets: This set of documents provides a detailed plan and specifications for a solar energy installation. It includes a range of drawings, diagrams, and written documentation that outlines the design and structure of the solar energy system to ensure compliance with local building codes, zoning laws, and safety regulations for solar permitting.
Solar Permit Applications: Obtaining the necessary permits for solar installations involves submitting detailed plans for review by local authorities. Permitting ensures the project meets all relevant building, safety, and electrical standards before construction begins. The process may vary depending on the system's size and complexity.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): The local body that enforces code compliance for solar installations. The AHJ reviews designs and installations to ensure adherence to electrical, building, and fire codes, making it crucial to obtain permits and final approvals for safe system operation.
Permission to Operate (PTO): After a solar installation is completed and all inspections are passed, the utility grants solar PTO, authorizing the system to connect to the grid and begin generating power. This final approval confirms that the installation meets grid safety and reliability standards. It’s a crucial step, as generating electricity without solar PTO can lead to regulatory issues and a potential shutdown.
PE – Professional Engineer: A licensed engineer who has passed a comprehensive exam and is qualified to design and oversee engineering projects, including solar installations, ensuring they meet safety and regulatory standards.
PE Stamp (Engineering Stamp): An official seal licensed Professional Engineers use to certify that engineering documents, including solar designs, comply with applicable codes and standards. GreenLancer provides this service for solar contractors, facilitating the permitting process and ensuring that projects meet local regulations.
Solar Rights Laws: Solar rights laws protect homeowners' ability to install solar energy systems without interference from local ordinances or homeowner associations (HOAs). These laws ensure that residents can benefit from solar energy without restrictions on system placement or limitations imposed by aesthetic concerns.
SolarAPP+ (Solar Automated Permit Processing+): A streamlined online platform that helps expedite the permitting process for solar installations, making it easier for solar contractors to obtain necessary approvals and reduce project timelines.
Solar permitting challenges can delay projects and make jobs less profitable. GreenLancer’s solar permitting and engineering services help streamline the solar permitting process with permit-ready plan sets, engineering stamps, and reviews.
Solar Terms About Emerging Technologies and Trends
The solar industry continues to evolve with cutting-edge technologies and innovative trends that increase energy efficiency, reliability, and accessibility. Below are essential terms and words for solar technology innovation.
Bifacial Solar Panels: These advanced panels generate electricity from both the front and back, capturing sunlight directly and through reflections from surfaces like rooftops or ground. This dual-sided energy production improves the overall efficiency of solar systems, making them ideal for areas with high surface reflectivity.
Agrivoltaics: This innovative approach combines solar energy production with agriculture, allowing land to serve dual purposes. Solar panels are installed above crops or grazing areas, enabling farmers to grow food or raise livestock while generating renewable energy and improving land-use efficiency.
Smart Inverters: These advanced inverters manage the flow of electricity between solar systems and the grid more efficiently. They can also adjust to fluctuations in energy production or demand, improving grid stability and making solar systems more responsive to grid conditions.
Smart Grids: As electrical grids modernize, solar energy plays a crucial role in their development. Smart grids incorporate distributed solar generation and allow for real-time energy management, enhancing the efficiency of electricity distribution and improving resilience during disruptions.
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs): A VPP aggregates multiple small-scale solar and storage systems to operate as a single energy source, providing power to the grid when demand peaks. VPPs help utilities balance the supply and demand of electricity while supporting greater use of renewable energy.
Floating Solar (Floatovoltaics): Solar panels installed on water bodies, like reservoirs or lakes, are emerging as a solution to land-use limitations. These systems not only produce clean energy but can also reduce evaporation, contributing to water conservation efforts.
Transparent Solar Panels: These advanced panels allow light to pass through while generating electricity, offering exciting applications in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Transparent solar panels can be installed on windows, facades, and glass surfaces, generating clean energy without disrupting building aesthetics or natural lighting.
Other Words for Solar Energy
Here are some alternative terms for solar energy:
Solar power
Solar radiation
Sun energy
Sunlight energy
Solar thermal energy
Solar heat
Solar electricity
Photovoltaic energy
Solar resource
Renewable solar energy
Solar influx
Solar insolation
Solar generation
Solar-derived energy
Direct solar energy
Solar gain
Solar input
Sun-based energy
Understanding Solar Terms is Critical
Understanding key solar terms and concepts is essential for professionals entering the rapidly growing solar industry. Anyone working in the industry must be aware of key aspects of solar energy systems, including energy production metrics, components, installation procedures, and the regulatory framework governing solar projects.
Newer solar technologies like bifacial panels, smart inverters, and agrivoltaics continue to drive innovation. As the industry evolves, staying informed about these technical details and trends is crucial for staying competitive in the renewable energy sector.
To learn more about GreenLancer solar design services, including solar plan sets, interconnection applications, and solar engineering, complete the form below.
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