You searched for:
“photovoltaic”
photovoltaic (PV)
1. Employing the photoelectric effect; that is, the production of electric power from electromagnetic radiation.
2. Relating to, or designating devices that absorb solar energy and transform it directly into electricity.
3. Able to generate a current or voltage when exposed to visible light or other electromagnetic radiation.
2. Relating to, or designating devices that absorb solar energy and transform it directly into electricity.
3. Able to generate a current or voltage when exposed to visible light or other electromagnetic radiation.
Word Entries containing the term:
“photovoltaic”
photosynthetic efficiency, photovoltaic conversion efficiency
The percentage of the total available light captured by plants that is subsequently converted into chemical energy.
This entry is located in the following units:
photo-, phot-, -photic
(page 14)
vers-, vert-, -verse, -version, -version, -versation, -versal, -versary, -vert, vort-, vors-
(page 11)
volt +
(page 2)
photovoltaic cell
A single semiconducting element of small size (for example, one square centimeter) that absorbs light or other bands of the electronmagnetic spectrum and emits electricity.
photovoltaic device
A solid-state device that converts light directly into electricity, with voltage-current characteristics that are a function of th characteristics that are a function of the characteristics of the light source and the design and materials of the device.
These devices are made of various semiconductor materials including silicon, cadmium sulfide, cadmium telluride, and gallium arsenide, in single crystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous forms.
photovoltaic effect, photovoltaic process
The phenomenon that occurs when photons (the "particles" in a beam of light) strike electrons and free them from their bound position.
When this property of light is combined with the properties of semiconductors, electrons flow in one direction across a junction, setting up a voltage.
With the addition of circuitry, current flows and electric power is available.
photovoltaic efficiency
The ratio of the electric power produced by a photovoltaic device to the power of the sunlight incident on the device.
photovoltaic energy
Energy emanating from the sun as electromagnetic radiation that is converted into electricity by means of solar (photovoltaic) cells or concentrating (focusing) collectors.
photovoltaic generator
The total of all interconnected strings of a photovoltaic power supply system.
photovoltaic hybrid (system)
A photovoltaic system combined with some other complementary energy system; such as, wind turbines or diesel generators.
photovoltaic module
A panel assembled from a number of individual photovoltaic cells electrically interconnected in a series and parallel so as to provide a specific useful voltage and current.
photovoltaic panel
1. A physically connected collection of modules.
2. A panel assembled from a number of individual photovoltaic cells electrically interconnected in a series and parallel.
2. A panel assembled from a number of individual photovoltaic cells electrically interconnected in a series and parallel.
photovoltaic system
A complete set of components for converting solar energy into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, including the array and balance of system constituents.
photovoltaic-thermal
Describing a photovoltaic system that, in addition to converting sunlight into electricity, collects the residual heat energy and delivers both heat and electricity in usable form.
This entry is located in the following units:
photo-, phot-, -photic
(page 16)
thermo-, therm-, thermi-, -thermia, -therm, -thermal, -thermic, -thermias, -thermies, -thermous, -thermy
(page 17)
volt +
(page 3)
Word Entries at Get Words:
“photovoltaic”
photovoltaic(s); PV
Referring to the direct conversion of light into electricity.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
(solar electricity technical terms applying to electricity, power generation, concentrating solar power, or CSP, solar heating, solar lighting, and solar electricity)
Word Entries at Get Words containing the term:
“photovoltaic”
photovoltaic (PV) solar cells
Made of semi-conducting materials that can directly convert sunlight to electricity without any harmful waste product.
Solar collector are made more efficient by using arrays of mirrors to concentrate the sun's ray onto photovoltaic panels.
According to the Department of Energy, homes incorporating solar heating designs can save as much as 50 percent on heating bills.
The negative aspects of solar energy is that it depends heavily on a range of factors including location, time of year, and the weather.
An extensive list of related words and definitions may be seen at this photovoltaic terms page.
This entry is located in the following units:
Astronomy and related astronomical terms
(page 19)
Energy Sources and Related Information +
(page 3)
photovoltaic array
1. An interconnected system of photovoltaic modules that function as a single electricity-producing unit. The modules are assembled as a discrete structure, with common support or mounting.
The modules are assembled as a discrete structure, with common support or mounting; in smaller systems, an array can consist of a single module.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic cell
The smallest semiconductor element within a PV module to perform the immediate conversion of light into electrical energy (direct current voltage and current). Also called a solar cell.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic conversion efficiency
The ratio of the electric power produced by a photovoltaic device to the power of the sunlight incident on the device.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Words
An extensive list of Photovoltaic words about conversion efficiency.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Index of Scientific and Technological Topics
(page 2)
photovoltaic device
A solid-state electrical device that converts light directly into direct current electricity of voltage-current characteristics that are a function of the characteristics of the light source and the materials in and design of the device.
Solar photovoltaic devices are made of various semiconductor materials including silicon, cadmium sulfide, cadmium telluride, and gallium arsenide, and in single crystalline, multicrystalline, or amorphous forms.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic effect
The phenomenon that occurs when photons, the "particles" in a beam of light, knock electrons loose from the atoms they strike.
When this property of light is combined with the properties of semiconductors, electrons flow in one direction across a junction, setting up a voltage.
With the addition of circuitry, current will flow and electric power will be available.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic generator
The total of all photovoltaic strings of a photovoltaic power supply system, which are electrically interconnected.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic module
The smallest environmentally protected, essentially planar assembly of solar cells and ancillary parts, such as interconnections, terminals, [and protective devices such as diodes] intended to generate direct current power under unconcentrated sunlight.
The structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer (superstrate) or the back layer (substrate).
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic panel
Often used interchangeably with photovoltaic module (especially in one-module systems), but more accurately used to refer to a physically connected collection of modules (for example, a laminate string of modules used to achieve a required voltage and current).
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic system
A complete set of components for converting sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic process, including the array and balance of system components.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) system
A photovoltaic system that, in addition to converting sunlight into electricity, collects the residual heat energy and delivers both heat and electricity in usable form. Also called a "total energy system".
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 16)
thin film photovoltaic module
A photovoltaic module constructed with sequential layers of thin film semiconductor materials.
This entry is located in the following unit:
Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency Terms +
(page 22)