A quick and easy reference of solar related terms and definitions that can be technical or industry-specific. For readers who are new to solar energy, knowing the terms can help you to better understand the language and concepts associated with solar energy and installation and equip you with the knowledge to ask the right questions for your solar journey.
Base demand is the lowest amount of energy that your household draws from the electricity grid in a set period of time, for example, a day, a week, a month, a season, or a year. Your base demand will occur when you have the minimum amount of electrical devices switched on at once, usually those devices like refrigerators and freezers that need to be on 24/7 to function.
A battery is a device that stores excess electricity generated by a solar panel system for later use, typically at night or on cloudy days. However, including batteries as part of your solar system can cost twice as much as the base solar energy system.
A distribution utility (DU) works like an electricity delivery service. It takes power from the electricity grid and sends it through the lines to homes and businesses that need it. It’s the middleman that ensures electricity gets to its destinations safely and dependably.
An electricity grid is an interconnected network for electricity delivery from producers to consumers, and consists of power plants, substations, transmission lines, and distribution lines.
By installing solar panels on your house, you effectively put a power plant on your property, and bypass the infrastructure of the electricity grid.
Hybrid grid-tied systems are connected to the electrical grid but also have a battery backup system. This allows homeowners to store excess electricity generated by their solar panels and use it during power outages.
An off-grid residential solar panel system is not connected to the electrical grid and relies on batteries to store excess electricity.
Off-grid systems are designed to operate independently from the electrical grid. They are typically used in remote areas where access to the grid is limited or nonexistent.
A grid-tied residential solar panel system (also known as on-grid system) is connected to the electrical grid and can send excess electricity back to the grid. This type of system is the most common and popular choice for residential homeowners to take advantage of net metering. On a cloudy day when the household requires more power than the solar panels can generate, electricity is imported from the grid.
An inverter is a required equipment to be installed as part of a solar panel system. In general, it is a device that converts DC electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used in homes. There are mainly three types of inverters used in solar panel systems for homes - micro inverter, power inverter, or string inverter. Refer to each term for specific definitions.
Micro inverters, as their name suggests, are small inverters that are installed on each individual solar panel. Each panel operates independently, resulting in higher overall efficiency in shady or cloudy environments. They are typically costlier than string inverters and are harder to install and maintain. Microinverters are suitable for homeowners who prioritize efficiency over cost-effectiveness.
A power inverter, or power optimizer, is an alternative add-on option for homeowners who want to increase efficiency without the higher cost of micro inverters. It can be used as part of a flexible system design. You can speak to our Sol experts to determine the suitable equipment combination for your household needs and preferences.
String inverters are the most common type of inverter used in solar panel systems. They are easy to install and maintain, typically located in a central location and are connected to multiple solar panels in a series, or "string." String inverters are a good cost-effective choice for most homeowners.
A kilowatt (kW) is a measure of one thousand watts of electrical power. It is a unit of measurement for the rate of power an electrical device (like a light bulb, an aircon, a microwave, or a refrigerator) uses. The higher the kW of a device, the more electrical power is needed to operate it. Electrical devices require different amounts of power to function, and the amount of power required to operate a device (its “load”) is usually labeled directly on the device.
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a measure of one thousand watts of electrical energy - one kilowatt of power for one hour. Kilowatt hours are the common billing unit for electrical energy supplied by electric utilities to consumers. For example, if you use your microwave on ‘high power’ (100 watts, for example) for one hour, you will consume 100 watt hours (Wh) of energy. If the total load of all of your devices at home (lights, aircon, refrigerator, TV, etc.) is 2,000 watts (2kW), and you run all of these at once all day and all night (24-hours), you will consume 48kWh of energy (2kW x 24-hours).
An electrical load is the portion of a circuit that consumes (active) electric power, such as electrical appliances or lights inside the home.
A load profile is a graph of the variation in the electrical load versus time. A load profile will vary according to how many electrical devices you have on at once, and will vary each day, depending on how much time you are at home, how many people are at home, the activities you do, and even the time of year (you may use more aircon during hotter months, for example).
Net metering is a billing arrangement where excess electricity generated by a solar panel system is sent back to the grid and credited to the residential rooftop solar system owners account.With net metering, residential rooftop solar system owners get paid for sharing extra energy produced from their homes. It allows them to sell the extra energy they produce back to the electric company. Later, when they need power, they can use the credits they earned to cover their bill.
Peak demand is the highest amount of energy that your household draws from the electricity grid in a set period of time, for example, a day, a week, a month, a season, or a year. Your peak demand will occur when you have the maximum amount of electrical devices switched on at once.
A photovoltaic (PV) system is a solar panel system that generates electricity by converting sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
A solar array is a group of solar panels that work together to generate electricity. When considering how many panels are required, your household usage is typically considered. To find out how many solar panels in a solar array is required for your household, try our Solve calculator.
Solar energy and solar power are sometimes used interchangeably, although it might be useful to note the differences. Solar energy refers to energy generated by the sun’s rays; solar power refers to electricity generated by a solar panel system.
A solar energy system generates electricity from sunlight using solar panels.
Financial incentives are typically offered by governments to citizens to encourage the adoption of solar panel systems or other renewable energy solutions. This varies from time to time and differs by federal, state, or country.
A solar installer is typically a professional who installs solar panel systems on residential or commercial properties. At SolViva, installers undergo training and certification; installer profiles are sent to homeowners for review before installation.
A contract where a homeowner leases a solar panel system from a solar company in exchange for a fixed monthly payment.
A loan that homeowners can use to finance the purchase of a solar panel system. This is typically offered by the bank and can range in terms of upfront payment, interest rates and repayment terms. Check with your preferred bank for any applicable loans, or check out financing options offered by UB.
A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that generate electrons when exposed to light. The electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current (DC) electricity, which can be used to power various devices or be stored in batteries.
The percentage of sunlight that a solar panel can convert into electricity.
Solar energy and solar power are sometimes used interchangeably, although it might be useful to note the differences. Solar power refers to electricity generated by a solar panel system; solar energy refers to energy generated by the sun’s rays.
Base demand is the lowest amount of energy that your household draws from the electricity grid in a set period of time, for example, a day, a week, a month, a season, or a year. Your base demand will occur when you have the minimum amount of electrical devices switched on at once, usually those devices like refrigerators and freezers that need to be on 24/7 to function.
A battery is a device that stores excess electricity generated by a solar panel system for later use, typically at night or on cloudy days. However, including batteries as part of your solar system can cost twice as much as the base solar energy system.
A distribution utility (DU) works like an electricity delivery service. It takes power from the electricity grid and sends it through the lines to homes and businesses that need it. It’s the middleman that ensures electricity gets to its destinations safely and dependably.
An electricity grid is an interconnected network for electricity delivery from producers to consumers, and consists of power plants, substations, transmission lines, and distribution lines.
By installing solar panels on your house, you effectively put a power plant on your property, and bypass the infrastructure of the electricity grid.
Hybrid grid-tied systems are connected to the electrical grid but also have a battery backup system. This allows homeowners to store excess electricity generated by their solar panels and use it during power outages.
An off-grid residential solar panel system is not connected to the electrical grid and relies on batteries to store excess electricity.
Off-grid systems are designed to operate independently from the electrical grid. They are typically used in remote areas where access to the grid is limited or nonexistent.
A grid-tied residential solar panel system (also known as on-grid system) is connected to the electrical grid and can send excess electricity back to the grid. This type of system is the most common and popular choice for residential homeowners to take advantage of net metering. On a cloudy day when the household requires more power than the solar panels can generate, electricity is imported from the grid.
Net metering is a billing arrangement where excess electricity generated by a solar panel system is sent back to the grid and credited to the residential rooftop solar system owners account.With net metering, residential rooftop solar system owners get paid for sharing extra energy produced from their homes. It allows them to sell the extra energy they produce back to the electric company. Later, when they need power, they can use the credits they earned to cover their bill.
A load profile is a graph of the variation in the electrical load versus time. A load profile will vary according to how many electrical devices you have on at once, and will vary each day, depending on how much time you are at home, how many people are at home, the activities you do, and even the time of year (you may use more aircon during hotter months, for example).
An electrical load is the portion of a circuit that consumes (active) electric power, such as electrical appliances or lights inside the home.
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a measure of one thousand watts of electrical energy - one kilowatt of power for one hour. Kilowatt hours are the common billing unit for electrical energy supplied by electric utilities to consumers. For example, if you use your microwave on ‘high power’ (100 watts, for example) for one hour, you will consume 100 watt hours (Wh) of energy. If the total load of all of your devices at home (lights, aircon, refrigerator, TV, etc.) is 2,000 watts (2kW), and you run all of these at once all day and all night (24-hours), you will consume 48kWh of energy (2kW x 24-hours).
A kilowatt (kW) is a measure of one thousand watts of electrical power. It is a unit of measurement for the rate of power an electrical device (like a light bulb, an aircon, a microwave, or a refrigerator) uses. The higher the kW of a device, the more electrical power is needed to operate it. Electrical devices require different amounts of power to function, and the amount of power required to operate a device (its “load”) is usually labeled directly on the device.
String inverters are the most common type of inverter used in solar panel systems. They are easy to install and maintain, typically located in a central location and are connected to multiple solar panels in a series, or "string." String inverters are a good cost-effective choice for most homeowners.
A power inverter, or power optimizer, is an alternative add-on option for homeowners who want to increase efficiency without the higher cost of micro inverters. It can be used as part of a flexible system design. You can speak to our Sol experts to determine the suitable equipment combination for your household needs and preferences.
Micro inverters, as their name suggests, are small inverters that are installed on each individual solar panel. Each panel operates independently, resulting in higher overall efficiency in shady or cloudy environments. They are typically costlier than string inverters and are harder to install and maintain. Microinverters are suitable for homeowners who prioritize efficiency over cost-effectiveness.
An inverter is a required equipment to be installed as part of a solar panel system. In general, it is a device that converts DC electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used in homes. There are mainly three types of inverters used in solar panel systems for homes - micro inverter, power inverter, or string inverter. Refer to each term for specific definitions.
Peak demand is the highest amount of energy that your household draws from the electricity grid in a set period of time, for example, a day, a week, a month, a season, or a year. Your peak demand will occur when you have the maximum amount of electrical devices switched on at once.
A photovoltaic (PV) system is a solar panel system that generates electricity by converting sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
A solar array is a group of solar panels that work together to generate electricity. When considering how many panels are required, your household usage is typically considered. To find out how many solar panels in a solar array is required for your household, try our Solve calculator.
Solar energy and solar power are sometimes used interchangeably, although it might be useful to note the differences. Solar energy refers to energy generated by the sun’s rays; solar power refers to electricity generated by a solar panel system.
A solar energy system generates electricity from sunlight using solar panels.
Financial incentives are typically offered by governments to citizens to encourage the adoption of solar panel systems or other renewable energy solutions. This varies from time to time and differs by federal, state, or country.
A solar installer is typically a professional who installs solar panel systems on residential or commercial properties. At SolViva, installers undergo training and certification; installer profiles are sent to homeowners for review before installation.
A contract where a homeowner leases a solar panel system from a solar company in exchange for a fixed monthly payment.
A loan that homeowners can use to finance the purchase of a solar panel system. This is typically offered by the bank and can range in terms of upfront payment, interest rates and repayment terms. Check with your preferred bank for any applicable loans, or check out financing options offered by UB.
A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that generate electrons when exposed to light. The electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current (DC) electricity, which can be used to power various devices or be stored in batteries.
The percentage of sunlight that a solar panel can convert into electricity.
Solar energy and solar power are sometimes used interchangeably, although it might be useful to note the differences. Solar power refers to electricity generated by a solar panel system; solar energy refers to energy generated by the sun’s rays.
Collection of common questions and answers we’ve heard from customers across topics such as solar energy, installation, financing, maintenance.
Collection of carefully curated solar resources like articles and videos, all designed to help you learn more about solar energy.