The azimuth angle is the angle between true south and the point on the horizon directly below the sun. It specifies how many degrees the surface of the thermal collector or photovoltaic module deviates from the exact south-facing direction.The azimuth…

An angle of incidence is an angle made by between the light ray or wave hitting a surface and the line perpendicular to that surface. The intensity of solar radiation is largely a function of angle of incidence. As the…

Amorphous silicon is form of silicon. It is the non- crystalline allotropic form of silicon. Amorphous silicon can be deposited on thin films at low temperatures. Amorphous silicon has been used as a photovoltaic solar cell material for devices which…

The derate factor for the PV module nameplate DC rating accounts for the accuracy of the manufacturer’s nameplate rating. Field measurements of PV modules may show that the PV module powers are different than the nameplate rating or that they…

Solar Module/Panel refers to a single photovoltaic panel which is a packaged, connected assembly of solar cells. They are used as a component of a larger PV system when connected in series or parallel with other modules. When exposed to…

Load forecasting refers to the predicition of load behaviour for the future. Load forecasting is used by power companies to anticipate the amount of power needed to supply the demand. Solar resource forecasting predicts future energy output through numerical weather…

Light trapping is usually achieved by changing the angle at which light travels in the solar cell by having it be incident on an angled surface. A textured surface will not only reduce reflection but will also couple light obliquely…

Because of the disordered nature of amorphous silicon, solar cells are subject to the Staebler-Wronski effect, which reduces the solar cell efficiency by up to 15 percent within the first 1000 hours.This undesired effect is triggered by internal annihilation —…

A Lead Acid Battery is a common type of battery that uses Sponge Lead (Pb), Lead Peroxide as Electrodes and dilute sulphuric acid as the electrolyte. Deep cycle Lead acid batteries are commonly used as Solar Batteries. Lead Acid batteries…

Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) represents the kilowatt-hour cost of building and operating a power generation plant over an assumed financial life and duty cycle.   For a solar PV plant, the typical economic life is 25 years. Essentially, LCOE…