Photovoltaic panel support terminology

What is a photovoltaic module?

Photovoltaic (PV) 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.

What is a photovoltaic solar system?

A Photovoltaic solar system. A linked collection of solar panels on a roof is called an ‘array’. Power density is the amount of power per mass. PV inverters are measured by power density. The higher the power per mass, the better the inverter.

What is the difference between a solar panel and a stand-alone system?

Solar Panel – A module composed of solar photovoltaic materials that turn sunlight into electricity. Stand-alone system – An autonomous or hybrid photovoltaic system not connected to a grid.

What is a photovoltaic (PV) cell?

Photovoltaic (PV) 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.

What is a PV panel?

Photovoltaic (PV) Panel: Often used interchangeably with PV module (especially in onemodule systems), but more accurately used to refer to a physically connected collection of modules (i.e., a laminate string of modules used to achieve a required voltage and current).

What is the AM measurement for photovoltaic solar panels?

The AM measurement for photovoltaic solar panels at standard test conditions (STC) is 1.5AM. Amorphous silicon – Amorphous semiconductor – Thin-film, the non-crystalline semiconductor material that can be used in the production of solar electricity via the photovoltaic effect.