Load (electric)
Any device or appliance (or set of devices or appliances)
which uses electrical power. This contrasts with “live load”
which relates to forces exerted on structural members.
Low-emissivity glass
Glass with a low-emissivity coating on one surface. This allows
short-wavelength energy from the sun to pass through but
reflects long-wavelength energy back in.
Low-iron glass
“White” glass providing high transparency.
M Spandrel
Maximum power-point tracker (MPPT)
Part of a PV inverter which functions as an optimal electrical
load for PV modules.
Monocrystalline silicon
Silicon for a PV cell that has a single and continuous crystal
lattice structure with almost no defects or impurities. “Single”
is used interchangeably with the prefix “mono”.
Multi-junction cells
Two or more different cells with more than one p-n junction.
Such an arrangement allows a greater portion of the sun’s
spectrum to be converted to electricity.
N
Nominal array power
The power rating of a PV array in WP, as measured under
standard test conditions (STC).
P
p-n junction
A zone in a piece of semiconductor material formed by differ-
ent doping types. This is the usual configuration for a PV cell.
Parallel connection
A method of interconnecting two or more electricity producing
or power-using devices, such that the voltage produced is not
increased. However the current is additive. This is opposite to
series connection.
Photovoltaic (PV) cell
A semiconductor device that converts light to electricity using
the photovoltaic effect.
Polycrystalline silicon
Silicon that has solidified at such a rate that many small crys-
tals (crystallites) are formed. The atoms within a single crys-
tallite are symmetrically arranged, whereas the crystallites
are jumbled together. “Multi” is used interchangeably with the
prefix “poly”.
Pressure-equalised
The technique of equalising pressure across different cavities
in the build-up of façade to avoid rainwater being driven by
kinetic energy through the façade.
PV module
A collection of interconnected PV cells encapsulated between
protective materials (glass, polymers etc), sometimes
mounted in an aluminium frame.
R Unity of energy; one Wh is consumed when one watt of power
Rainscreen
A relatively cheap, open-jointed cladding system that is
erected on rails on a waterproofed blockwork wall, or similar.
14. GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND INDEX
S
Series connection
A method of interconnecting devices that generate or use
electricity so that the voltage is additive. The same current
passes through each part of the circuit. This is the opposite of
parallel connection.
Solar-selective glass
Glass with a solar-selective coating on one surface. This allows
the visible spectrum of the radiation to pass through the glass
and to reflect part of the long wavelength outward.
A type of cladding panel which occurs at floor level to hide the
building superstructure, raised floor and false ceiling. It pro-
vides insulation and a smoke stop zone.
Standard test conditions (STC)
Standard test conditions are defined as an irradiance of
1000W/m2 at normal incidence, a spectral distribution of that
irradiance equivalent to AM1.5 and a cell temperature of 25°C.
Stand-alone (PV system)
An autonomous or hybrid photovoltaic system not connected
to a grid. Most stand-alone systems require batteries or some
other form of electricity storage.
Stick system
A type of curtain walling where individual mullions and tran-
soms are assembled on site to form a secondary frame to
which cladding panels are attached.
String
A number of PV modules connected together electrically in
series.
Structural glazing
A system of retaining glass or other materials to the alumin-
ium members of a curtain wall using silicon sealant. These
systems use no mechanical fasteners, and as a result have no
profiles casting shadows on the glazing surface.
System yield
Useful energy supplied to the load by the PV system, which is
expressed as a function of the nominal array power (kWh per
kWP) and over one year.
T
Tedlar
Dupont trade name for a film of polyvinyl fluoride (PVF). A
commonly used laminate for the back surface of PV modules.
U
Unitised system
A type of curtain walling where mullions, transoms and clad-
ding panels are factory-assembled into units, often 1.5m wide
by a storey height, before delivery to site.
W
Watt (W)
Unit of power. Check context because it can refer to light
energy with irradiance or electrical energy.
Watt-hour (Wh)
is used for a period of one hour.
Watt peak (WP)
Power output of a PV module under standard test conditions.
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