Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth (EFG) — A method for making sheets of polycrystalline silicon for photovoltaic
devices in which molten silicon is drawn upward by capillary action through a mold.
Electric Circuit — The path followed by electrons from a power source (generator or battery), through an
electrical system, and returning to the source.
Electric Current — The flow of electrical energy (electricity) in a conductor, measured in amperes.
Electrical grid — An integrated system of electricity distribution, usually covering a large area.
Electricity — Energy resulting from the flow of charge particles, such as electrons or ions.
Electrochemical Cell — A device containing two conducting electrodes, one positive and the other negative,
made of dissimilar materials (usually metals) that are immersed in a chemical solution (electrolyte) that transmits
positive ions from the negative to the positive electrode and thus forms an electrical charge. One or more cells
constitute a battery.
Electrode — A conductor that is brought in conducting contact with a ground.
Electrodeposition — Electrolytic process in which a metal is deposited at the cathode from a solution of its ions.
Electrolyte — A nonmetallic (liquid or solid) conductor that carries current by the movement of ions (instead of
electrons) with the liberation of matter at the electrodes of an electrochemical cell.
Electron — An elementary particle of an atom with a negative electrical charge and a mass of 1/1837 of a proton;
electrons surround the positively charged nucleus of an atom and determine the chemical properties of an atom.
The movement of electrons in an electrical conductor constitutes an electric current.
Electron Volt (eV) — The amount of kinetic energy gained by an electron when accelerated through an electric
potential difference of 1 Volt; equivalent to 1.603 x 10^-19; a unit of energy or work.
Energy — The capability of doing work; different forms of energy can be converted to other forms, but the total
amount of energy remains the same.
Energy Audit — A survey that shows how much energy used in a home, which helps find ways to use less energy.
Energy Contribution Potential — Recombination occurring in the emitter region of a photovoltaic cell.
Energy Density — The ratio of available energy per pound; usually used to compare storage batteries.
Energy Levels — The energy represented by an electron in the band model of a substance.
Epitaxial Growth — The growth of one crystal on the surface of another crystal. The growth of the deposited
crystal is oriented by the lattice structure of the original crystal.
Equalization — The process of restoring all cells in a battery to an equal state-of-charge. Some battery types
may require a complete discharge as a part of the equalization process.
Equalization Charge — The process of mixing the electrolyte in batteries by periodically overcharging the
batteries for a short time.
Equalizing Charge — A continuation of normal battery charging, at a voltage level slightly higher than the normal
end-of-charge voltage, in order to provide cell equalization within a battery.
Equinox — The two times of the year when the sun crosses the equator and night and day are of equal length;
usually occurs on March 21st (spring equinox) and September 23 (fall equinox).
Extrinsic Semiconductor — The product of doping a pure semiconductor.
F
Fermi Level — Energy level at which the probability of finding an electron is one-half. In a metal, the Fermi level
is very near the top of the filled levels in the partially filled valence band. In a semiconductor, the Fermi level is in
the band gap.
Fill Factor — The ratio of a photovoltaic cell's actual power to its power if both current and voltage were at their
maxima. A key characteristic in evaluating cell performance.
Fixed Tilt Array — A photovoltaic array set in at a fixed angle with respect to horizontal.
Flat-Plate Array — A photovoltaic (PV) array that consists of non-concentrating PV modules.
Flat-Plate Module — An arrangement of photovoltaic cells or material mounted on a rigid flat surface with the
cells exposed freely to incoming sunlight.
Flat-Plate Photovoltaics (PV) — A PV array or module that consists of nonconcentrating elements. Flat-plate
arrays and modules use direct and diffuse sunlight, but if the array is fixed in position, some portion of the direct
sunlight is lost because of oblique sun-angles in relation to the array.
Float Charge — The voltage required to counteract the self-discharge of the battery at a certain temperature.
Float Life — The number of years that a battery can keep its stated capacity when it is kept at float charge.
Float Service — A battery operation in which the battery is normally connected to an external current source; for
instance, a battery charger which supplies the battery load< under normal conditions, while also providing
enough energy input to the battery to make up for its internal quiescent losses, thus keeping the battery always
up to full power and ready for service.
Float-Zone Process — A method of growing a large-size, high-quality crystal whereby coils heat a polycrystalline
ingot placed atop a single-crystal seed. As the coils are slowly raised the molten interface beneath the coils
becomes single crystal.
Float-Zone Process — In reference to solar photovoltaic cell manufacture, a method of growing a large-size, high-
quality crystal whereby coils heat a polycrystalline ingot placed atop a single-crystal seed. As the coils are slowly
raised the molten interface beneath the coils becomes a single crystal.
Frequency — The number of repetitions per unit time of a complete waveform, expressed in Hertz (Hz).
Frequency Regulation — This indicates the variability in the output frequency. Some loads will switch off or not
operate properly if frequency variations exceed 1%.
Fresnel Lens — An optical device that focuses light like a magnifying glass; concentric rings are faced at slightly
different angles so that light falling on any ring is focused to the same point.
Full Sun — The amount of power density in sunlight received at the earth's surface at noon on a clear day
(about 1,000 Watts/square meter).
devices in which molten silicon is drawn upward by capillary action through a mold.
Electric Circuit — The path followed by electrons from a power source (generator or battery), through an
electrical system, and returning to the source.
Electric Current — The flow of electrical energy (electricity) in a conductor, measured in amperes.
Electrical grid — An integrated system of electricity distribution, usually covering a large area.
Electricity — Energy resulting from the flow of charge particles, such as electrons or ions.
Electrochemical Cell — A device containing two conducting electrodes, one positive and the other negative,
made of dissimilar materials (usually metals) that are immersed in a chemical solution (electrolyte) that transmits
positive ions from the negative to the positive electrode and thus forms an electrical charge. One or more cells
constitute a battery.
Electrode — A conductor that is brought in conducting contact with a ground.
Electrodeposition — Electrolytic process in which a metal is deposited at the cathode from a solution of its ions.
Electrolyte — A nonmetallic (liquid or solid) conductor that carries current by the movement of ions (instead of
electrons) with the liberation of matter at the electrodes of an electrochemical cell.
Electron — An elementary particle of an atom with a negative electrical charge and a mass of 1/1837 of a proton;
electrons surround the positively charged nucleus of an atom and determine the chemical properties of an atom.
The movement of electrons in an electrical conductor constitutes an electric current.
Electron Volt (eV) — The amount of kinetic energy gained by an electron when accelerated through an electric
potential difference of 1 Volt; equivalent to 1.603 x 10^-19; a unit of energy or work.
Energy — The capability of doing work; different forms of energy can be converted to other forms, but the total
amount of energy remains the same.
Energy Audit — A survey that shows how much energy used in a home, which helps find ways to use less energy.
Energy Contribution Potential — Recombination occurring in the emitter region of a photovoltaic cell.
Energy Density — The ratio of available energy per pound; usually used to compare storage batteries.
Energy Levels — The energy represented by an electron in the band model of a substance.
Epitaxial Growth — The growth of one crystal on the surface of another crystal. The growth of the deposited
crystal is oriented by the lattice structure of the original crystal.
Equalization — The process of restoring all cells in a battery to an equal state-of-charge. Some battery types
may require a complete discharge as a part of the equalization process.
Equalization Charge — The process of mixing the electrolyte in batteries by periodically overcharging the
batteries for a short time.
Equalizing Charge — A continuation of normal battery charging, at a voltage level slightly higher than the normal
end-of-charge voltage, in order to provide cell equalization within a battery.
Equinox — The two times of the year when the sun crosses the equator and night and day are of equal length;
usually occurs on March 21st (spring equinox) and September 23 (fall equinox).
Extrinsic Semiconductor — The product of doping a pure semiconductor.
F
Fermi Level — Energy level at which the probability of finding an electron is one-half. In a metal, the Fermi level
is very near the top of the filled levels in the partially filled valence band. In a semiconductor, the Fermi level is in
the band gap.
Fill Factor — The ratio of a photovoltaic cell's actual power to its power if both current and voltage were at their
maxima. A key characteristic in evaluating cell performance.
Fixed Tilt Array — A photovoltaic array set in at a fixed angle with respect to horizontal.
Flat-Plate Array — A photovoltaic (PV) array that consists of non-concentrating PV modules.
Flat-Plate Module — An arrangement of photovoltaic cells or material mounted on a rigid flat surface with the
cells exposed freely to incoming sunlight.
Flat-Plate Photovoltaics (PV) — A PV array or module that consists of nonconcentrating elements. Flat-plate
arrays and modules use direct and diffuse sunlight, but if the array is fixed in position, some portion of the direct
sunlight is lost because of oblique sun-angles in relation to the array.
Float Charge — The voltage required to counteract the self-discharge of the battery at a certain temperature.
Float Life — The number of years that a battery can keep its stated capacity when it is kept at float charge.
Float Service — A battery operation in which the battery is normally connected to an external current source; for
instance, a battery charger which supplies the battery load< under normal conditions, while also providing
enough energy input to the battery to make up for its internal quiescent losses, thus keeping the battery always
up to full power and ready for service.
Float-Zone Process — A method of growing a large-size, high-quality crystal whereby coils heat a polycrystalline
ingot placed atop a single-crystal seed. As the coils are slowly raised the molten interface beneath the coils
becomes single crystal.
Float-Zone Process — In reference to solar photovoltaic cell manufacture, a method of growing a large-size, high-
quality crystal whereby coils heat a polycrystalline ingot placed atop a single-crystal seed. As the coils are slowly
raised the molten interface beneath the coils becomes a single crystal.
Frequency — The number of repetitions per unit time of a complete waveform, expressed in Hertz (Hz).
Frequency Regulation — This indicates the variability in the output frequency. Some loads will switch off or not
operate properly if frequency variations exceed 1%.
Fresnel Lens — An optical device that focuses light like a magnifying glass; concentric rings are faced at slightly
different angles so that light falling on any ring is focused to the same point.
Full Sun — The amount of power density in sunlight received at the earth's surface at noon on a clear day
(about 1,000 Watts/square meter).
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
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