A type of window glazing films used to block the infrared (heat) portion of the solar spectrum but admit a higher portion of visible light.

The amount of heat required to raise a unit mass of a substance through one degree, expressed as a ratio of the amount of heat required to raise an equal mass of water through the same range.

The fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas.

A panel which covers the underside of an roof overhang, cantilever, or mansard.

One layer of glass in a window frame. It has very little insulating value (R-1) and provides only a thin barrier to the outside and can account for considerable heat loss and gain.

A type of automatic thermostat (used on solar heating systems) that responds to temperature differences (between collectors and the storage components) so as to regulate the functioning of appliances (to switch transfer fluid pumps on and off).

A type of structural, insulated product with foam insulation contained between two facings of drywall, or structural wood composition boards such as plywood, waferboard, and oriented strand board.

The total capacity of electrical generation devices in a power station or system.

The angle between a line from a point on the earth's surface to the center of the solar disc, and a line extending horizontally from the point.

Solar energy systems that collect or absorb solar energy for useful purposes. Can be used to generate high temperature heat (for electricity production and/or process heat), medium temperature heat (for process and space/water heating and electricity gene ...

A group of solar collectors or solar modules connected together.

The percentage of a building's seasonal energy requirements that can be met by a solar energy device(s) or system(s).

Any fuel that is in solid form, such as wood, peat, lignite, coal, and manufactured fuels such as pulverized coal, coke, charcoal, briquettes, pellets, etc.

A heating system in which steam or hot water for space heating or hot water is piped from a central boiler plant or electric power/heating plant to a cluster of buildings.

Energy loads that can be shut off or disconnected at the supplier's discretion or as determined by a contractual agreement between the supplier and the customer.

A glazed structure, such as greenhouse or "sunspace."

The legal issues related to protecting or ensuring access to sunlight to operate a solar energy system, or use solar energy for heating and cooling.

The difference between the brightness of an object compared to that of its immediate background.

A technique for insulating and sealing exterior walls that reduces vapor diffusion through air leakage points by installing pre-cut blocks of rigid foam insulation over floor joists, sheet subfloor, and top plates before drywall is installed.

In reference to solar photovoltaic devices, a material that is composed of a single crystal or a few large crystals.