The amount of energy that a building absorbs due to solar energy striking its exterior and conducting to the interior or passing through windows and being absorbed by materials in the building.

A type of solar thermal system where air is heated in a collector and either transferred directly to the interior space or to a storage medium, such as a rock bin.

The process of modifying the characteristics of electrical power (for e.g., inverting dc to AC).

The angle between the sun's apparent position in the sky and true south, as measured on a horizontal plane.

The amount of power per unit area of a free windstream.

The process of distributing electricity; usually defines that portion of an electrical utility's power lines between a utility's power pole and transformer and a customer's point of connection/meter.

See Solar Module.

A window glazing coating, usually tinted bronze or gray, used to reduce building cooling loads, glare, and fabric fading.

A connection or link between power systems that enables them to draw on each other's reserve capacity in time of need.

The amount of solar radiation, both direct and diffuse, received at any location.

A federally funded institute, created by the Solar Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1974, that conducted research and development of solar energy technologies. Became the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 1991.

The elements and compounds that result from the combustion of a fuel.

A device that achieves very high temperatures by the use of reflectors to focus and concentrate sunlight onto a small receiver.

(see Feeder)

A device used to collect, absorb, and transfer solar energy to a working fluid.

A solar photovoltaic device that produces a specified power output under defined test conditions, usually composed of groups of solar cells connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel combinations.

The structure (in a residential heating appliance, industrial furnace, or power plant) into which combustion gases flow and are contained until they are emitted to the atmosphere.

The ratio of energy reflected from a surface in a given waveband to the energy incident in that waveband.

The gas resulting from the combustion of a fuel that is emitted to the flue.

Solar energy conversion technologies that convert solar energy to electricity, by heating a working fluid to power a turbine that drives a generator. Examples of these systems include central receiver systems, parabolic dish, and solar trough.