Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Photovoltaic Systems
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Photovoltaic Installation Techniques course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Photovoltaic Systems Glossary #
Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Photovoltaic Systems Glossary
1. Array #
- A group of interconnected solar panels that work together to generate electric… #
The array is the basic building block of a photovoltaic system.
2. Bypass Diode #
- A diode connected in parallel with individual solar cells or modules within a… #
It allows current to bypass a shaded or malfunctioning cell, preventing the entire array from being affected.
3. Charge Controller #
- A device that regulates the flow of electricity from the solar panels to the b… #
It prevents overcharging and maximizes the lifespan of the batteries.
4. DC Disconnect #
- A switch or circuit breaker that allows the DC power generated by the solar pa… #
- A switch or circuit breaker that allows the DC power generated by the solar panels to be disconnected from the rest of the system for maintenance or troubleshooting purposes.
5. Efficiency #
- A measure of how well a solar panel converts sunlight into electricity #
It is typically expressed as a percentage and indicates the amount of sunlight that is converted into usable electrical power.
6. Fault Finding #
- The process of identifying and correcting issues or malfunctions within a phot… #
Fault finding is essential for maintaining the system's performance and efficiency.
7. Grid #
Tied System:
- A photovoltaic system that is connected to the utility grid #
Excess electricity generated by the system can be fed back into the grid, and electricity can be drawn from the grid when needed.
8. Inverter #
- A device that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the so… #
- A device that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used to power household appliances.
9. Junction Box #
- A weatherproof enclosure located on the back of a solar panel that houses the… #
- A weatherproof enclosure located on the back of a solar panel that houses the electrical connections between the panel and the rest of the system.
10. Kilowatt #
Hour (kWh):
- A unit of electrical energy equivalent to one kilowatt of power consumed for o… #
It is commonly used to measure electricity consumption and production.
11. Load #
- The amount of electrical power consumed by devices or appliances connected to… #
It is important to properly size the system to meet the expected load requirements.
12. Maximum Power Point (MPP) #
- The point on the current-voltage curve of a solar panel where the power output… #
Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology is used in inverters to ensure optimal performance.
13. Net Metering #
- A billing arrangement that allows owners of grid-tied photovoltaic systems to… #
- A billing arrangement that allows owners of grid-tied photovoltaic systems to receive credit for excess electricity generated by their system and fed back into the grid.
14. Ohm's Law #
- A fundamental principle in electrical engineering that states the relationship… #
It is expressed as V = I * R, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance.
15. Performance Ratio #
- A metric used to evaluate the efficiency of a photovoltaic system by comparing… #
A higher performance ratio indicates better system performance.
16. Quality Assurance #
- The process of ensuring that a photovoltaic system meets specified standards a… #
Quality assurance is essential for the long-term reliability and safety of the system.
17. Remote Monitoring #
- The use of sensors and communication technologies to monitor the performance a… #
Remote monitoring allows for real-time data collection and analysis.
18. Series Connection #
- A wiring configuration in which the positive terminal of one solar panel is co… #
Series connections increase the system's voltage.
19. Temperature Coefficient #
- A measure of how a solar panel's electrical performance is affected by changes… #
The temperature coefficient indicates the percentage decrease in power output for every degree increase in temperature.
20. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation #
- Electromagnetic radiation from the sun with a wavelength shorter than visible… #
UV radiation can degrade the materials used in photovoltaic systems over time, affecting system performance.
21. Voltage Drop #
- The decrease in voltage that occurs as electricity flows through a circuit or… #
Voltage drop can affect the performance of a photovoltaic system and should be minimized to ensure optimal operation.
22. Wattage #
- A unit of power equal to one joule per second #
Wattage is used to measure the electrical output of solar panels and other devices in a photovoltaic system.
23. Xenon Test #
- A type of accelerated aging test used to evaluate the durability and performan… #
Xenon tests expose panels to intense UV radiation and temperature cycling to simulate long-term exposure to sunlight.
24. Yield #
- The amount of electricity produced by a photovoltaic system over a specific pe… #
Yield is influenced by factors such as sunlight intensity, temperature, and system efficiency.
25. Zero #
Export System:
- A grid-tied photovoltaic system configured to prevent any excess electricity f… #
Zero-export systems are designed to maximize self-consumption of generated energy.