Customer Resources

Volta Solar Energy

Acronym

PV

Word

Photovoltaics

Definition

The semiconducting process by which sunshine is converted into energy by way of solar cells and panels. A basic PV system is mainly composed of solar panels, racking, inverter(s) and wires.

AC

Alternating current

Alternating current is a type of current that alternates in direction (not just one way). AC is the current used by most household appliances in our homes.

DC

Direct current

Direct current is an electric current that flows in a single, constant direction. Solar panels and batteries generate direct current and must be converted to AC (see above) by “an

inverter” in order for the energy to be used by most household appliances.

Offset

Offset

Solar offset is how much their solar system will offset their current energy usage.

W

Watt

The watt is the basic unit of measurement for power generation.

kW

Kilowatt

One kilowatt = 1,000 watts. When solar installers talk about the size of solar installation (how much power it can generate in full sun), they typically refer to it in KW. For example, the average size of a U.S. home solar system is about 5 KW.

kWh

Kilowatt-hour

A kilowatt-hour measures the rate of energy consumption. One kilowatt-hour is equal to consuming 1,000 W for one hour. When solar installers talk about the amount of solar energy that can be generated over the course of a day, month or year, KWh is used.

MW

Megawatt

One megawatt = 1,000 kilowatts = 1 million watts. A really big solar farm could be hundreds of megawatts.

GW

Gigawatt

One gigawatt = 1,000 megawatts = 1 billion watts. The U.S. market has become a multi-gigawatt market over the past five years.

EV

Electric vehicle

An automobile that runs on electricity. You’ve heard of Tesla, right? More and more, people are charging their EVs via solar systems.

ITC or FTC

Investment Tax Credit

Extended last year by Congress, the 30% U.S. federal tax credit is awarded to residential, commercial and utility owners of solar energy systems.

PACE

Property-assessed clean energy

PACE is a way to finance the installation of renewable energy and energy efficiency for homeowners and businesses. PACE bonds fund clean energy installations within a city or state region. The homeowner receives a solar installation and energy-efficiency loan, which is paid back over a specified time period (usually 20 years). The loan is secured as a tax lien on the property, so PACE bonds are seen as being very secure. If the home or

business is ever sold, the PACE loan is automatically transferred to the new landowner until the loan is paid off.

NEM/net metering

Net Energy Metering

NEM is like cell phone rollover minutes for solar. The utility will credit solar owners for any excess energy they send back to the grid. The value of NEM credit is now being heavily debated in every state. It used to be that you could get a full credit for every solar kWh sent back to the grid. Now, utilities are only crediting customers with 25% to 75% of the credit.