One of the most common questions we get as a Bay Area roofing contractor is, “Do I need a new roof if I want to install solar panels?”.

Some residents and business owners understandably worry about the roof’s integrity and size before considering Bay Area solar roofing installations:

•  “Will my current roof be enough to accommodate an array of solar panels?”
• “Will solar roofing cause leaks or compromise the overall structure of my roof?”
• “Is my roof large enough for a solar panel installation?”
• “Is my roof positioned to get the most sunlight?”

These are all valid concerns, but keep in mind that solar panel systems can be set up elsewhere, too, not just your roof.

It’s true that a solar company will first look at your roof as a viable platform for the solar panel installation, but there are other possible locations for it as well. Detached garages, poles, ground mounts and shade awnings are all good examples of solar panel spots. In some instances, your Bay Area roofing contractor may even install your solar panels on the ground because the roof is covered with shading. It’s all about finding the optimal location to best suit your needs.

Assessing Your Roof’s Condition for Solar Panels

If your roofing contractor deems that your roof is in a poor condition, then it would be a wise idea to have them replaced before installing the solar panel system. This will save you money and unnecessary headaches in the long run because you won’t have to re-install the solar panels when time comes and you need to replace the roof. Doing so will require additional solar panel removal and re-installation fees.

A good licensed roofing contractor can determine the condition of your roof and recommend the best course of action before installing solar roofing. Solar panels actually help you get more out of your new roof as it blocks out the harmful UV rays and protects it from hail, snow, and rain. Plus, it keeps the heat out from your home during the hot summer months!

The good news is that solar panels may be installed on almost all kinds of roofs, whether tile or composite. Shingle roofs and single plane roofs are the easiest ones to work with when installing new solar panels.

Contact the Leading Bay Area Solar Roofing Company

Checking to see if your current roof’s condition is good and if it’s sturdy enough is important if you want the best Bay Area solar roofing installation. Our licensed East Bay Area roofing contractors here to help you! Contact Century Roof Tile for any of your roofing or solar concerns at (888) 233-7548 or use our online contact form here.

Being in an age where having environmentally friendly everyday items is becoming more and more commonplace, solar roofing panels are quickly taking over neighborhoods across America. Not only do they look great, but they are environmentally friendly, save you money on electric bills, and last for many many years.

There are two main types of solar roofing called Crystalline and BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic). Both of these electricity making systems have a moderate cost when it comes to the initial installation, but over time they’ll pay for themselves by saving you money on energy bills. By cutting down the reliance on electricity, they have a positive effect on the environment by reducing pollution caused from power plants.

Recently solar roofing has been picking up at quite a fast pace. Many people jump to negative conclusions about the installation of a solar roof, with the belief that you have to make large holes in your roof and bring in heavy duty equipment to hold the panels.

However, that isn’t the case. With all the advancements in the field of solar energy roofing technology, today’s solar roofing products have all the benefits of lightweight tiles, ease of installation, and strong durability. These are just a handful of reasons solar roofing a great choice.

Solar roofs mainly consist of solar roof tiles, but can also consist of solar panels. Solar tiles are less prominent than large solar panels, which are fitted on top of the current roofing system. Solar tiles can be easily adjusted into the roofing shingles, and easily blend into the roof type because of their dark blue gray appearance. A person who doesn’t know about the presence of the solar roof tiles would not be able to identify them at the first glance. Solar tiles weigh 2-3 pounds for every square foot, making it easier to install when compared to heavier solar panels.

Solar roofing is very helpful if you are trying to avoid or cut down on a costly electricity bill. In the long run, and if installed correctly, solar roofing will prove less costly, and in some cases even eliminate the whole electricity bill. You may even be able to supply power to other homes if your energy consumption is small enough. Taking these factors into consideration, solar roofing could be a real great investment for you.

Contact Our Bay Area Solar Company Today

Whether you want solar roofing to save money on your electricity bills or to contribute towards reducing your energy consumption, having them fitted by a professional roofing contractor is a must. Having solar panels is a great step in the right direction to help protect the Earth and our environment. If you are interested in learning more about solar panels or solar tile installation, contact us online today or give us a call at (510) 780-9489.

Heat on solar tiles does impact the way your green technology works, but not exactly in the way the conventional wisdom might have you believe. More heat beaming down on your roof actually starts to reduce the efficiency of the solution after a certain point. What accounts for this counter-intuitive result? The energy that comes from the sun’s rays translates to power, but this energy is not necessarily equivalent to the amount of heat generated by sunlight.

So what does this quirk of physics mean for you as a homeowner or landlord?

If you look into solar solutions, scan through the manufacturer’s information for the temperature coefficient. This metric will tell you how much your energy production decreases when the panels heat up past a certain point. The opposite is also true, by the way. Cooler temperatures can allow certain solar technologies to absorb more of the sun’s rays and increase the energy output.

You can also look at the efficiency rating. This metric indicates the usable percentage of sunlight that the solar technology will absorb. This rating impacts the amount of space you will need to dedicate to a solar solution installation.

Ask your solar company for advice on the best solar technology for your location. Whether you live in a warm environment where temperatures regularly rise or you’re situated in a foggy, windy, shady spot near the Bay will impact the solutions that are appropriate for you as well as your ideal solar cell placement. For the maximum efficiency, you must match your solar solution for your geography and landscape.

Our East Bay Roofing Experts Know Solar!

Our team can help with these calculations, so you can maximize the value of a remodel or investment. Call (888) 233-7548 or fill out a contact form today!

It has been four decades since California’s Solar Rights Act came into effect, firmly establishing the state’s policy of encouraging solar. Six sections of law[1] spelled out protections for solar energy installations while also establishing technical standards to be followed by the solar company.

But local administrative support and permitting requirements have remained remarkably uneven. In the midst of the recent colossal increase in solar installations, state officials have recognized that red tape and permitting costs still stood in the way for many homeowners looking to implement photovoltaic and other solar solutions. There was also a difficulty within homeowners’ associations, which sometimes thwarted solar installations by their members.

In response, California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi introduced AB 2188, which passed into law in September (shortly before Muratsuchi was unseated in November elections). The law gives cities and counties one year, until September 30, 2015, to implement the following:

• Adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, meaning ≤10 kW AC or 30 kW thermal systems on a single or duplex family dwelling. The new permitting process must comply with recommendations and standard plans in the latest California Solar Permitting Guidebook.
• Adopt a checklist of all requirements for small rooftop solar energy systems to be eligible for expedited review. Again, this checklist must come from the Solar Permitting Guidebook.
• Publish the checklist and required permitting documentation for public access on the city/county website, if one exists. (The League of California Cities had opposed AB 2188 on the grounds that a website was a considerable expense; this language would ease that expense for towns too small to operate a website.)

Not only must the permit application and documentation be published online, but the applicant must be able to submit them online as well, and an electronic signature must be accepted. If the application is complete, the city or county must then approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Then “only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection.” An allowance is made for separate fire inspection if the local government does not have an agreement with its fire department to do this. (If the application is incomplete, the city/county must notify the applicant what is needed to properly complete it.) 

Some homeowners wishing to install solar roofing or solar heating systems have run afoul of the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) of homeowners’ associations. However, according to the new law, local governments are not allowed to condition permitting approval on approval of an association, defined in Civil Code § 4080. Civil Code 714 still allows homeowners’ associations to put reasonable restrictions on solar energy systems provided the restrictions do not significantly increase system costs or decrease efficiency; however, the word “significantly” has been redefined. It formerly meant a 20 percent increase in cost or decrease in efficiency; it now means a 10 percent increase in cost or decrease in efficiency.

Solar Roofing Installations are One of Our Specialties!

The team here at Century Roof and Solar can introduce you to technology that helps homeowners save money and the planet by using energy from the sun. Contact us today at (888) 233-7548 and let us help you with your solar energy roofing.

[1] California Civil Code §714 and 714.1, 801, 801.5; California Government Code §65850.5, 66475.3, and 66473.1; and California Health and Safety Code §17959.1.

Burning fossil fuels has a direct impact on the levels of CO2 and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Driving cars, turning on lights, bathing, and cooking all indirectly serve to elevate CO2 levels. Left unchecked, high concentrations of CO2 gas in the atmosphere could unpredictably alter the world’s climate.

Solar solutions can help reduce CO2 pollution and effectively reduce the amount of greenhouse energy consumed residentially and commercially. Those who choose to install solar enjoy energy savings of up to 80%, and they can receive grants, tax breaks, and other subsidies to offset the initial cost of investment.

Solar roofing solutions are also space saving and practical, both for homeowners and businesses. Thanks to the advent of cool technologies, like solar roofing shingles that look and act almost exactly like traditional wooden shingles, you can transform your property without adding a “showy” or cumbersome solar array. You can implement these kinds of roofing reforms almost anywhere – even in urban and largely shaded areas — and the savings may cover the cost of the investment in only a few years.

Modern designs are discreet; they can capture the sun’s rays even on cloudy days and in cooler weather. The only time these systems will not absorb energy is at night. Engineers have designed solutions that harness enough energy during the day to account for the unusable time at night.

The nation currently has enough installations to offset the costs of powering over a million homes. If the trend toward solar and other renewables continues to rise, the impact may be strong enough to slow down or stop the effects of CO2 emissions on the climate.

Contact Us to Save Money with Solar Roofing Solutions

If you’re interested in saving money while saving the planet, and you’re looking for a Bay Area solar company, please consider getting in touch for a free consultation. Give us a call at (510) 780-9489.

The market’s desire for solar solutions is spiking. Thanks in part to fears generated by climate change, Californians have been focusing relentlessly over the past few years on expanding the solar energy market. Bay Area solar companies, in turn, are capitalizing on government benefits that incentivize consumers to use alternative energy sources.

Several prominent solar rebate programs have attempted to speed up this positive change. One program reimburses homeowners for outfitting their existing homes with photovoltaics and other alternative heat generation systems. Water heaters powered by solar energy are also deductible. Owners of rental properties can realize tax benefits simply by refitting solar tiles to their housing. Homeowners can also take advantage of a green energy rebate called MASH.

Finally, some companies researching new alternative energy sources now can have access to state and federal grant money to develop better methods of green energy collection.

Should California residents continue to invest their tax dollars on solar infrastructure, education, and technologies? Pure libertarians have criticized these programs, saying that we’d be better off allowing the free market to set prices and determine energy tech winners and losers. On the other hand, supporters point out that a recent solar boom has created tens of thousands of jobs for Californian citizens, and the amount of water needed to cool traditional power plants has dropped. For a state frequently beset by fresh water concerns, this is a huge boon.

Residents have also seen positive environmental effects. The carbon footprint in California has noticeably decreased since the advent of more prominent solar technology. Less air pollution means a drop in the risk of several forms of cancer. Perhaps most importantly, California is becoming a solar leader for the United States, showing the rest of the country how homeowners and investors who take little steps with respect to solar can generate big returns to our society.

Get Help from Bay Area Solar Solutions Experts

For help integrating solar energy into your life to save money or support your business or real estate purchase, contact our solar roofing installations team today at (510) 780-9489 for an estimate.

Whether you’re installing a solar solution for your Bay Area home’s energy needs or you’re just comparing solar with a more traditional energy setups for your San Francisco business, here are ten important solar energy terms to know and understand.

1. Solar array

An array is an assemblage of modules that work together to generate electrical output for your home or business at a particular voltage. Arrays are often customized to maximize the shape of the building and the efficiency of the photovoltaic modules.

2. Solar cell

This is the simplest photovoltaic powerhouse. Much like a standard battery might contain several cells; similarly, a single module usually contains multiple cells. Multiple modules are built up into an array.

3. Photovoltaic (PV)

Much like how plants convert radiation from the sun to usable biological energy via photosynthesis, a photovoltaic cell converts solar light into usable electricity.

4. Net metering

Net metering is a pretty neat concept that demonstrates how solar can be tremendously efficient. A sophisticated meter determines how much power your home uses and then adjusts the extent to which you tap your system based on your energy needs and how much electricity your system is generating. It’s roughly analogous to a buffet restaurant rule: “have all you can eat, but eat all you take.”

5. Irradiance

This measurement of electrical power tells you how much solar energy is bombarding a particular surface, such as one of your photovoltaic modules, over a given time.

6. Peak sun hours

When the sun is bright and shiny, the irradiance can cross over a key threshold of a 1000 watts per metered squared. If the irradiance crests above this number for four hours in a day, that means you get four “peak sun hours” for that day.

7. Photovoltaic module

This is the smallest integrated grouping of parts in solar cells capable of transforming sunlight into power.

8. Energy

In the context of solar power systems, “energy” has actually a very specific definition: it’s a measurement of the ability to perform work, as measured in units called joules.

9. Efficiency of solar cells

No solar cell is 100% efficient – that is, some of the solar energy that hits the unit will be reflected or lost or converted into useless heat energy. Cell efficiency measures what percentage of the sun’s energy can be converted into usable electrical energy.

10. Annual solar savings

A fun number to find out: this is the money you will save every year by leveraging the power that your solar system generates for you or your business.

For help setting up, engineering, or troubleshooting your solar array, connect with the experienced pros here at Century Roof & Solar.

You might intuitively be led to believe that, because winter months are colder, solar panels won’t get as much “energy,” and thus will not be able to heat your home or run your property effectively.

You might also be worried about the ability of the electronics in your solar panels to function during cold snaps. As a point of fact, most solar panel technology functions better in cold temperatures than it does in overly hot temperatures; your solar panels should be able to collect plenty of usable sunlight, irrespective of what the mercury reads outside.

You can still tap solar energy to power your home, life, and work effectively, as long as you practice some easy maintenance tips.

First of all, recognize that, even when it’s overcast out, your solar panels can still collect energy to help with household needs. Depending on the thickness of the clouds, the presence or absence of precipitation, and other factors, solar panels still gather significant energy.

Some solar panels are even powerful enough to extract usable energy from moonlight, streetlights, or even starlight.

All that being said, gunk, buildup, bird droppings, leaves, debris, and snow can collect on your panels and diminish their capabilities. Most homeowners in Northern California – at least in the regions close to major urban and metropolitan areas – don’t have to deal with massive snowfall cleanup. But even non-snow precipitation, such as winter storms or wind squalls, can knock debris under the panels and diminish their effectiveness.

If your roof collects significant snow piles or debris, you will likely need to remove the contaminants to maximize your panel’s utility. However, you have to be extra cautious when working on roofs. You might want to hire a general contractor or snow removal service to assist you, so that you don’t fall and get injured during the cleaning process.

At the end of the day, the solar panel solution remains ideal for homeowners who are concerned about the environment, about electrical costs, and about long-term, financially sound decisions.

Connect with the team at Century Roof and Solar at www.centuryroofandsolar.com or 510-780-9489 today to get immediate, strategically focused help with your solar panel power needs.

While debates about climate change, energy independence, and alternative “green” energy rage, consumers find themselves at a difficult crossroads. What’s the best, safest, cheapest, most “green,” and least cumbersome way to power one’s house and one’s life?

New research and new technologies have re-inspired faith in one of the oldest – actually the oldest – energy source: solar.
Here are four reasons why it may behoove you to install a solar solution for your home or business immediately.

1. Good for the environment.

Solar is a totally non-polluting technology.  Not only are you not releasing carbon-dioxide, but you are also not contributing to particulate pollution.  Moreover, when you make the switch to solar, you create a kind of “social permission” for your friends, neighbors, and others in your community to do the same.  You create the change: your change sparks others to change and help the environment on a grander scale.

2. Independence from the power companies!

Although modern utility companies do a fairly good job of maintaining service, you’re in many ways at their mercy.  During sweltering summer months, for instance, power might be rationed just when you need it most to keep your AC flowing.  Alternately, with a solar installation – backed up by a battery powered system, so you can have power at night and on foggy days – you get total independence from your utility company.

3. Virtually eliminate your maintenance.

Even “old school” solar power systems had long lives.  Today’s systems can last 40 yearsor longer – no need to add fuel, do maintenance to the panels, or change out parts (there are no moving parts!).

4. Big financial motivations.

In 2008, the government created a tax incentive program to provide thousands of dollars in tax credits to homeowners who install solar energy solutions. This money is not simply a deduction against what can be taxed.  It is a dollar for dollar federal tax rebate.  Also, consider the longer term cost savings. Yes, installing a solar solution can lead to upfront costs. But imagine if you never had to pay a utility bill for the next four decades? How much would you save? It’s easy to calculate this – chances are, virtually every homeowner out there could save significantly over the long term.

If you have questions about solar power solutions, connect with the most trusted name in roofing – Century Roof and Solar.  For 15 years, we’ve served the Bay area with reliable solutions.  We are a Diamond Certified company.   Find out more about our process and solutions at  www.centuryrooftile.com, www.noutilitiybill.com or call 510-780-9489 to speak with one of our professionals.

Solar terminology Glossary

If your thinking about a solar installation in your home, here are some useful and common terms to expect to hear about.

Alternating current (ac) — Electric current in which the direction of flow is reversed at frequent intervals, usually 100 or 120 times per second (50 or 60 cycles per second or 50//60Hz)..

Altitude — The angle between the horizon (a horizontal plane) and the sun’s position in the sky, measured in degrees.

Amorphous silicon — A non-crystalline semiconductor material that has no long-range order, often used in thin film photovoltaic modules.

Ampere or amp (A) — the unit of measurement for the electric current. One amp is produced by an electric force of 1 volt acting across a resistance of 1 ohm.

Annual solar savings — the amount of energy saved by the power generated by a solar system.

Array — Any number of photovoltaic modules connected together to provide a single electrical output at a specified voltage. Arrays are often designed to produce significant amounts of electricity.

Blocking Diode — A semi-conductor device connected in series with a PV module and a storage battery to prevent a reverse current discharge of the battery to prevent a reverse current discharge of the battery through the module when there is no output, or low output from the cells. When connected in series to a power flow preventing against the risk of thermal destruction of solar cells.

British Thermal Unit (Btu) — The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water from 60 degrees F to 61 degrees F at one atmosphere pressure. Roughly equivalent to the amount of energy released by burning one stick match.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) A term for the design and integration of PV into the building envelope, typically replacing conventional building materials. This integration may be in vertical facades, replacing view glass, spandrel glass, or other façade material; into semitransparent skylight systems; into roofing systems, replacing traditional materials; into shading “eyebrows” over windows’ or other building envelope systems.

Bypass diode — A diode connected across one or more solar cells in a photovoltaic module such that the diode will conduct if the cell(s) become reverse biased. Alternatively, a diode connected anti-parallel across a part of the solar cells of a PV module. It protects these solar cells of a PV module. It protects these solar cells from thermal destruction in case of total or partial shading of individual solar cells while other cells are exposed to full light.

Cell — The basic unit of a photovoltaic module. This word is also commonly used to describe the basic unit of batteries (ie. A 6-volt battery has 3 2-volt cells).

Cell efficiency — The percentage of electrical energy that a solar cell produces compared to the total amount of energy that is converted from the sun falling on the cell under standard testing conditions.

Circuit — A system of conductors that convey electricity.

Circuit breaker — A safety device that shuts off power when it senses too much current.

Compact Fluorescent Lights — Lights that use a lot less energy than regular light bulbs. We can use compact fluorescent lights for reading lights and ceiling lights.

Conductor — A material that is used to convey electricity, i.e. wires.

Conversion efficiency — see cell efficiency.

Crystalline Silicon — A type of PV cell made from a single crystal or polycrystalline slice of silicon.

Current — The flow of electric charge in a conductor between two points having a difference in potential (voltage.)

Direct current (dc) — Electrical current that flows only in one direction. The kind of electricity is generated by a solar system and is converted into ac power by the inverter. It is the most common form of electricity used in everyday disposable batteries.

Direct insolation — Full sunlight falling directly upon a collector. Opposite of diffuse insolation.

Disconnect — Switch gear used to connect or disconnect components of a PV system for safety or service.

Efficiency — The ratio of output energy to input energy. Expressed as a percent.

Electric circuit — Path followed by electrons from a power source (generator or battery) through an external line (including devices that use the electricity) and returning through another line to the source.
Electric Current — A flow of electrons; electricity.

Energy — The ability to do work. Stored energy becomes working energy when we use it.

Energy audit — A survey that shows how much energy you use in your house, apartment, or business. It can indicate your most intensive energy consuming appliances and even identify heating and cooling leaks that will help you find ways to use less energy.

Energy P ay Back Time — The time required for any energy producing system or device to produce as much energy as was required in its manufacture.

Gigawatt (GW) — One billion watts. One million kilowatts. One thousand megawatts.

Grid — A distribution network, including towers, poles, and wires that a utility uses to deliver electricity.

Grid-connected PV system — a solar system that is tied in to the utility’s network. When generating more power than necessary, the system supplies the surplus to the grid. At night, the system draws power from the gird.

Hybrid System — A PV system that includes other sources of electricity generation, such as wind or fossil fuel generators.

Inverters — Devices that convert DC electricity into AC electricity (single or multiphase), either for stand-alone systems (not connected to the grid) or for utility-interactive systems.

Incident Light — Light that shines onto the surface of a solar cell or module.

Insolation— Sunlight, direct or diffuse; from “incident solar radiation.’ Usually expressed in watts per square meter. Not to be confused with ‘insulation.’

Insulation — Materials that reduce the rate or slow down the movement of heat.Interconnect — A conductor within a module or other means of connection which provides an electrical interconnection between the solar cells.

Irradiance — the amount of solar energy that strikes a surface during a specific time period. Measured in kilowatts.

Junction box — An electrical box designed to be a sage enclosure in which to make proper electrical connections. On PV modules this is where PV strings are electrically connected.

Kilowatt (kW) — A unit of electrical power, one thousand watts.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh) — One thousand watt hours. The kWh is a unit of energy. 1 kWh=3600 kJ.

Life-cycle cost — An estimate of the cost of owning and operating a system for the period of its useful life; usually expressed in terms of the present value of all lifetime costs.

Load — Anything that is connected to an electrical circuit and draws power from that circuit.

Megawatt (MW) — One million watts; 1,000 kilowatts.

Module — see photovoltaic module.

Monocrystalline solar cell — a type of solar cell made from a thin slice of a single large crystal silica.

Multicrystalline — Material that is solidifies at such as rate that many small crystals (crystallites) form. The atoms within a single crystallite are symmetrically arranged, whereas crystallites are jumbled together. These numerous grain boundaries reduce the device efficiency. A material composed of variously oriented small individual crystals. (Sometimes referred to as polycrystalline or semi-crystalline).

Net metering — A practice used in conjunction with a solar electric system where your electric meter tracks your net power usage, spinning forward when you use electricity from the utility, and spinning backward when your system is generating more electricity than you need.

Orientation — Placement according to the compass directions, north, south, east, west.

Panel — A term used to describe a solar module.

Passive solar building — A building that utilizes non-mechanical, non electrical methods for heating, cooling and/ or lighting.

Peak load; peak demand — The maximum load, or usage, of electrical power occurring in a given period of time, typically a day.

Peak Sun Hours — The equivalent number of hours per day when solar irradiance averages 1000 w/m²(full sun).

Photovoltaic (PV) — This is the conversion of visible light into electricity. Photo means “light”, voltaic means “electric.”

Photovoltaic array — An interconnected system of PV modules that function as a single electricity-producing unit. The modules are assembled as a discrete structure, with common support or mounting. In smaller systems, an array can consist of a single module.

Photovoltaic cell — The smallest semiconductor element within a PV module to perform the immediate conversion of light into electrical energy (DC voltage and current).

Photovoltaic module — The smallest environmentally protected, essentially planar assembly of solar cells and ancillary parts, such as interconnections terminals, [and protective devices such as diodes] intended to generate DV power under un-concentrated sunlight. The structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer (superstrate) or the back layer (substrate).

Photovoltaic system — A complete set of components for converting sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic process, including the array and balance of system components.

PV — An abbreviation for photovoltaic.

Semiconductor — Any material that has a limited capacity for conducting an electric current. Certain semiconductors, including silicon, gallium arsenide, copper indium dislenide, and cadmium telluride, are uniquely suited to the photovoltaic conversion process.

Silicon (Si) — A chemical element, atomic number 14, semi-metallic in nature, dark gray, an excellent semiconductor material. A common constituent of sand and quartz (as the oxide). Crystallizes in face-centered cubic lattice-like a diamond. The most common semiconductor material used in making photovoltaic devices.

Sine Wave Inverter — An inverter that produces utility-quality, sine wave power forms.Single-crystal silicon – Silicon material with a single crystal structure. A common material for the construction of solar PV cells.

Solar cell — See photovoltaic cell.

Solar energy — Energy from the sun. For example, the heat that vuilds up in your car when the windows are closed is solar energy.

Solar-grade silicon — Intermediate-grade silicon used in the manufacture of solar cells. Less expensive than electronic-grade silicon.

Solar module — See photovoltaic module.

Solar Noon — That moment of the day that divides the daylight hours for that day exactly in half. To determine solar noon, calculate the length of the day from the time of sunset and sunrise and divide by two. The moment the sun is highest in the sky.

Solar power — Electricity generated from sunlight.

Square Wave Inverter — The inverter consists of a DC source, four switches are power semiconductors that can carry a large current and withstand a high voltage rating. The switches are turned on and off at a correct sequence, at a certain frequency. The square wave inverter is the simplest and the least expensive to purchase, but it produces the lowest quality of power.

Stand alone — A solar system that operates without connection to a grid or another supply of electric battery bank stores unused daylight production for nighttime power. Commonly used in remote regions as mountains, ocean platforms or communication towers.

Stand off mounting — The installation of mounting brackets to a roof for the purpose of securing a solar array to a roof top. These brackets are usually waterproofed with a common roof plumbing flashing.

Standard Test Conditions (STC) — Conditions under which a module is typically tested in a laboratory: (1) Irradiance intensity of 1000 W/square meter (0.645 watts per square inch), AM1.5 solar reference spectrum, and (3) a cell (module) temperature of 25 °C, plus or minus 2 °C (77 °F, plus or minus 3.6 °F).

Surge — The momentary start-up condition of a motor requiring a large amount of electrical current.

Thin Film — A layer of semiconductor material , such as copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, or amorphous silicon, a few microns or less in thickness, used to make photovoltaic cells.

Tilt Angle — Angle of inclination of collector as measured in degrees from the horizontal. For maximum performance solar collectors/modules should be set at a perpendicular to the sun.

Two-Axis Tracking — A system capable of rotating independently about two axes and following the sun’s orientation and height in the sky (e.g., vertical and horizontal.)

Voltage (or electric potential) — The electric force that causes electric current to flow (analogous to pressure which can cause a water current to flow in a pipe) measured in volts (V).

Wafer — A thin sheet of semiconductor material made by mechanically sawing it from a single-crystal or multi-crystal ingot or casting.

Watt (W) — The unit of electric power, which is the rate of energy production, or the amount of energy consumed per time. One ampere of current flowing at a potential of one volt produces one watt of power.

Watt-hour (Wh) — A unit of energy equal to one wall of power being used for one hour.

Waveform — The shape of the curve graphically representing the change in the AC signal voltage and current amplitude, with respect to time.

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