Solar lingo decoded
Have you ever tried getting your head around the language used when experts talk about solar energy?
With strange-sounding terms like smart meters, PV cells and feed-in tariffs, it can feel like you’re learning another language.
We’re here to help, so whether you’re ready to make the switch, or starting to research, our guide to solar lingo will make it easier to understand all things solar.
Alternating current
Alternating current (AC) is a form of electrical current used by the power grid and most appliances, lights and other gadgets in your home. With AC, the current periodically changes back and forth.
Clean Energy Council
The Clean Energy Council is the not-for-profit, membership-based peak body for Australia’s clean energy industry. It works with Australia’s leading renewable energy and energy storage businesses, and rooftop solar installers, to help develop clean energy in Australia.
Direct current
Unlike AC, direct current (DC) travels in just one direction. Your solar energy system will generate DC from the sun and the inverter (description below) will turn it into AC for use in your home.
Electricity grid
The electricity grid (also referred to as ‘the grid’) is the connected network of electricity infrastructure, comprising generators that create electricity, and transmission and distribution lines that transport it to homes, businesses and other connected consumers.
Feed-in-tariff
This is an agreed amount credited to customers who export or ‘feed in’ to the grid any extra electricity their solar energy system produces. The value of the feed-in tariff has changed and now it’s usually better to use more solar power during the day than to export it to the grid.
Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system
Most residential solar energy systems are photovoltaic grid-connected (PV) systems. This means the system is connected to the grid, and features solar panels, an inverter, a switchboard and an electricity meter. Being connected means if your household is using more electricity than your system can generate at a given time, the grid will make up the difference and your power will stay on.
Inverter
The inverter converts the DC electricity the solar panels produce into AC electricity for use in your home. Some systems use micro inverters, which are positioned on the back of each solar panel. Micro inverters are often better for spaces where shade is an issue or for panels that face different directions.
Kilowatt hour
A kilowatt is 1000 watts, and a kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a measure of energy use over time. Running a 1kW appliance for an hour means you’re using 1kWh of electricity. Using that same appliance for two hours equates to 2kWh of electricity.
Meter
A meter records the electricity flow into a residential or commercial building, and the usage is used to calculate part of your electricity bill. In solar energy terms, a smart meter fits into the switchboard and measures energy coming and going from the grid. If a smart meter is installed, the inverter can measure your solar generation, consumption and how much you’ve fed back into the grid.
Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic (PV) technology turns light energy into electricity. A solar PV system uses infrastructure such as solar panels, an inverter and safety switches to turn the sun’s energy into electrons, which are sent as DC to the inverter and converted into AC electricity for use in your home.
Self-consumption
Self-consumption helps you make the most of your solar PV system and refers to maximising your electricity use when the system is at peak generation. For example, you can boost your self-consumption by running your dishwasher and washing machine during the day when solar-power generation is highest, instead of drawing power from the grid at night.
Small-scale Technology Credits
Small-scale Technology Credits (STC) provide financial incentives for people to install water heaters, heat pumps or solar panels in their homes or businesses. They are part of a Federal Government initiative called the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme and aim to increase renewable energy generation in Australia. Most solar installers allow customers to exchange their STCs for a discount on the purchase price (often called a solar rebate).
Solar monitoring
With solar monitoring, you can use real-time data to see how much solar energy your system is generating, and how much you’re using, and you can receive fault and diagnosis alerts if there are any problems. This information can help increase your system’s performance and your potential savings.
Tier 1 panel
This is a ranking used to help compare solar panel manufacturers on their reliability and economic stability. Tier 1 is the top ranking, and RAA Solar and Battery uses these providers.