The period during which a system is capable of operating above a specified performance level.
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Life-Cycle Cost
The estimated cost of owning and operating a photovoltaic system for the period of its useful life.
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Maximum power point tracker (MPPT)
A power conditioning unit that automatically operates the PV-generator at its maximum power point under all conditions. An MPPT will typically increase power delivered to the system by 10% to 40%, depending on climate conditions and battery state of charge. You usually get more gain in winter and in colder weather due to the higher panel output. Most MPPT controllers are down converters - from a higher voltage to a lower one.
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Multicrystalline
Silicon material composed of variously oriented, small, individual crystals. Sometimes referred to as polycrystalline or semicrystalline.
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Nickel Cadmium Battery
A battery containing nickel and cadmium plates and an alkaline electrolyte.
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Normal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT)
The estimated temperature of a photovoltaic module when operating under 800 w/m2 irradiance, 20°C ambient temperature and wind speed of 1 meter per second. NOCT is used to estimate the nominal operating temperature of a module in its working environment.
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N-Type Silicon
Silicon material that has been doped with a material that has more electrons in its atomic structure than does silicon.
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Ohm
A measure of the electrical resistance of a material equal to the resistance of a circuit in which the potential difference of 1 volt produces a current of 1 ampere.
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Open Circuit Voltage
The maximum voltage produced by an illuminated photovoltaic cell, module, or array with no load connected. This value will increase as the temperature of the PV material decreases.
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Orientation
Placement with respect to the cardinal directions, N, S, E, W; azimuth is the measure of orientation from north.
