Solar Optimum Inc. is in the business of contributing to global change by providing environmentally friendly, alternative, independent, affordable, and efficient energy to consumers.
Glossary of terms
Time of use
Customers will be credited accordingly in line with the pricing of the utility company. If the utility company charges consumers more during a specific season and time of day, they are by law required to credit the same rates to individuals that are generating electricity through solar panels.
Solar Panels
Photovoltaic (electrons are emitted form matter after the absorption of energy from electromagnetic radiation such as x-rays or visible light) device that turns the energy of the sun into electricity.
Solar Cells
Also known as photovoltaic cell is a device that converts solar energy into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. At times the tern solar cell is reserved for devices intended specifically to capture energy from sunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell is used when the source is unspecified. Assemblies of cells are used to make solar panel, solar modules, or photovoltaic arrays.
DC Power
Abbreviation for direct current; the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, and solar cells. In direct current, the electric charges flow in a constant direction, distinguishing it from alternating current (AC).
Inverter
An electrical device which is designed to convert direct current (DC) into alternating current. The resulting AC can be at any required voltage or frequency. It is so named because early mechanical AC to DC converters were made to work in reverse and thus were “inverted” to convert DC to AC. The inverter performs the opposite function of a rectifier.
AC Power
Abbreviation for alternating current. Alternating current is the usual way by which electricity is delivered to residential and industrial locations. With the use of higher voltage the transmission of power becomes significantly efficient.
Utility Grid
Electrical power transmission (a process in the delivery of electricity to consumers) is the bulk transfer of electrical power. A power transmission network typically connects power plants to multiple substations near a populated area.
Electrical Panel
A component of an electricity supply system which divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits, while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit in a common enclosure. This device is also most commonly known as a breaker panel, fuse box, or load center.
Utility Meter
Metering device used to measure the units of electricity, gas, and water. In this case, it is most commonly known as electric meter that measures the amount of electrical energy supplied to or produced by a residence, business, or a specific machine. When used in electricity retailing, the utilities record the values measured by these meters to generate an invoice for the electricity.
Electrical Load
An electric circuit connected to an output terminal. Electrical load affects the performance of circuits that output voltages or currents. A household’s power outlets provide an easy example. They are a voltage source, outputting 120 VAC (volts alternating current) with the household’s appliances collectively making up the load.
Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic electrons are emitted form matter after the absorption of energy from electromagnetic radiation such as x-rays or visible light.
Voltage
Also known as electrical tension is the difference of electrical potential between two points of an electrical or electronic circuit expressed in volts. It is the measurement of the potential for an electric field to cause an electric current in an electrical conductor.
Watts
Units of power. It measures a rate of energy conversion. A typical household incandescent light bulb uses electrical energy at a rate of 25 to 100 watts.
Kilowatts
1,000 watts = 1 kW (kilowatt). Used to state the power output of engines and the power consumption of tools and machines. A kilowatt is approximately equivalent to 1.34 horsepower. An electric heater with one heating element might use 1 kilowatt.
Amp
Also known as ampere is a unit of electric current or amount of electric charge per unit time in coulombs per second. In practical household wiring terms, it is the measurement of the number of electrons passing through a given point in one second intervals.
