solar jargon buster

What is Solar Thermal (ST)?

Solar energy, when used for heating purposes, is called Solar Thermal. Such heating applications include - heating water, cooking food (using solar cookers), etc.

What is Solar Photovoltaic (PV)?

When you use solar energy for generating electricity, it is called solar photovoltaic. It derives its name from the fact that the electricity is generated from sunlight using special cells called ‘Photovoltaic cells’.

What is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)?

Renewable Heat Incentive or RHI is the incentive given by the UK government to anyone who uses renewable energy (including solar thermal) for heating purposes.

What is the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)?

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is in place to certify microgeneration products and installers as per defined standards. "The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an independent scheme that certifies microgeneration products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. It is designed to evaluate microgeneration products and installers against robust criteria providing greater protection for consumers".

What is the Feed-in-tariff (FIT)?

FIT or Feed-in-Tariff is a UK government initiative to provide incentives to people who use renewable energy to produce electricity.

What is a Solar panel?

‘Solar panels’ is the common term that is used both for Solar Thermal Panels and for Solar Photovoltaic Panels. A solar panel could either be a solar pv panel (containing an array of solar pv cells) or a solar thermal panel (a system of evacuated tubes or flat plat collector system for solar water heating purposes).

What is active solar?

Solar Thermal and Solar Photovoltaic are together referred to as active solar.

What is Passive solar?

This involves making direct use of the Sun’s energy e.g. to heat the air inside homes and absorb the maximum possible solar power in order to keep the homes warm

What are solar tiles?

A solar tile is an array of photovoltaic cells that is designed to look like the conventional construction tiles except for the fact that solar tiles are a better option as compared to solar panels (especially if you are already looking to redo your roof).

What are silicon cells?

Simply put, silicon cells is a generic name that is often used by people to refer to photovoltaic cells (because solar PV cells are made from silicon semiconductor materials)