The following is a glossary of the various solar lingo that people in the solar industry use that are not common knowledge.  Some terms are acronyms as well and we will include them as well.  We will try and keep them in alphabetic order but the list will be added to constantly as we add more chapters to our online solar textbook.

AHJ – Stands for authority having jurisdiction.  This term is used more in the United States than Canada because the structure for responsibility to ensure code compliance as well as obtaining permits varies in many geographic areas through out the US.  In Canada there is more of a standard structure.

 BOS – Stands for Balance of System components that make up an entire solar generating system other than the major components.  Components such as the mounting system, wire, and fuses etc. are BOS components.

Concentrating Collector – Is a solar energy collector that relies on the use of focusing energy to a specific point such as a lens.

CSP – Stands for Concentrated Solar Power.  This is the use of lenses or mirrors to reflect and concentrate solar radiation from a larger area to a smaller area.

Distributed Generation – Is a system where small electrical generating systems create electricity near the point of consumption.  Large nuclear plants are not considered distributed generation because they may supply energy to homes and businesses many hundreds or more miles from their location through the grid.

Flat-Plate Collector – Is as the name suggests a flat solar collector that absorbs solar energy directly or indirectly from reflections or scattered cloud radiation.

Grid – Is the general term for all the distribution network of electrical wires that make up the entire electrical system of a country or countries. 

Integrator – Is a business or individual that contracts and looks after the design and installation of the entire solar system.

Load -  Is any electrical device that consumes electricity.  Examples of loads are light bulbs.

PV - (pronounced Pee Vee) is a short form for the word photovoltaics.  Photovoltaics is the name given to the whole process of capturing solar energy through the use of semiconductors to change solar energy into electrical energy.  You can almost use the term PV anywhere solar is used.  For instance PV panels could and many times is called solar panels.

Solar Energy Collector – Is a device that collects solar energy and releases it in the form of electricity or heat.

Utility – Is a company that may generate electricity and certainly distributes it to consumers in a geographic area such as a city.