A type of electrical current that circuits and appliances in most homes utilize.

The direction that your roof faces (in the context of solar). The azimuth is measured in degrees, representing the angle between your roof and true north.

An all-electric vehicle that runs solely on electricity stored in a large battery pack and must be plugged in to recharge.

A solar power system which generates electricity that is used by more than one household. Sometimes called a solar garden, it allows members of a community who cannot (or do not wish to) install solar on their property to enjoy the benefits of solar.

Programs that encourage consumers to reduce or shift their electricity use during peak demand times to ease strain on the grid.

A type of electricity created by solar modules when solar rays hit them. This energy is converted into Alternating Current (AC) electricity to be used in our home.

Small-scale power generation or storage technologies (like rooftop solar panels, batteries, or small wind turbines) are located close to where electricity is used.

The generation of electricity from many smaller, dispersed power sources, like residential rooftop solar, rather than from a large central power plant.

A private, not-for-profit utility company owned and controlled by the members it serves, rather than by outside investors.

A broad category of vehicles using one or more electric motors for propulsion.

Switching from fossil fuel–powered systems (like gas cars or oil furnaces) to electricity-powered systems (like EVs or heat pumps).

Using less energy to provide the same service—for example, LED bulbs use less electricity than incandescent bulbs to provide the same light.

The capture of energy produced at one time for use at a later time. Households can use batteries to store solar energy generated by solar energy systems during the day for use during the evening. By storing energy in batteries, users can increase their energy independence, self-consumption, and the financial value of their solar energy system.

Stands for Engineering, Procurement and Construction. These are companies that assist in facilitating large commercial solar contracts. They serve as the middleman between the client and solar component manufacturers and builders to negotiate contracts.

The interconnected system of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks that deliver electricity to homes and businesses.

Rather than installing solar panels on your roof, a ground mount solar system is a system where solar panels are attached to a racking system with its foundation directly in the ground.

A vehicle with both a gasoline engine and an electric motor that uses a small battery, which is charged by the gas engine and regenerative braking. It cannot be plugged in to recharge.

One of the most important pieces of equipment in a solar energy system. It’s a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which the electrical grid uses. In DC, electricity is maintained at constant voltage in one direction. In AC, electricity flows in both directions in the circuit as the voltage changes from positive to negative. Inverters are just one example of a class of devices called power electronics that regulate the flow of electrical power.

A unit of power that measures how much electricity is being delivered at a given moment during charging. 1kW is equivalent to 1000W of power. Solar systems are sized in kW.

A 1,000-watt unit of electricity for one hour. A typical Virginia home may use approximately 1,000 kWh in a month.

The energy meter is a device that is used to measure and monitor production, consumption, and import/export of energy to the grid.

A small, localized energy system that can operate independently or alongside the main electric grid, often powered by renewable energy and storage.

Process of obtaining credits from the utility company for your solar system production. You will receive a net meter when you go solar that measures the amount of electricity that comes into your home as well as the amount that the solar system sends “back to the grid”. This allows you to generate credits with the utility company when your solar system produces more energy than the house is consuming and that excess electricity is sent to the grid.

Authorization from the utility company that a solar system has passed inspection and can be turned on and connected to the grid.

A PV panel, also referred to as a solar panel, is comprised of photovoltaic solar cells connected in a series. PV panels are installed on the rooftop where they absorb photons (light energy) to generate electricity. PV panels are connected in a string to form a complete solar-power-generating unit called a PV array.

A car with both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, but unlike a regular hybrid, it has a large enough battery to be charged by plugging it into a wall outlet.

A contract where a consumer agrees to buy electricity from a renewable energy provider at a set price for a defined period.

The mounting system used to affix solar panels to the roof, building surface, or ground.

The total distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge.

A system that converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy during braking into electrical energy to recharge the battery.

The ability of an energy system to withstand and recover quickly from disruptions, such as storms or cyberattacks.

A model where multiple customers subscribe to or purchase a portion of a large, off-site solar energy system, receiving credits on their electricity bills for the energy generated by their share. Also called community solar.

The complete assembly of multiple solar panels that are mounted together.

Technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials.

REC stands for Solar Renewable Energy Certificate, which is a market-based instrument representing the value of solar energy generation. One SREC is created for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours of solar electricity produced. These certificates are sold on a market, and the value is determined by supply and demand, allowing solar owners to earn income in addition to potential electricity bill savings.

Technology that captures sunlight to produce heat, which can be used for hot water, heating, or electricity generation.

Electricity pricing that varies depending on when energy is used, encouraging consumers to shift use to off-peak times.

A measure of power. Appliances, lightbulbs, as well as solar panels are measured in Watts. 1kW = 1,000 Watts.

Improvements to a building that reduce energy loss (like insulation, sealing air leaks, and upgrading windows).

A vehicle that produces no tailpipe emissions, such as exhaust gas or other air pollutants, from its own power source during operation.