The fine particulate matter entrained in the flue gases of a combustion power plant.

A solar power station investigated by NASA that entailed a satellite in geosynchronous orbit that would consist of a very large array of solar photovoltaic modules that would convert solar generated electricity to microwaves and beam them to a fixed point ...

A structure used to cool power plant water; water is pumped to the top of the tubular tower and sprayed out into the center, and is cooled by evaporation as it falls, and then is either recycled within the plant or is discharged.

An electrical conductor/cable that carries electricity from a generator to other locations for distribution.

The elements and compounds that result from the combustion of a fuel.

A window glazing coating, usually tinted bronze or gray, used to reduce building cooling loads, glare, and fabric fading.

The time of the day, at a specific location, when the sun reaches its highest, apparent point in the sky; equal to true or due, geographic south.

The generation of electric power by a heat engine which converts part of the heat generated by combustion of the fuel into mechanical motion to operate an electric generator.

A device for transforming the quality and quantity of electrical energy; also an inverter.

A group of solar collectors or solar modules connected together.

A term used for materials used to absorb and store solar energy.

A solar thermal technology that uses a modular mirror system that approximates a parabola and incorporates two-axis tracking to focus the sunlight onto receivers located at the focal point of each dish. The mirror system typically is made from a number of ...

A connection or link between power systems that enables them to draw on each other's reserve capacity in time of need.

A type of solar thermal system where sunlight is concentrated by a curved reflector onto a pipe containing a working fluid that can be used for process heat or to produce electricity. The world's largest solar thermal electric power plants use solar troug ...

The process of modifying the characteristics of electrical power (for e.g., inverting dc to AC).

A technique for insulating and sealing exterior walls that reduces vapor diffusion through air leakage points by installing pre-cut blocks of rigid foam insulation over floor joists, sheet subfloor, and top plates before drywall is installed.

The legal issues related to protecting or ensuring access to sunlight to operate a solar energy system, or use solar energy for heating and cooling.

The structure (in a residential heating appliance, industrial furnace, or power plant) into which combustion gases flow and are contained until they are emitted to the atmosphere.

The ratio of actual power being used in a circuit, expressed in watts or kilowatts, to the power that is apparently being drawn from a power source, expressed in volt-amperes or kilovolt-amperes.

A device that achieves very high temperatures by the use of reflectors to focus and concentrate sunlight onto a small receiver.