An electromagnetic device that changes the voltage of alternating current electricity. It consists of an induction coil having a primary and secondary winding and a closed iron core.

Air that is returned from a heated or cooled space, reconditioned and/or cleaned, and returned to the space.

Parasitic resistance to current flow in a cell due to mechanisms such as resistance from the bulk of the semiconductor material, metallic contacts, and interconnections.

The direction, at any point on the earth that is geographically in the northern hemisphere, facing toward the South Pole of the earth. Essentially a line extending from the point on the horizon to the highest point that the sun reaches on any day (solar n ...

A device used to remove particulate matter from the waste gasses of a combustion power plant.

A mechanism used by electric utilities to determine prices for electricity; typically defines rates according to amounts of power demanded/consumed during specific time periods.

A method of depositing thin semiconductor films used to make certain types of solar photovoltaic devices. With this method, a substrate is exposed to one or more vaporized compounds, one or more of which contain desirable constituents. A chemical reaction ...

A device for converting the flow of a fluid (air, steam, water, or hot gases) into mechanical motion.

A company that specializes in undertaking energy efficiency measures under a contractual arrangement whereby the ESCo shares the value of energy savings with their customer.

The inherent characteristic of a material to inhibit the transfer of energy. In electrical conductors, electrical resistance results in the generation of heat. Electrical resistance is measured in Ohms. The heat transfer resistance properties of insulatio ...

A chemical compound produced in a reaction between ethanol and isobutylene (a petroleum-derived by-product of the refining process). ETBE has characteristics superior to other ethers: low volatility, low water solubility, high octane value, and a large re ...

A window glass that has been coated with a reflective film and is useful in controlling solar heat gain during the summer.

The shape of the phase power at a certain frequency and amplitude.

A heat engine of the reciprocating (piston) where the working gas and a heat source are independent. The working gas is compressed in one region of the engine and transferred to another region where it is expanded. The expanded gas is then returned to the ...

The fundamental constituent of all vegetative tissue; the most abundant material in the world.

The power available from the rise and fall of ocean tides. A tidal power plant works on the principal of a dam or barrage that captures water in a basin at the peak of a tidal flow, then directs the water through a hydroelectric turbine as the tide ebbs.

Electrical energy lost due to inherent inefficiencies in an electrical transmission and distribution system under specific conditions.

This represents three layers of glazing in a window with an airspace between the middle glass and the exterior and interior panes.

The capability of doing work; different forms of energy can be converted to other forms, but the total amount of energy remains the same.

For a wind turbine, the ratio of the speed of the tip of a turbine blade for which the power coefficient is at maximum.