A term for the process of transmitting electricity over transmission lines not owned by the supplier of the electricity to a retail customer of the supplier. With retail wheeling, an electricity consumer can secure their own supply of electricity from a b ...

A slightly sloped roof, usually with a tar and gravel cover. Most commercial buildings use this kind of roof.

The push or pull that alters the motion of a moving body or moves a stationairy body; the unit of force is the dyne or poundal; force is equal to mass time velocity divided by time.

The lowest wind speed at which a wind turbine begins producing useable power.

An energy band in a semiconductor in which electrons can move freely in a solid, producing a net transport of charge.

The relative extent that energy is required for a process.

In reference to solar thermal collectors, the condition where the heat transfer fluid is flowing through the collector loop under normal operating conditions.

A chemical used as a preservative and in bonding agents. It is found in household products such as plywood, furniture, carpets, and some types of foam insulation. It is also a by-product of combustion and is a strong-smelling, colorless gas that is an eye ...

A method of depositing thin semiconductor photovoltaic) films. With this method, physical processes, such as thermal evaporation or bombardment of ions, are used to deposit elemental semiconductor material on a substrate.

One pound of water in vapor phase; is NOT steam pressure, which is expressed as pounds per square inch (psi).

The ratio of available energy per pound; usually used to compare storage batteries.

A device that that converts direct current electricity (from for example a solar photovoltaic module or array) to alternating current for use directly to operate appliances or to supply power to a electricity grid.

To influence the demand on a power source.

Any liquid petroleum product burned for the generation of heat in a furnace or firebox, or for the generation of power in an engine. Domestic (residential) heating fuels are classed as Nos. 1, 2, 3; Industrial fuels as Nos. 4, 5, and 6.

Pounds/force per square inch gauge.

A heat exchanger in a solar water heating system that has two distinct walls between the heat transfer fluid and the domestic water, to ensure that there is no mixing of the two.

A frequently used room or area that is maintained at a more comfortable level than the rest of the house; also known as a "warm room."

The part of an energy utility's charge based on actual energy consumed by the customer; the product of the kilowatt-hour rate and the total kilowatt-hours consumed.

A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas composed of one molecule of Carbon and four of hydrogen, which is highly flammable. It is the main constituent of "natural gas" that is formed naturally by methanogenic, anaerobic bacteria or can be manufactured, and w ...

Solar Two is a retrofit of the Solar One project (see above). It is demonstrating the technical feasibility and power potential of a solar power tower using advanced molten-salt technology to store energy. Solar Two retains several of the main components ...