Nonglossy paint with a relatively high absorptance.

A curve that displays load values on the horizontal axis in descending order of magnitude against the percent of time (on the vertical axis) that the load values are exceeded.

A measure of the surface burning characteristics of a material.

A single photovoltaic device.

The amount of money required to secure a specified cash flow at a future date at a specified return.

An automatic valve that is opened or closed by an electromagnet.

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 ...

Solar radiation reflected from the ground onto a solar collector.

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.

A popular term used to describe the heating effect due to the trapping of long wave (length) radiation by greenhouse gases produced from natural and human sources.

A heating unit where heat is distributed by means of convection or fans.

The tank of a water heater.

A chemical element (impurity) added in small amounts to an otherwise pure semiconductor material to modify the electrical properties of the material. An n-dopant introduces more electrons. A p-dopant creates electron vacancies (holes).

A commmon term refering to an electricity transmission and distribution system.

The analysis of atmospheric conditions, particularly moisture in the air.

An electric current taking a shorter or different path than intended.

A power plant that generates power by combusting a fuel.

Amorphous silicon with a small amount of incorporated hydrogen. The hydrogen neutralizes dangling bonds in the amorphous silicon, allowing charge carriers to flow more freely.

A type of combustion heating system in which combustion air is drawn directly from outside and the products of combustion are vented directly outside. These features are beneficial in tight, energy-efficient homes because they will not depressurize a home ...

The process of storing, or converting energy from one form to another, for later use; storage devices and systems include batteries, conventional and pumped storage hydroelectric, flywheels, compressed gas, and thermal mass.