A term used to describe solar thermal, central receiver, power systems, where an array of reflectors focus sunlight onto a central receiver and absorber mounted on a tower.

A popular term for localized or on-site power generation.

A gasifier in which the feedstock (fuel) is suspended by the movement of gas to move it through the gasifier.

A power plant that generates power by combusting a fuel.

The tank of a water heater.

The local climate of specific place or habitat, as influenced by landscape features.

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

A means of billing electric power consumers to pay for the costs of demand side management/energy conservation measures and programs. (See also Benefits Charge.)

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

A solar energy system designed to provide heat to individual rooms in a building.

A solar thermal electric central reciever power plant ("power tower") located in Barstow, California, and completed in 1981. The Solar One had a design capacity of 10,000 peak kilowatts, and was composed of a receiver located on the top of a tower surroun ...

A unit of pressure [hydraulic (liquid) or pneumatic (gas)] that does not include atmospheric pressure.

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).

An insulation product made of a fibrous material or plastic foams, pressed or extruded into board-like forms. It provides thermal and acoustical insulation strength with low weight, and coverage with few heat loss paths.

A stationary or rotating vent used to ventilate attics or cathedral ceilings; usually made of galvanized steel, or polypropylene.

An electronic device that allows current to flow in one direction only.

A type of solar photovoltaic device made in a continuous process of pulling material from a molten bath of photovoltaic material, such as silicon, to form a thin sheet of material.

The ratio of average energy demand (load) to maximum demand (peak load) during a specific period.

The deferment of certain loads to limit electrical power demand, or the production of energy during off-peak periods for storage and use during peak demand periods.

A measure of the surface burning characteristics of a material.