A tube inside a domestic water heater that distributes the cold water from the cold water supply line into the lower area of the water heater where heating occurs.

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

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

A semiconductor (photovoltaic) material composed of variously oriented, small, individual crystals.

This committee has legislative jurisdiction and general and special oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to energy and environmental research and development and demonstration.

Electromagnetic energy transmitted from the sun (solar radiation). The amount that reaches the earth is equal to one billionth of total solar energy generated, or the equivalent of about 420 trillion kilowatt-hours.

The amount of work done in raising one pound one foot.

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.

The practice of installing blow-in, loose-fill insulation at a lower density than is recommended to meet a specified R-Value.

The heat produced by sources of heat in a building (occupants, appliances, lighting, etc).

A measure of the ability of a light source to show colors, based on a color rendering index.

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

Solar radiation that arrives in a straight line from the sun.

The current flowing freely through an external circuit that has no load or resistance; the maximum current possible.

A body of water used to cool the water that is circulated in an electric power plant.

A moveable or fixed heater used to heat individual rooms.

The amount of energy that a building absorbs due to solar energy striking its exterior and conducting to the interior or passing through windows and being absorbed by materials in the building.

A registered trademark for plastic sheeting material that can be used as a vapor retarder. This plastic is used to make grocery bags. It is a long chain of carbon atoms with 2 hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon atom.

A type of solar thermal system where air is heated in a collector and either transferred directly to the interior space or to a storage medium, such as a rock bin.

A type of furnace or reactor in which fuel particles are combusted while suspended in a stream of hot gas.