Solar Glossary

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Max Power Point Tracker / MPPT: It is an electronic system, used to get the maximum possible power from one or more solar panels. MPPT assesses the charge of the solar cells and applies adequate resistance (load) to obtain maximum power in given climatic condition.

Maximum power point / MPP: Refers to the I-V curve (current-voltage curve) point of a charged module, where the product of voltage and current is at its highest. (UL 1703) The measure is around 17 V using a 36-cell configuration in a typical silicon cell panel.

Microgroove: Refers to a tiny groove marked on the solar cell surface that is metal filled to enable contact.

Module: The smallest unit to build the PV array that generates the power, known as panel. It is the group of encased, interconnected PV cells, exhibiting standard size and output power.

Monolithic: It is a structure consisting of a single, solid, unbroken piece.

Multi-crystalline: A semiconductor material constituting randomly aligned, small individual crystals. Sometimes a material solidifies at a rate when it forms many asymmetrical, small crystallites instead of a single, well- defined crystal. These scattered crystallites diminish the efficiency of the device. Other terms for such material are poly-crystalline or semi-crystalline.

Multi-junction device: A solar device that has at least two photovoltaic cell junctions, wherein each one is tuned to different wavelengths of light, to facilitate maximum efficiency with minimal energy losses.