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PV: It is the short form for photovoltaic(s).

Parallel connection: Refers to the method of connecting several devices which produce electricity, like PV modules or cells, with all positive leads and all negative leads respectively connected to boost current production.

Passive solar home: Refers to any house that has its walls, floors and windows acting as solar energy collectors and distributors in form of heat in winter and rejecters of solar heat during summer is a passive solar home. It does not involve the use of any mechanical or electrical devices for movement of solar heat.

Peak load / peak demand: Refers to the maximum power requirement of a system at a given time. It can refer to load at a specific time of the day or averaged load over a given period.

Peak watts / WP: This is the unit of rating the performance of solar cells or arrays. It is the maximum output in watts of a PV device under standard testing conditions.

Photon: A photon is an elementary particle, a quantum of light and electromagnetic radiation that has zero mass and no electric charge.

Photovoltaic (PV): It is the method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation directly into electricity with the help of semiconductors.

Photovoltaic (PV) Array: Also known as, solar array is a linked system of solar panels. Since a single module is incapable of producing more power, these interlinked panels work as a single unit to produce sufficient electricity.

Photovoltaic (PV) Cell: It is a specialized semiconductor responsible for converting any visible light directly into current (dc).

Photovoltaic (PV) Peak Watt: The maximum output rating of a photovoltaic cell, system or module, considered at standardized testing conditions which are 0.645 W/sq. in. of solar light (1000 watts / m ﾲ), 68 ﾰF (20 ﾰC) atmospheric temperature and a wind speed of 1 mile per second.

Photovoltaic (PV) conversion efficiency: It is the proportion of sunlight energy converted by cell into electrical energy or the percentage of solar light shining on a PV device, converted into electricity or electrical energy.

Photovoltaic (PV) efficiency: Refers to the ratio of production of electrical energy by a PV cell, to the power quantum of solar light hitting the cell. Cells sold in the market have an efficiency rate of 9% - 14%.

Photovoltaic (PV) generator: It is a collection of solar modules, connected in series to generate electrical power.

Photovoltaic (PV) module: This is an assembled set of interconnected solar cells. The PV modules or solar panels constitute as components of larger photovoltaic system that generate electricity from solar light.

Photovoltaic (PV) panel: This frequently acts as a substitute for PV module, particularly the single module. However, PV panel refers to a collection of interconnected modules, utilized to obtain the desired current and voltage.

Photovoltaic (PV) system: This uses solar panels to change sunlight into electrical power. A system generally consists of one or multiple solar panels, a power converter or controller, and interconnections and mountings for components of the system.

Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) system: Refers to the PV system known as total energy system due to its characteristic of collecting the remaining heat energy and transforming it into electricity as well as heat for use. This is in addition to its task of converting solar light into electrical energy.

Poly-crystalline: Another term used for ﾓMulti-crystallineﾔ.

Power conditioning equipment: It is a power electronics or electrical equipment useful in converting power from a solar array into an appropriate form for use. These may include converters, inverters, blocking diode and charge regulator for the battery.

Power factor: It is a ratio of true power in watts to apparent volt-ampere power.

Pulse Width Modulated or PWM wave inverter: These costly inverters give an impressively clear output signal through the lowest current harmonics. Hence, the resultant output voltage represents the sine wave. The function of these inverters is to send short pulses instead of applying steady voltage to the battery. The width of the pulses depends upon the state of the battery charge.

Pyronometer: One measuring instrument on global or complete hemispherical solar radiation density incident that falls on a flat surface, usually expressed in watts. Silicon sensors as well as thermopile sensors are such examples.