On photovoltaic systems where there is no grid supply, the generated energy can be stored in an accumulator working with direct current. This energy can be used when there is no sunlight, i.e. at night or in bad weather.

A variant of thin-film solar cells. They are produced by applying a thin, non-crystalline silicon layer to a substrate such as glass or metal by means of vapor deposition. As a result, less silicon is needed than for crystalline solar cells. They are also cheaper to produce, although the efficiency factor is lower.

This angle describes how far the direction in which the system is pointing deviates from the south (azimuth angle of 0°). Towards the east, the angle is negative; towards the west it is positive. The following azimuth angles arise as a result: east –90°; south-east –45°; south-west 45°; west 90°.

This emergency power system switches itself on in a matter of milliseconds should there be a power failure, guaranteeing an autonomous power supply using the stored energy from the accumulator.

If a single module or a string of modules is shaded or damaged, this semiconductor component allows the power to bypass this point, still allowing the operation of the rest of the system.

On island systems which are independent of the grid, this component monitors and controls the power flow between the solar plant, the consumers and the accumulator in order to prevent an overcharge or deep discharge.

Ecologically burdened areas which were previously used as commercial, transportation, residential or military sites – such as former airports, barracks, landfill sites or brownfield land – are funded by the EEC with particularly high feed-in tariffs when they are converted into solar parks.

These solar cells are made of highly pure, crystalline silicon, which is cut into thin slices (or wafers) during production. Depending on the crystal structure, these could be monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells. Crystalline solar cells have a higher efficiency factor than thin-film solar cells, but they are also more expensive.

On cloudy days or if there is dust or there are other particles in the atmosphere, the sun’s rays still reach the earth. This diffuse radiation can be used with photovoltaics, although there is considerably less energy than with direct radiation.

The efficiency factor describes the proportion of solar radiation that is converted into power, i.e. the efficiency of a solar cell or system.The efficiency factor depends on the material used: