Glossary

Glossary

A

Array

Group of photovoltaic (PV) panels connected together in a power system.

C

Climate change

Term used to describe the view that the Earthﾒs temperature and climate will change, in part, due to the buildup of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.

F

FIT

Feed-in Tariff (FIT). The Ontario FIT program is a simpler way to contract for renewable energy generation. It is simpler because of standardized program rules and standardized contracts, including standardized prices.

G

Ground Mount

A piece of equipment upon which solar modules are mounted.

I

Inverter

An appliance used to convert independent DC power into standard household AC current.

K

Kilowatt or KW

A thousand watts. (see Watts)

L

LDC

Local Distribution Company. Term used to describe the local utilities in Ontario, such as hyrdo.

M

Module

A photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel is a packaged interconnected assembly of photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. The photovoltaic module, known more commonly as the solar panel, is then used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system to offer electricity for commercial and residential applications.

N

National Energy Board (NEB)

The federal regulatory agency in Canada that authorizes oil, natural gas and electricity exports. It also certifies interprovincial and international pipelines, as well as designated interprovincial and international power lines. Additionally, NEB sets tolls and tariffs for oil and gas pipelines under federal jurisdiction.

Non-renewable resources

Natural resources that cannot be replaced after they have been consumed. This term applies particularly to fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, but also applies to other mineral resources found in the Earth's crust.

O

OPA

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) was established by The Electricity Restructuring Act, 2004 which set out the following objectives for the organization:

1. To forecast electricity demand, and the adequacy and reliability of electricity resources for Ontario for the medium and long-term.
2. To conduct independent planning for electricity generation, demand management, conservation and transmission and develop integrated power system plans for Ontario.
3. To engage in activities in support of the goal of ensuring adequate, reliable and secure electricity supply and resources in Ontario.
4. To engage in activities to facilitate the diversification of sources of electricity supply by promoting the use of cleaner energy sources and technologies, including alternative energy sources and renewable energy sources.
5. To establish system-wide goals for the amount of electricity to be produced from alternative energy sources and renewable energy sources.
6. To engage in activities that facilitate load management.
7. To engage in activities that promote electricity conservation and the efficient use of electricity.
8. To assist the Ontario Energy Board by facilitating stability in rates for certain types of customers.
9. To collect and provide to the public and the Ontario Energy Board information relating to medium and long term electricity needs of Ontario and the adequacy and reliability of the integrated power system to meet those needs.

To carry out its statutory objectives, the OPA has been organized under the following key functions: Office of the Chief Energy Conservation Officer; Legal, Aboriginal and Regulatory Affairs; Conservation; Electricity Resources; Power System Planning; Communications; and Finance and Administration.

P

Panel

A photovoltaic module, or ﾓpanel,ﾔ is a packaged interconnected assembly of photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. The module, known more commonly as a solar panel, is then used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system to offer electricity for commercial and residential applications.

Photovoltaics (PV)

Photovoltaics (or PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting solar energy (sunlight, including ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity.

S

Silicon

A nonmetallic element (symbol: Si) that comes in amorphous and crystalline forms and occurs in a combined state in minerals and rocks. Silicon is used to create the cells found in solar panels. On Earth, it is the second most abundant element after oxygen.

Solar Cell

A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. It is the smallest basic solar electric device which generates electricity when exposed to light. Assemblies of cells are used to make solar panels, solar modules, or photovoltaic arrays.

Solar Electric

The preferred term used to describe something which uses sunlight to produce electricity. "Photovoltaic" is the more technical term.

Solar energy

Radiant energy produced and transmitted to the Earth's surface by the sun.

Solar farm

A ground-mounted facility where many PV modules are interconnected in arrays to generate power. These are usually one megawatt or more in generating capacity.

Stakeholders

People with an interest in industry activities that affect them. They may include nearby landowners, Aboriginal communities, recreational land users, other industries, environmental groups, governments and regulators.

Sustainable

Ecosystem condition in which biodiversity, renewability and resource productivity are maintained over time.

Sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (as defined by United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development).

W

Wafer

A thin slice of semiconductor used as a base material on which single transistors or integrated-circuit components are formed. Several types of solar cells are made from such wafers.

Watts

A watt is a measurement of total electrical power. Volts x amps = watts.

Watt Hour

The quantity of electrical energy used or produced when one watt is used for one hour.