The BIPVco Renewable Energy Jargon Buster: Helping You Cut Through the Solar Speak
The world of renewable energy can be full of impressive acronyms and technical phrases. But we get it, not everyone speaks ‘solar’.
At BIPVco, we make building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) simple, seamless, and sustainable. Whether you’re an architect, specifier, contractor or curious building owner, this jargon buster will help you feel confident as you explore solar solutions. Below is part one of the Jargon Buster terms that are commonly found in our industry and beyond!
Architectural Solar – Solar systems that complement, rather than compromise building design.
BAPV (Building-Applied Photovoltaics) – Solar panels installed on top of existing building surfaces.
Battery Storage – Systems that store surplus solar energy for later use.
BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) – Solar modules designed to be a part of the building envelope, such as roofs or facades.
BRoof(t4) – The highest UK fire safety classification for roofing systems, met by BIPVco products.
Bypass Diodes – Electrical components that protect solar modules by redirecting current around shaded or faulty cells.
Carbon Footprint – The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by a person, building or process.
Carbon Neutral – Balancing emitted carbon with carbon savings or offsets to achieve a net-zero carbon impact.
Carbon Positive – Going beyond carbon neutrality by removing more CO2 than is emitted – often through renewable generation and offsetting.
CIGS Cells (Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide) – Thin-film, flexible solar cell technology used in BIPVco modules.
Climate Change – The long-term alteration of global weather patterns, largely driven by greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, solar helps mitigate its effects by reducing on fossil fuels.
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) – A company’s commitment to ethical, social and environmental sustainability goals.
Current at Maximum Power – Current flowing at a module’s peak output point.
Efficiency (of Solar Panels) – The percentage of sunlight converted to usable electricity.
Inverters – Devices that convert DC from solar modules into AC for building use and grid export.
Irradiance – The measure of solar energy received on a surface, affecting performance.
kWh (Kilowatt Hour) – Unit of energy used to measure electricity consumption and production.
kWp (Kilowatt Peak) – Maximum rated output of a solar system under STC.
Maximum Power Point (Pmax) – The point at which voltage and current combine to yield the most power.
MCS Certification – UK Quality assurance for solar products and installers, ensuring performance and safety.
Microclimate (Between Solar Panel and Roof) – The Localised air layer between a panel and the roof surface; can affect cooling and output.
MIPV (Mobile-Integrated Photovoltaics) – Solar technology integrated into vehicles and mobile platforms for on-the-go power.
Net-Zero – A building or business that generates as much energy as it consumes over a year.
Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc) – Maximum voltage a solar module produces when not connected to a load.
Photovoltaic (PV) – The technology that converts sunlight into electricity using semiconductor materials.
Retrofit – Adding new technologies to existing structures, such as BIPV solar.
Standard Test Conditions (STC) – Lab Test Conditions (1000W/m² Irradiance, 25ºC cell temp) used to standardise solar performance ratings.
Short-Circuit Current (Isc) – Current produced when module output terminals are directly connected.
The Energy Trilema – Balancing energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability, BIPV supports all three.
The Grid – The national or regional electricity supply network.
Voltage at Maximum Power (Vmp) – Voltage at which a module produces its maximum power output.
Got questions? Get in touch. We’re happy to talk solar (without the jargon).