Cells? Modules? Bell Labs use to call them solar batteries. Call them what you will, but please buy and use them.
Nomenclature from micro to macro: Cell > Module > Panel > Sub-array > Array > Power Field. >From Solar Photovoltaic Applications Seminar: Design, Installation and >Operation of Small, Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems, July 1980, >DOE/CS/32522-T1 (with thanks to Jim Fortenberry for his copy when the DOE shut >down the PV Division of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1984): A PV array is composed of many subarrays, panels, modules, and cells in various series, parallel, star, and delta combinations. Individual cells are wired together and mounted to produce a module. >From UL 1703: 2. Glossary 2.13 Module (Flat-Plate) - The smallest environmentally protected, essentially planar assembly of solar cells and ancillary parts, such as interconnects and terminals, intended to generate dc power under unconcentrated sunlight. The structural (load-carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer (superstrate), or the back layer (substrate), in which: a) The superstrate is the transparent material forming the to (light-facing) outer surface of the module. If load-carrying, this constitutes a structural superstrate. b) The substrate is the material forming the back out surface of a module. If load-carrying, this constitutes a structural substrate. 2.15 Panel (Flat-Plate) - A collection of modules mechanically fastened together, wired, and designed to provide a field-installable unit. Cell/Module/Panel factoids: There are such things as non-solar PV cells and modules. In 1983, a UCLA researcher used a silicon solar cell to measure the contractions (beats) of a heart cell. The heart cell was viewed on a television screen that was connected to a microscope. The solar cell was taped to the TV screen. When the cell contracted, the photons emitted by the TV screen changed causing the solar cell to generate current that was then recorded. In 1993, while at Solec International, I had a customer who used a small custom solar module mounted near the combustion chamber of a natural gas heater. The solar module used the photons emitted by the combusted gas to power the gas flow regulator. In 1994, while at Solar Integrated Technologies, I got the first UL listing for a photovoltaic panel (not module). Joel Davidson ----- Original Message ----- From: benn kilburn To: Wrenches Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 2:49 PM Subject: [RE-wrenches] module / panel Wrenchers, Which term do you to describe a single framed unit with either a j-box or two wire leads on the back, module or panel? Which term do you believe to be correct and why? My interpretation is that a single framed unit is a module. Any number of modules attached to a single detached 'rack' is a panel, and a group of panels with the same orientation or mounting location/type is an array. If you agree with my interpretation, what are your thoughts on the widespread use of the term 'panel' to describe a module. thanks, benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. b...@daystarsolar.ca 780-906-7807 HAVE A SUNNY DAY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
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