Amorphous – An amorphous panel is a particular kind of PV cell. Unlike monocrystalline or multicrystalline cells (discussed in part two) amorphous panels would not be made using interconnected cells that are put together with a costly crystalline silicon. Amorphous panels rather, are made when a micro-thin silicone layer is sprayed onto some kind of backing material and turned into roof tiles. Because the silicone is significantly thinner that the wafers of silicone that make up a regular crystalline cell, the cost of materials are much less.
Active Solar – A term used to describe any kind of solar collector (such as solar panels) that is employed to harness the energy of the sun and then use that energy for the purpose of converting into electricity or heating water.
Drain Back Systems – Drain back systems are solar water systems wherein the water that collects in the solar panel is drained out and transferred to a back bottle every time the solar pump is turned off. This is then used to protect the solar system from any damage that could be caused through either boiling or freezing, without having to use any anti-freeze.
Evacuated Tubes – Evacuated Tubes are another kind of solar panel. With an evacuated tubes panel, the evacuated glass tubes are used to harness the sun’s energy and then in turn this is used to heat the water that runs through a long container that sits on top of the tubes.
Feed in Tariff – The most important term in the solar panel industry, Feed in Tariff or FIT is a government backed scheme that allows and encourages consumers to sell excess or unused electricity back into the UK national grid. It was first introduced by the previous labour government to encourage people to take up solar installations and has proven to be a popular and successful scheme.
