Sol Cache-Solar Energy

Glossary

ASSESSMENT

INVESTIGATION

ONLINE RESOURCES

BACKGROUND

Color Absorption

Energy Audit

Solar Ovens

Student Glossary of Terms

absorption The light energy that is captured by a surface.

albedo The reflected light from the atmosphere and surface of a planet.

angle of incidence The angle at which light strikes an object or a surface measured from the normal to the surface (90° from the point the light strikes).

energy The ability to do work. Measured in joules (J).

energy audit A detailed study of the energy use in a house or other building for the purpose of improving energy efficiency.

insolation A measure of the amount of solar radiation striking a surface. Maximum insolation on the Earth's surface occurs when the sun is directly overhead, and is about 1000 watts per square meter. Do not confuse with "inSULation" below!

insulation Material used to slow the transfer of heat. Used to make buildings more energy efficient. Do not confuse with "inSOLation" above!

joule(J) One joule is the amount of work required to exert a force of one newton through a distance of one meter.

kilowatt hour (kWh) Unit used to describe the power produced by an energy source; one kWh equals 1000 watts sustained for one hour.

kinetic energy Energy possessed in a moving object.

photon A particle of light; a discreet packet of energy.

photovoltaic cells Solar cells that collect solar radiation and convert it into electrical energy.

potential energy Energy of position; energy stored for use such as chemical energy stored in matter.

power The rate of doing work or the amount of work done in a given time. The unit of power is the watt (W).

radiation The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves. Radiation from the sun travels 93 million miles through space to Earth and then travels through our atmosphere.

reflection The light energy that bounces off of a surface.

renewable energy Energy that can be efficiently replenished or obtained from waste products. Examples include solar energy, geothermal energy, wind power, and tidal power.

solar radiation Energy as visible light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation originating from our Sun.

solar thermal Use of solar radiation to provide heat for a wide variety of tasks.

spectrum The range of colors of light as determined by wavelength.

therm Unit of energy commonly used in the U.S.A. for heating bills. One therm is the heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

watt(W) Unit of power. Equal to one joule of work per second (J/s).

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