• Ns: The total number of parallel-connected PV strings in the PV array.
  • I_MOD_MAX_OCPR: The PV module's maximum overcurrent protection rating determined by IEC 61730-2.
  • I_SC_MAX: The maximum short-circuit current of a PV string.
  • U_OC_MAX: The maximum open-circuit voltage of the PV string or module under certain environmental conditions.
  • In: The rated current of the protective device being used.
  • I_Z: The continuous current-carrying capacity of the PV string cable.
  • N_p: The number of parallel strings connected to the same overcurrent protective device.
  • N_a: The number of sub-arrays connected in parallel.
  • STC: Standard Test Conditions reference values of in-plane irradiance (G_I,ref = 1 000 W⋅m–2), PV cell junction temperature (25 °C), and air mass (AM = 1,5) to be used during the testing of any PV device.
  • I_SC_STC: The short-circuit current of the PV array under Standard Test Conditions (STC).
  • U_OC_STC: The open-circuit voltage of the PV module under Standard Test Conditions (STC).
  • Solar PV Inverter: A system that converts the electrical power delivered by the PV array into the appropriate frequency and/or voltage values to be delivered to the load or stored in a battery or injected into the electricity grid.
  • Power Optimiser: A unit connected to individual PV modules or groups of PV modules to allow DC conditioning of the PV output. 
  • MPPT: Maximum Power Point Tracking is a control strategy that ensures the operation of a PV array remains at or near the point on a photovoltaic device's current-voltage characteristic where the product of electric current and voltage produces the maximum electrical power under specified operating conditions.
  • Blocking diode: Diode connected in series with module(s), panel(s), sub-arrays and array(s) to block reverse current into such module(s), panel(s), sub-array(s) and array(s).
  • Bypass diode: Diode connected across one or more cells in the forward current direction to allow the module current to bypass shaded or broken cells to prevent hot spot or hot cell damage resulting from the reverse voltage biasing from the other cells in that module.
  • Charge controller: Unit used between a battery and a PV array to regulate charge delivered to the battery.
  • PV array: Assembly of electrically interconnected PV modules, PV strings or PV sub-arrays. 
  • PV cell: The most elementary device that exhibits the photovoltaic effect, i.e. the direct non-thermal conversion of radiant energy into electrical energy.
  • PV module: A complete and environmentally protected assembly of interconnected photovoltaic cells. 
  • PV string: A circuit of one or more series-connected modules
  • PV sub-array: An electrical subset of a PV array formed of parallel connected PV strings.
  • SLD: Single-Line Diagram