SMA Sunny Island 5048 Installation Instructions Manual page 167

SMA
Technologie AG Glossary
Self discharge
Loss of battery charge while it is stored or not used. A higher ambient temperature has
a strong influence on self discharge.
Series connection
In this case the positive pole of each battery is connected to the negative pole of the
next battery. There is only one circuit where current can flow. Series connection incre-
ases the voltage of the entire battery bank. If four 12 V batteries with a capacity of 100
Ah each are connected in series, the total voltage is 4 × 12 V = 48 V, while the total
capacity remains at 100 Ah.
SOC
State of Charge: The charge level of the batteries, see Charge level. If (e.g) 25 Ah is
taken from a 100-Ah battery, the charge level (SOC) is then 75 %.
Solar energy
"Sun energy", this means energy from sunlight or other solar irradiation (heat and/or
UV radiation).
Solar module
Electrical connection of several solar cells encapsulated in a housing to protect the sen-
sitive cells from mechanical stress and environmental effects.
Solar cell
An electronic component that generates electrical energy when irradiated with sunlight.
Since the voltage produced by a solar cell is very small (approx. 0.5 V), several solar
cells are combined to form a solar module. The most common semiconductor material
presently used for solar cells is silicon, which is manufactured in different forms (mono-
crystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous). In addition to different mechanical variations,
that are usually designed to increase the level of efficiency, completely new materials
are currently being tested (Cadmium Telluride, Cadmium Indium Sulphide, Titanium Di-
oxide and many others.)
Stand-alone grid system
An energy generation system that is completely independent of any external power
sources.
String
Describes a group of solar modules connected in series. A PV system usually consists of
a number of strings, which avoids yield losses due to variations in shading over different
modules.
Technical Description SI5048-11:EE4206 Seite 167