Glossary

Solar Cell: A device that converts the energy of sunlight into electric energy.

Galvanometer: An instrument used to detect, measure, and determine the direction of small electric currents by means of mechanical effects produced by a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field.

Selenium: A nonmetallic element. Its photovoltaic and photoconductive actions make it useful in photocells, photographic exposure meters, and solar cells.

Photovoltaic: Producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy (especially light)

Turbine: machine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted to mechanical power

Kerosene: A thin oil distilled from petroleum or shale oil, used as a fuel for heating.

Renewable energy: Sources of energy which are inexhaustible because their use today does not diminish their availability tomorrow. Solar, wind and hydropower are examples.

Active solar heating: a process that uses devices to collect, store, and circulate heat produced from solar energy.

Mechanical Energy: the energy of motion used to perform work. E.g.: When a person peddles a bicycle, the energy from their body is used to put the bicycle into motion.