RESIDENTIAL PRODUCTS
Homeowners

Glossary

Preheat System:

Describes an add-on solar water heater tank, which can be installed beside a conventional electric or gas water heater.

Safe Low Temperature Rating or Minimum Operating Temperature Rating:

Outside temperature that defines the lower limit for freeze-protection of the solar water heater.

Solar Collector:

A device that absorbs solar energy and converts it into useable heat.

Solar Contribution:

Amount of solar energy that a solar water heater converts into hot water on an average day.

Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) System:

Describes a stand-alone residential solar water heater that is installed beside a conventional water heater. It is also a name sometimes used by a solar specialist for a residential solar water heater.

Solar Fraction:

Percentage of total water heating load provided by the solar water heater.

Storage Unit:

Tank or vessel that stores the solar heated water. Some systems have only a single tank, and use the same tank for storing solar heated water and water heated with auxiliary energy. Other systems use two separate tanks for storing solar-heated water and water heated with auxiliary energy.

Gigajoule (GJ):

Unit of energy equal to 1 billion joules, 950,000 BTU's, 278 kWh of electricity, 25.8 litres of oil, 26.9 m(3) of natural gas, or 39.2 litres of propane.

Solar Photovoltaic Panel:

A group of modules fastened together are made up of cells that convert light directly into electricity. The term "panel" is often used interchangeably with the term "module".