| Word | Description |
| Short circuit current (Isc) | The current flowing freely from a photovoltaic cell or module through an external circuit that has no load or resistance; the maximum current possible. Unit: Ampere (A). |
| Slope and Pitch | Pitch/Slope - Pitch describes the degree of slope or incline. Slope describes a surface that is not horizontal or vertical. In the construction industry pitch is generally described as a whole number, as in "the roof has a 6 pitch" meaning for every 12 horizontal inches the roof goes up 6 vertical inches, commonly expressed as 6/12. Slope generally is described as an angle, as in "the stair has a 42 degree slope" A 12/12 pitch is a 45 degree slope, a 6/12 pitch a 26 degree 34 minute slope. Here is a chart showing the relationship between Pitch/Slope. Pitch Slope 2/12 9 deg 26 min 3/12 14 deg 00 min 4/12 18 deg 28 min 5/12 22 deg 27 min 6/12 26 deg 34 min 7/12 30 deg 15 min 8/12 33 deg 41 min 9/12 36 deg 52 min 10/12 39 deg 48 min 11/12 42 deg 30 min 12/12 45 deg 00 min |
| Stand-alone photovoltaic power system | Autonomous system with storage batteries (see off-grid photovoltaic power system). |
| Standard test conditions (STC) | The testing conditions to measure photovoltaic cells or modules nominal output power. Irradiance level is 1 000 W/m2, with the reference air mass 1,5 solar spectral irradiance distribution and cell or module junction temperature of 250C. |
