Array, Solar Array, Solar Photovoltaic Array

Array – also Solar Array, Solar Photovoltaic Array or Photovoltaic Array – a set of solar photovoltaic modules or panels, mechanically assembled together combining also devices to mount the array or position it, to create a single unit to serve same role as a panel – transform solar energy to electric but with combined characteristics of the array – combined voltage or current rating. An array is also one step up from a module in the process of building a solar photovoltaic system in the way of having the panels mounted and positioned, connected to a single (if we treat ground lead separately) output lead, eventually through blocking diodes, that further is to be connected to some sort of a junction box to output leads from other solar arrays and from there to an inverter, charge controller and, or a DC load circuit. According to the the National Electric Code (NEC) (see entry here in this glossary) in the hierarchy of the design of a solar photovoltaic system solar panel falls between solar panel and solar photovoltaic system. I.e. a solar system includes among other components one or a set of arrays (if not a single panel) and an array is a set of panels (again along other components to combine these panels and provide for the functionality of the array).