Difference between revisions of "Sandbox"

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Revision as of 10:09, 21 May 2024

  • System Lifecycle Stage
  • Applicability
  • Solar products and systems
  • Off-grid storage
  • Fuel generators
  • Components
  • Financial services for solar products
Term Description Manufacturing Operation Maintenance End-of-Life
Accesory A device supplementing a main device or apparatus, by adding to its functionality as an add-on or exchangeable device. x x
Administration of maintenance Ensures effective implementation, control, and documentation of maintenance services and results. x
After sales service After-sales services include all post-sale activities that help customers use and maintain the products. These services include installation of the product, providing technical support to customers, offering warranty coverage, ensuring spare parts availability, and repair service x x
Ammeter The meter / device used for measuring current flowing through a conductor. x x
Amorphous silicon Non-crystalline form of silicon formed using silicon vapour which is quickly cooled. x
Analogue controls Controls using variable voltage or current to pass information. x x
Assembly A set of components assembled into a single part x x
Availability Availability is the ratio of time a system or component is functional to the total time it is required or expected to function. It can be expressed as a percentage or proportion. x x
Backup protection Type of protection intended to operate only after the main protective device(s) has failed to operate. x x
Base load The portion of load of a generator or building which is constant. x x
Battery-coupled water pumping systems PV pumping system that consists of photovoltaic (PV) panels, charge control regulator, batteries, pump controller, pressure switch and tank and DC water pump x x
Booster Pump A surface pump used to increase pressure in a water line or to pull water from a storage tank and pressurize a water system. x x
Cable Splice A joint in an electrical cable. x x
Centrifugal Pump A pumping mechanism that spins water by means of an impeller. Water is forced out of the impeller by centrifugal force, thus giving energy (head) to the water. x x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Check Valve A valve that allows water to flow one way but not the other. x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x
Commissioning The process of “handing-over” the system to the client, i.e., ensuring that all system components have been properly installed, are in good condition and that the system is operating as expected. x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Component A component is a part that cannot be further disassembled except by destructive means. Examples of components include batteries, cables, lighting elements, and plastic housing. x x x x
Condition-based maintenance The practice of using real-time information from data loggers to schedule preventive measures such as cleaning or to head off corrective maintenance problems by anticipating failures or catching them early. x
Connection A connection forms a relationship between two components. x x x x
Consumable Product content that is foreseen to be frequently replaced or refilled during the normal life time of the product, such as filters, lubricants, refrigerants, heat exchange liquids, etc. x x x x
Corrective maintenance Required to repair damage or replace failed components. x
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) It is a variation of cradle-to-grave, exchanging the waste stage with a recycling process that makes it reusable for another product, essentially “closing the loop”. x x x x
Cradle to Gate Cradle-to-gate is an assessment of a partial product life cycle from resource extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (ie, before it is transported to the consumer). x x x x
Cradle to Grave Cradle-to-grave is the full life cycle assessment from resource extraction (‘cradle’) to the use phase and disposal phase (‘grave’). x x x x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Data Logging Monitoring and recording key system parameters x x
Data Sheet Data sheets are used to capture process, mechanical, electrical, and control requirements for equipment and instruments. x x
Design for disassembly It involves designing products to maximise the ease with which they can be taken apart for repair or separated for recycling. This involves reducing the complexity and number of tools required, reducing the time taken and minimising any permanent damage to the product. x x x
Design for the environment (DfE) DfE optimizes a product’s performance over the complete lifecycle. It employs design approaches to reduce the overall human health and environmental impacts of a product, process or service, where impacts are considered across its lifecycle. DfE principles, first introduced by William McDonough Architects and Dr. Michael Braungart in 1992, have been expanded upon and adopted by design professionals, scholars and government agencies. x x x
Diaphragm Pump A type of pump in which water is drawn in and forced out of one or more chambers by a flexible diaphragm. Check valves let water into and out of each chamber. x x
Direct Re-use Use, by a person other than its previous owner or user, of products for the same purpose for which they were conceived without any preparation for reuse, except minimal cleaning and adjustments that can be performed by the owner themselves (therefore, also called second-hand products). x
Direct-coupled pumping systems PV pumping system sized to store extra water on sunny days so it is available on cloudy days and at night. x x
Disassemblibility Characteristic of a product which can be disassembled in several parts without destruction, and subsequently be reassembled (with the same or equivalent parts) and made operational. x x x
Disassembly A process whereby an item is taken apart in such a way that it could subsequently be reassembled and made operational. x x
Disassembly Disassembly is a process in which a product is separated into its components and/or subassemblies by non-destructive operations. x x
Disjointment A process whereby materials are separated by mechanical means such that the item cannot subsequently be reassembled to make it operational, for example, by cutting, grinding, scratching and abrasive processes. x
Disposal Disposal is the process of directing end of life material to discharge, such as incineration or landfill. x
Downcycle Downcycle is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality. x x
Drawdown The lowering of the level of water in a well due to pumping x x
Drop Pipe The pipe that carries water from a pump in a well up to the surface. x x
E-waste E-waste is short for ‘electronic waste’ which means electronic goods and their parts that become waste products from formerly functioning electronics such as televisions, mobile phones and solar lights. x
End-of-Life End of life (EOL) is the final stage in a product’s lifecycle, once the product is at the end of its useful life. x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product’s life cycle. An EPR policy is characterised by (1) shifting responsibility (physically and/or economically; fully or partially) upstream towards the producers and away from governments and (2) the provision of incentives to producers to take into account environmental considerations when designing their products. x x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) It represents a globally accepted concept for products and waste streams posing significant risks to human health and the environment. This concept says that economic operators placing such products onto the market carry responsibility for the sound end-oflife management of an equivalent amount of waste of such products. x x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Float Switch Turns a pump on and off when filling the stock tank. It is wired to the pump controller. x x
Flow Rate The amount of fluid that flows in a given time, normally expressed in units of

gallons per minute (gpm) in solar-powered systems.

x x
Foot Valve A check valve placed in the water source below a surface pump. It prevents water from flowing back down the pipe and causing the pump to lose prime. x x
Full Warranty Provides full coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts and any required labour (for 12 months). x x
Ground fault A fault, or insulation failure, in the wire used to create a path to ground. x x x
Grounding The process of giving electrical lightning surges a direct path to the ground that bypasses valuable equipment. x x
Hibernation Customers often hold on to their offgrid solar products after their end-of-life. This is because when a consumer electronic reaches the end of its useful life it is common for consumers to store it for a period of time. It is a significant barrier to the effective flow of value within the circular economic model. x
Incineration Waste incinerators use the process of combustion to convert the waste materials into carbon dioxide and water. x
Installation Warranty This is the part of the warranty that is the responsibility of the system installer and covers their workmanship as opposed to the panels or inverters within the system. It is also important to understand whether the installer or solar retailer will assist in enacting any manufacturer warranties should a fault occur with a major system component. x x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Inverter The purpose of an inverter is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity into the form of current suitable for Alternating Current (AC) electrical appliances and/or exportable to the AC grid. x x x x
Landfill A landfill is a waste disposal site for the deposit of waste onto or into land. x
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) The act of measuring the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from the resources used to create the product or service, across its use by the user, to it's final end of life destination. x x x x
Lifecycle A product’s lifecycle refers to the life of a product from its design, raw material extraction and manufacture through its useful life and into its end of life disposal, recycle or reuse. x x
Limited Warranty (12-month) Coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts (labor costs not included) x x
Linear Current Booster (LCB) Linear current booster optimizes the current in the pump motor while sacrificing the voltage. LCB is especially useful in low sunlight condition as they ensure the solar pump continues to pump water although this might be done at less power. LCB also stabilize the current from the PV panels and ensure your DC water pump is working in low sunlight conditions. x x
Maintenance A set of procedures to ensure the serviceability of a product. It also refers to activities covered under "preventive maintenance" (see definition). x x
Maintenance Service Contracts (MSC) MSC defines the period over which the maintenance (Preventive Maintenance and/or Corrective Maintenance) actions are to be carried out and the payment to be made by the owner of the system to the service provider, over a defined period. x x
Manufacturer's Warranty Otherwise referred to as “limited warranties,” manufacturer warranties are automatically bundled with the purchase of a manufacturer’s product.What makes them “limited?” Manufacturer warranties are only viable for a very specific window of time following the product purchase date. Generally, this time frame ranges from 90 days to an entire year with coverage offered as a product replacement plan rather than a complete repair option. x x
Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) A mobile machine that is intended to move persons to working positions where they are carrying out work from the work platform with the intention that persons are getting on and off the work platform only at access positions at ground level or on the chassis and which consists as a minimum of a work platform with controls, an extending structure and a chassis. x x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Monocrystalline silicon Silicon manufactured in such a way that if forms a continuous single crystal without grain boundaries. x
Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump A centrifugal pump with multiple impellers arranged in series to produce higher pressure (head). x x
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Occupational Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. x x
Ohmmeter The device which measures the resistance and the continuity of an electrical circuit and its components. It measures this resistance in Ohms (Ω). x x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Performance Guarantee A solar panel performance guarantee establishes a base electricity production over the lifetime of the panels. The amount of electricity a solar panel produces slightly declines every year they are in use. This decline in production is fairly predictable as the power output should not lose more than 10-20% production over the first 25 years. If the panels drop below this at any time, a performance guarantee fixes or replaces any faulty panels so that the system is performing at optimal capacity. x x
Performance Warranty Type of warranty provided by the supplier to ensure that the system as a whole will meet or exceed the design performance for a number of years. x x
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. x x
Pico products Pico products include small, portable solar lanterns, flashlights, or lanterns designed to meet basic lighting needs as a direct replacement for kerosene lamps in a small household. x x x x
Poly- or multicrystalline silicon Silicon manufactured in such a way that it consists of a number of small crystals, forming grains. x
Positive Displacement Pump Any mechanism that seals water in a chamber, then forces it out by reducing the volume of the chamber (e.g., a piston (including a jack), diaphragm, or rotary vane). It is used for low volume and high lift. (Contrast with Centrifugal Pump.) x x
Preparation for re-use A sequence of operations by which products, or parts thereof, are prepared so that they can be used by a person other than its previous owner or user, for the same purpose for which they were conceived.

Preparation of Re-use of products includes cleaning, testing, repairing, etc. and can apply to both hardware and software settings and updates. Preparation of re-use of parts or components includes extracting them from the product where they are installed so that they can be used to build or repair other products.

x x x
Preventive maintenance Maintenance carried out according to predetermined technical criteria, indicated in the instructions for use or manufacturers technical documentation, with the intention of reducing the likelihood of equipment failure or degradation of a service rendered. x
Priming The process of hand filling the suction and intake pipes of a surface pump with water. Priming is generally necessary when a pump is located above the water source. x x
Product/Equipment Warranty Solar panel equipment warranties cover the physical panels themselves. This includes any manufacturing defects, durability issues, or equipment failure. The warranty typically covers the cost of replacing the faulty or damaged panel with a new working one. Most equipment warranties for solar panels last between 10 - 15 years but some premium panels have warranties for up to 25 years. x x
Pump Controller An electronic device that controls or processes power between the solar array and the pump. It may perform any of the following functions: stopping and starting the pump, protecting the pump from overload, and converting or matching power. x x
Re-purpose To change a product so that it can be used for a different purpose. x
Re-use Any operation by which products or parts thereof are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived. x x
Re-use The use of components and modules obtained from end of life products as spare parts or in other products. x
Recycle Recycling is the process of recovering scrap materials from products at their end of life stage and converting them to reusable materials. x
Refurbish Processing an end of life product such that its full functionality is restored. x
Refurbishing Functional or aesthetical maintenance or repair of an item to restore to original, upgraded, or other predetermined form and functionality. x x
Reliability The ability of a computer-related hardware or software component to consistently perform according to its specifications. It includes solar products and systems, including the digital infrastructure to operate and maintain the products / systems. x x
Remanufacture Production process that creates products using parts taken from previously used products. x x
Repair The process of returning the product to serviceability, sometimes referred to as "corrective maintenance". x x
Repair Repair is aimed at restoring the product’s functionality after its failure. It often includes partial disassembly, component replacement and reassembly. x x
Reparability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately repaired or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Replaceable part Part of a product, that can be replaced in order to repair or upgrade a product, including replacement of software, accessories and consumables. x x
Reusability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts or the product as a whole to be used again for the same purpose. x x
Reversible connection Reversible disassembly operations are non-destructive actions that can be accomplished with relative ease, such as screwing and unscrewing or snapping and unsnapping. Reversible connections are important for repairing a product and not damaging fasteners or components. x x
Rework Transforming products, which are not produced according to the standards, into products that meet the standards of properly produced items. x x
Safety Data Sheet / SDS (or Material Safety Data Sheet / MSDS) The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. x x
Scaffolding Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. These are a solution for working on heights or inaccesible parts of a building during solar PV installations. x x
Sealed Piston Pump A type of pump recently developed for solar submersibles. The pistons have a very short stroke, allowing the use of flexible gaskets to seal water out of the oilfilled mechanisms. x x
Self-Priming Pump A pump that is able to draw some air suction in order to prime itself, at least in theory. (See Priming.) x x
Separation (before recycling) Once a product has reached its end of life, the materials within it need to be separated in order for them to be recycled. The use of glue and other adhesives which prohibit this separation process makes recycling more difficult. x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Serviceability Serviceability is an expression of the ease with which a component, device or system can be maintained and repaired.

Also: "ability of a product to perform the specified functions" [SOURCE: ISO 4306-1:1990, definition 1.2]

x x x
Short circuit A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal path. The term comes from the fact that such currents bypass the normal load (i.e., it finds a “short” path around the load). x x x
Signage Signs that ensure the safety of installed PV systems. x x
Solar array mounting system The equipment used to safely secure the PV modules to the mounting surface or ground. x x
Solar cell Cells in a PV module made from semiconductor materials that convert sunlight to D.C. electricity. When light energy strikes the cell, electrons are knocked loose from the material’s atoms. Electrical conductors attached to the positive and negative sides of the material allow the electrons to be captured in the form of a D.C. current. x
Solar Panel Warranty A guarantee from the solar panel manufacturer or installer to ensure production levels and equipment reliability. The performance and equipment guarantees vary between products and solar companies, typically lasting between 10-25 years. A solar panel warranty has two distinct parts: product/equipment warranties and a performance guarantee. x x
Solar photovoltaic water pumping (SWP) Pumping system that uses energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to power an electric water pump. x x
Solar Tracking System The tracking system ensures your solar panels are producing at nearly optimum condition during the sun hours. The trackers monitor the position of the sun and move your solar panels to ensure that they are always facing the sun. So your tracker moves the solar panels early in the morning, during the day and late in the evening. x x
Spare Part A part which can replace a faulty, failed or worn-out replaceable part. x x x x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Submersible Pump A motor/pump combination designed to be placed entirely below the water surface. x x
Surface Pump A pump that is not submersible in the water body. It must be placed no more than about 20 feet above the surface of the water in the well. x x
Thin Film Technology used to produce solar cells based on very thin layers of PV materials deposited over an inexpensive material (glass, stainless steel, plastic). x
Upcycle To reuse discarded objects or materials in ways that create a new product with higher value than the objects or materials alone. x x
Upgradability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately upgraded or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x
Upgrade A process to enhance the functionality or capacity of a product, including both hardware and software. x x
Vane Pump A positive displacement mechanism used in low volume, high lift surface pumps and booster pumps, also known as a “rotary vane.” It is durable and efficient, but should be used only for pumping clean water due to its mechanical precision. x x
Voltmeter Instrument used to measure difference in potential between two points. x x
Warranty / Base Warranty A warranty is a legal contract which requires the manufacturer to either rectify or compensate for all failures occurring within the warranty period. x x
Term Description Manufacturing Operation Maintenance End-of-Life
Accesory A device supplementing a main device or apparatus, by adding to its functionality as an add-on or exchangeable device. x x
Administration of maintenance Ensures effective implementation, control, and documentation of maintenance services and results. x
After sales service After-sales services include all post-sale activities that help customers use and maintain the products. These services include installation of the product, providing technical support to customers, offering warranty coverage, ensuring spare parts availability, and repair service x x
Ammeter The meter / device used for measuring current flowing through a conductor. x x
Anti-oxidant Chemical compound used to prevent oxidation (corrosion of metals). Applied to exposed wires and terminals to prevent corrosion. x
Assembly A set of components assembled into a single part x x
Availability Availability is the ratio of time a system or component is functional to the total time it is required or expected to function. It can be expressed as a percentage or proportion. x x
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) Warranty Warranties for BESS provide mechanisms for buyers and investors to mitigate the technical and operational risks of battery projects, by transferring the risk of a manufacturing defect or performance issues to the manufacturer or the battery vendor. Warranties are used in the same way for traditional generation technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind. They typically warrant that the BESS components remain free from defects and performance over the course of the warranty period (up to 15 years for long-term warranties), providing that certain operating conditions, usage patterns, and other warranty conditions are met. x x
Battery state of charge (SOC) SOC is the level of charge of an electric battery relative to its capacity. Must be checked on weekly basis as part of preventative maintenance of batteries. x x
Battery-coupled water pumping systems PV pumping system that consists of photovoltaic (PV) panels, charge control regulator, batteries, pump controller, pressure switch and tank and DC water pump x x
Cable Splice A joint in an electrical cable. x x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x
Commissioning The process of “handing-over” the system to the client, i.e., ensuring that all system components have been properly installed, are in good condition and that the system is operating as expected. x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Component A component is a part that cannot be further disassembled except by destructive means. Examples of components include batteries, cables, lighting elements, and plastic housing. x x x x
Condition-based maintenance The practice of using real-time information from data loggers to schedule preventive measures such as cleaning or to head off corrective maintenance problems by anticipating failures or catching them early. x
Connection A connection forms a relationship between two components. x x x x
Consumable Product content that is foreseen to be frequently replaced or refilled during the normal life time of the product, such as filters, lubricants, refrigerants, heat exchange liquids, etc. x x x x
Corrective maintenance Required to repair damage or replace failed components. x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Data Logging Monitoring and recording key system parameters x x
Data Sheet Data sheets are used to capture process, mechanical, electrical, and control requirements for equipment and instruments. x x
Direct Re-use Use, by a person other than its previous owner or user, of products for the same purpose for which they were conceived without any preparation for reuse, except minimal cleaning and adjustments that can be performed by the owner themselves (therefore, also called second-hand products). x
Disassemblibility Characteristic of a product which can be disassembled in several parts without destruction, and subsequently be reassembled (with the same or equivalent parts) and made operational. x x x
Disassembly A process whereby an item is taken apart in such a way that it could subsequently be reassembled and made operational. x x
Disassembly Disassembly is a process in which a product is separated into its components and/or subassemblies by non-destructive operations. x x
Disjointment A process whereby materials are separated by mechanical means such that the item cannot subsequently be reassembled to make it operational, for example, by cutting, grinding, scratching and abrasive processes. x
Disposal Disposal is the process of directing end of life material to discharge, such as incineration or landfill. x
Downcycle Downcycle is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality. x x
E-waste E-waste is short for ‘electronic waste’ which means electronic goods and their parts that become waste products from formerly functioning electronics such as televisions, mobile phones and solar lights. x
End-of-Life End of life (EOL) is the final stage in a product’s lifecycle, once the product is at the end of its useful life. x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Flooded led acid batteries These are the most common lead-acid batteries used in solar applications. They contain vents which allow the resulting hydrogen gas from electrolysis escape. As a result, the electrolyte level will fall over a period of time, and must be monitored and topped up with water, preferably demineralised water. x x x x
Full Warranty Provides full coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts and any required labour (for 12 months). x x
Ground fault A fault, or insulation failure, in the wire used to create a path to ground. x x x
Grounding The process of giving electrical lightning surges a direct path to the ground that bypasses valuable equipment. x x
Hibernation Customers often hold on to their offgrid solar products after their end-of-life. This is because when a consumer electronic reaches the end of its useful life it is common for consumers to store it for a period of time. It is a significant barrier to the effective flow of value within the circular economic model. x
Hydrometer Device used to measure the battery's state of charge (SOC) by determining the specific gravity of the electrolyte. x x
Incineration Waste incinerators use the process of combustion to convert the waste materials into carbon dioxide and water. x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Landfill A landfill is a waste disposal site for the deposit of waste onto or into land. x
Lifecycle A product’s lifecycle refers to the life of a product from its design, raw material extraction and manufacture through its useful life and into its end of life disposal, recycle or reuse. x x
Limited Warranty (12-month) Coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts (labor costs not included) x x
Lithium Ion Batteries A type of rechargebale battery that's generally smaller and lighter for the same capacity, are faster at charging, and are less susceptible to degradation due to charging and discharging compared to other batteries . However, lithium ion batteries have a very high up-front cost and they can be sensitive to extreme temperature and voltages. x x x x
Maintenance A set of procedures to ensure the serviceability of a product. It also refers to activities covered under "preventive maintenance" (see definition). x x
Maintenance Service Contracts (MSC) MSC defines the period over which the maintenance (Preventive Maintenance and/or Corrective Maintenance) actions are to be carried out and the payment to be made by the owner of the system to the service provider, over a defined period. x x
Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) A mobile machine that is intended to move persons to working positions where they are carrying out work from the work platform with the intention that persons are getting on and off the work platform only at access positions at ground level or on the chassis and which consists as a minimum of a work platform with controls, an extending structure and a chassis. x x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Occupational Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. x x
Ohmmeter The device which measures the resistance and the continuity of an electrical circuit and its components. It measures this resistance in Ohms (Ω). x x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Performance Warranty Type of warranty provided by the supplier to ensure that the system as a whole will meet or exceed the design performance for a number of years. x x
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. x x
Preparation for re-use A sequence of operations by which products, or parts thereof, are prepared so that they can be used by a person other than its previous owner or user, for the same purpose for which they were conceived.

Preparation of Re-use of products includes cleaning, testing, repairing, etc. and can apply to both hardware and software settings and updates. Preparation of re-use of parts or components includes extracting them from the product where they are installed so that they can be used to build or repair other products.

x x x
Preventive maintenance Maintenance carried out according to predetermined technical criteria, indicated in the instructions for use or manufacturers technical documentation, with the intention of reducing the likelihood of equipment failure or degradation of a service rendered. x
Re-purpose To change a product so that it can be used for a different purpose. x
Re-use Any operation by which products or parts thereof are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived. x x
Re-use The use of components and modules obtained from end of life products as spare parts or in other products. x
Recycle Recycling is the process of recovering scrap materials from products at their end of life stage and converting them to reusable materials. x
Refurbish Processing an end of life product such that its full functionality is restored. x
Refurbishing Functional or aesthetical maintenance or repair of an item to restore to original, upgraded, or other predetermined form and functionality. x x
Reliability The ability of a computer-related hardware or software component to consistently perform according to its specifications. It includes solar products and systems, including the digital infrastructure to operate and maintain the products / systems. x x
Repair The process of returning the product to serviceability, sometimes referred to as "corrective maintenance". x x
Repair Repair is aimed at restoring the product’s functionality after its failure. It often includes partial disassembly, component replacement and reassembly. x x
Reparability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately repaired or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Replaceable part Part of a product, that can be replaced in order to repair or upgrade a product, including replacement of software, accessories and consumables. x x
Reusability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts or the product as a whole to be used again for the same purpose. x x
Reversible connection Reversible disassembly operations are non-destructive actions that can be accomplished with relative ease, such as screwing and unscrewing or snapping and unsnapping. Reversible connections are important for repairing a product and not damaging fasteners or components. x x
Rework Transforming products, which are not produced according to the standards, into products that meet the standards of properly produced items. x x
Safety Data Sheet / SDS (or Material Safety Data Sheet / MSDS) The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. x x
Scaffolding Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. These are a solution for working on heights or inaccesible parts of a building during solar PV installations. x x
Separation (before recycling) Once a product has reached its end of life, the materials within it need to be separated in order for them to be recycled. The use of glue and other adhesives which prohibit this separation process makes recycling more difficult. x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Serviceability Serviceability is an expression of the ease with which a component, device or system can be maintained and repaired.

Also: "ability of a product to perform the specified functions" [SOURCE: ISO 4306-1:1990, definition 1.2]

x x x
Short circuit A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal path. The term comes from the fact that such currents bypass the normal load (i.e., it finds a “short” path around the load). x x x
Signage Signs that ensure the safety of installed PV systems. x x
Spare Part A part which can replace a faulty, failed or worn-out replaceable part. x x x x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Upgradability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately upgraded or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x
Upgrade A process to enhance the functionality or capacity of a product, including both hardware and software. x x
Valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries VRLA batteries are also known as captive electrolyte batteries where the electrolyte material is made immobile (to resemble a gel-like compound). Therefore, it is naturally sealed under normal operating conditions and it is no longer restricted in physical orientation (can be placed in any direction). It reduces the evaporation, spilling and corrosion problems that are common to wet-cell batteries. x x x x
Voltmeter Instrument used to measure difference in potential between two points. x x
Warranty / Base Warranty A warranty is a legal contract which requires the manufacturer to either rectify or compensate for all failures occurring within the warranty period. x x
Term Description Manufacturing Operation Maintenance End-of-Life
Accesory A device supplementing a main device or apparatus, by adding to its functionality as an add-on or exchangeable device. x x
Administration of maintenance Ensures effective implementation, control, and documentation of maintenance services and results. x
After sales service After-sales services include all post-sale activities that help customers use and maintain the products. These services include installation of the product, providing technical support to customers, offering warranty coverage, ensuring spare parts availability, and repair service x x
Ammeter The meter / device used for measuring current flowing through a conductor. x x
Assembly A set of components assembled into a single part x x
Asynchronous Term applied to motors or generators which operate at a speed not fixed by poleage and the supply frequency. x x
Attenuators Devices for reduction of the emission of sound (also known as silencers) x x
Auto transfer starter Transformer switching arrangement to reduce voltage applied to an electric motor during starting. x x
Automatic transfer switch A device used to automatically switch a power supply from normal to emergency when a power failure occurs. x x
Availability Availability is the ratio of time a system or component is functional to the total time it is required or expected to function. It can be expressed as a percentage or proportion. x x
Backup protection Type of protection intended to operate only after the main protective device(s) has failed to operate. x x
Base load The portion of load of a generator or building which is constant. x x
Cable Splice A joint in an electrical cable. x x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Use of a generating set or sets for the purpose of utilising the heat produced (via the exhaust and the radiator) as well as producing electricity. x x
Commissioning The process of “handing-over” the system to the client, i.e., ensuring that all system components have been properly installed, are in good condition and that the system is operating as expected. x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Component A component is a part that cannot be further disassembled except by destructive means. Examples of components include batteries, cables, lighting elements, and plastic housing. x x x x
Condition-based maintenance The practice of using real-time information from data loggers to schedule preventive measures such as cleaning or to head off corrective maintenance problems by anticipating failures or catching them early. x
Connection A connection forms a relationship between two components. x x x x
Consumable Product content that is foreseen to be frequently replaced or refilled during the normal life time of the product, such as filters, lubricants, refrigerants, heat exchange liquids, etc. x x x x
Corrective maintenance Required to repair damage or replace failed components. x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Data Logging Monitoring and recording key system parameters x x
Data Sheet Data sheets are used to capture process, mechanical, electrical, and control requirements for equipment and instruments. x x
Diesel bug The generic term for the microbial growth found within fuel systems and fuel storage tanks. Formed of a variety of different strains of fungi and bacteria. x x
Direct Re-use Use, by a person other than its previous owner or user, of products for the same purpose for which they were conceived without any preparation for reuse, except minimal cleaning and adjustments that can be performed by the owner themselves (therefore, also called second-hand products). x
Disassemblibility Characteristic of a product which can be disassembled in several parts without destruction, and subsequently be reassembled (with the same or equivalent parts) and made operational. x x x
Disassembly A process whereby an item is taken apart in such a way that it could subsequently be reassembled and made operational. x x
Disassembly Disassembly is a process in which a product is separated into its components and/or subassemblies by non-destructive operations. x x
Disjointment A process whereby materials are separated by mechanical means such that the item cannot subsequently be reassembled to make it operational, for example, by cutting, grinding, scratching and abrasive processes. x
Disposal Disposal is the process of directing end of life material to discharge, such as incineration or landfill. x
Downcycle Downcycle is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality. x x
Duty assist An arrangement where two (or more) generating sets are configured to provide mutual support in case of one piece failing to operate or needing assistance to achieve a required target: If one generating set fails to operate or cannot achieve a required target, the second (and subsequent) generating set will operate. x x
E-waste E-waste is short for ‘electronic waste’ which means electronic goods and their parts that become waste products from formerly functioning electronics such as televisions, mobile phones and solar lights. x
Electronic governor Electronic device to control and maintain the speed of an engine. x x
End-of-Life End of life (EOL) is the final stage in a product’s lifecycle, once the product is at the end of its useful life. x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Full Warranty Provides full coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts and any required labour (for 12 months). x x
Ground fault A fault, or insulation failure, in the wire used to create a path to ground. x x x
Grounding The process of giving electrical lightning surges a direct path to the ground that bypasses valuable equipment. x x
Incineration Waste incinerators use the process of combustion to convert the waste materials into carbon dioxide and water. x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Landfill A landfill is a waste disposal site for the deposit of waste onto or into land. x
Lifecycle A product’s lifecycle refers to the life of a product from its design, raw material extraction and manufacture through its useful life and into its end of life disposal, recycle or reuse. x x
Limited Warranty (12-month) Coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts (labor costs not included) x x
Maintenance A set of procedures to ensure the serviceability of a product. It also refers to activities covered under "preventive maintenance" (see definition). x x
Maintenance Service Contracts (MSC) MSC defines the period over which the maintenance (Preventive Maintenance and/or Corrective Maintenance) actions are to be carried out and the payment to be made by the owner of the system to the service provider, over a defined period. x x
Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) A mobile machine that is intended to move persons to working positions where they are carrying out work from the work platform with the intention that persons are getting on and off the work platform only at access positions at ground level or on the chassis and which consists as a minimum of a work platform with controls, an extending structure and a chassis. x x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Occupational Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. x x
Ohmmeter The device which measures the resistance and the continuity of an electrical circuit and its components. It measures this resistance in Ohms (Ω). x x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Performance Warranty Type of warranty provided by the supplier to ensure that the system as a whole will meet or exceed the design performance for a number of years. x x
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. x x
Preparation for re-use A sequence of operations by which products, or parts thereof, are prepared so that they can be used by a person other than its previous owner or user, for the same purpose for which they were conceived.

Preparation of Re-use of products includes cleaning, testing, repairing, etc. and can apply to both hardware and software settings and updates. Preparation of re-use of parts or components includes extracting them from the product where they are installed so that they can be used to build or repair other products.

x x x
Preventive maintenance Maintenance carried out according to predetermined technical criteria, indicated in the instructions for use or manufacturers technical documentation, with the intention of reducing the likelihood of equipment failure or degradation of a service rendered. x
Re-purpose To change a product so that it can be used for a different purpose. x
Re-use Any operation by which products or parts thereof are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived. x x
Re-use The use of components and modules obtained from end of life products as spare parts or in other products. x
Recycle Recycling is the process of recovering scrap materials from products at their end of life stage and converting them to reusable materials. x
Refurbish Processing an end of life product such that its full functionality is restored. x
Refurbishing Functional or aesthetical maintenance or repair of an item to restore to original, upgraded, or other predetermined form and functionality. x x
Reliability The ability of a computer-related hardware or software component to consistently perform according to its specifications. It includes solar products and systems, including the digital infrastructure to operate and maintain the products / systems. x x
Repair The process of returning the product to serviceability, sometimes referred to as "corrective maintenance". x x
Repair Repair is aimed at restoring the product’s functionality after its failure. It often includes partial disassembly, component replacement and reassembly. x x
Reparability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately repaired or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Replaceable part Part of a product, that can be replaced in order to repair or upgrade a product, including replacement of software, accessories and consumables. x x
Reusability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts or the product as a whole to be used again for the same purpose. x x
Reversible connection Reversible disassembly operations are non-destructive actions that can be accomplished with relative ease, such as screwing and unscrewing or snapping and unsnapping. Reversible connections are important for repairing a product and not damaging fasteners or components. x x
Rework Transforming products, which are not produced according to the standards, into products that meet the standards of properly produced items. x x
Safety Data Sheet / SDS (or Material Safety Data Sheet / MSDS) The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. x x
Scaffolding Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. These are a solution for working on heights or inaccesible parts of a building during solar PV installations. x x
Separation (before recycling) Once a product has reached its end of life, the materials within it need to be separated in order for them to be recycled. The use of glue and other adhesives which prohibit this separation process makes recycling more difficult. x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Serviceability Serviceability is an expression of the ease with which a component, device or system can be maintained and repaired.

Also: "ability of a product to perform the specified functions" [SOURCE: ISO 4306-1:1990, definition 1.2]

x x x
Short circuit A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal path. The term comes from the fact that such currents bypass the normal load (i.e., it finds a “short” path around the load). x x x
Signage Signs that ensure the safety of installed PV systems. x x
Spare Part A part which can replace a faulty, failed or worn-out replaceable part. x x x x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Upgradability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately upgraded or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x
Upgrade A process to enhance the functionality or capacity of a product, including both hardware and software. x x
Voltmeter Instrument used to measure difference in potential between two points. x x
Warranty / Base Warranty A warranty is a legal contract which requires the manufacturer to either rectify or compensate for all failures occurring within the warranty period. x x
Term Description Manufacturing Operation Maintenance End-of-Life
Ammeter The meter / device used for measuring current flowing through a conductor. x x
Analogue controls Controls using variable voltage or current to pass information. x x
Assembly A set of components assembled into a single part x x
Battery A battery is a device which is used to store electrical charge. x x x x
Booster Pump A surface pump used to increase pressure in a water line or to pull water from a storage tank and pressurize a water system. x x
Cable Splice A joint in an electrical cable. x x
Centrifugal Pump A pumping mechanism that spins water by means of an impeller. Water is forced out of the impeller by centrifugal force, thus giving energy (head) to the water. x x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Check Valve A valve that allows water to flow one way but not the other. x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Conduit A special reinforced tube through which a cable moves. x x x x
Corrective maintenance Required to repair damage or replace failed components. x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Data Logging Monitoring and recording key system parameters x x
Data Sheet Data sheets are used to capture process, mechanical, electrical, and control requirements for equipment and instruments. x x
Diaphragm Pump A type of pump in which water is drawn in and forced out of one or more chambers by a flexible diaphragm. Check valves let water into and out of each chamber. x x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product’s life cycle. An EPR policy is characterised by (1) shifting responsibility (physically and/or economically; fully or partially) upstream towards the producers and away from governments and (2) the provision of incentives to producers to take into account environmental considerations when designing their products. x x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) It represents a globally accepted concept for products and waste streams posing significant risks to human health and the environment. This concept says that economic operators placing such products onto the market carry responsibility for the sound end-oflife management of an equivalent amount of waste of such products. x x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Foot Valve A check valve placed in the water source below a surface pump. It prevents water from flowing back down the pipe and causing the pump to lose prime. x x
Ground fault A fault, or insulation failure, in the wire used to create a path to ground. x x x
Hibernation Customers often hold on to their offgrid solar products after their end-of-life. This is because when a consumer electronic reaches the end of its useful life it is common for consumers to store it for a period of time. It is a significant barrier to the effective flow of value within the circular economic model. x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Inverter The purpose of an inverter is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity into the form of current suitable for Alternating Current (AC) electrical appliances and/or exportable to the AC grid. x x x x
Lifecycle A product’s lifecycle refers to the life of a product from its design, raw material extraction and manufacture through its useful life and into its end of life disposal, recycle or reuse. x x
Manufacturer's Warranty Otherwise referred to as “limited warranties,” manufacturer warranties are automatically bundled with the purchase of a manufacturer’s product.What makes them “limited?” Manufacturer warranties are only viable for a very specific window of time following the product purchase date. Generally, this time frame ranges from 90 days to an entire year with coverage offered as a product replacement plan rather than a complete repair option. x x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump A centrifugal pump with multiple impellers arranged in series to produce higher pressure (head). x x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Performance Guarantee A solar panel performance guarantee establishes a base electricity production over the lifetime of the panels. The amount of electricity a solar panel produces slightly declines every year they are in use. This decline in production is fairly predictable as the power output should not lose more than 10-20% production over the first 25 years. If the panels drop below this at any time, a performance guarantee fixes or replaces any faulty panels so that the system is performing at optimal capacity. x x
Positive Displacement Pump Any mechanism that seals water in a chamber, then forces it out by reducing the volume of the chamber (e.g., a piston (including a jack), diaphragm, or rotary vane). It is used for low volume and high lift. (Contrast with Centrifugal Pump.) x x
Preventive maintenance Maintenance carried out according to predetermined technical criteria, indicated in the instructions for use or manufacturers technical documentation, with the intention of reducing the likelihood of equipment failure or degradation of a service rendered. x
Priming The process of hand filling the suction and intake pipes of a surface pump with water. Priming is generally necessary when a pump is located above the water source. x x
Product/Equipment Warranty Solar panel equipment warranties cover the physical panels themselves. This includes any manufacturing defects, durability issues, or equipment failure. The warranty typically covers the cost of replacing the faulty or damaged panel with a new working one. Most equipment warranties for solar panels last between 10 - 15 years but some premium panels have warranties for up to 25 years. x x
Pump Controller An electronic device that controls or processes power between the solar array and the pump. It may perform any of the following functions: stopping and starting the pump, protecting the pump from overload, and converting or matching power. x x
Re-purpose To change a product so that it can be used for a different purpose. x
Re-use The use of components and modules obtained from end of life products as spare parts or in other products. x
Recycle Recycling is the process of recovering scrap materials from products at their end of life stage and converting them to reusable materials. x
Refurbish Processing an end of life product such that its full functionality is restored. x
Repair Repair is aimed at restoring the product’s functionality after its failure. It often includes partial disassembly, component replacement and reassembly. x x
Reversible connection Reversible disassembly operations are non-destructive actions that can be accomplished with relative ease, such as screwing and unscrewing or snapping and unsnapping. Reversible connections are important for repairing a product and not damaging fasteners or components. x x
Rework Transforming products, which are not produced according to the standards, into products that meet the standards of properly produced items. x x
Safety Data Sheet / SDS (or Material Safety Data Sheet / MSDS) The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. x x
Sealed Piston Pump A type of pump recently developed for solar submersibles. The pistons have a very short stroke, allowing the use of flexible gaskets to seal water out of the oilfilled mechanisms. x x
Self-Priming Pump A pump that is able to draw some air suction in order to prime itself, at least in theory. (See Priming.) x x
Separation (before recycling) Once a product has reached its end of life, the materials within it need to be separated in order for them to be recycled. The use of glue and other adhesives which prohibit this separation process makes recycling more difficult. x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Short circuit A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal path. The term comes from the fact that such currents bypass the normal load (i.e., it finds a “short” path around the load). x x x
Solar cell Cells in a PV module made from semiconductor materials that convert sunlight to D.C. electricity. When light energy strikes the cell, electrons are knocked loose from the material’s atoms. Electrical conductors attached to the positive and negative sides of the material allow the electrons to be captured in the form of a D.C. current. x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Submersible Pump A motor/pump combination designed to be placed entirely below the water surface. x x
Surface Pump A pump that is not submersible in the water body. It must be placed no more than about 20 feet above the surface of the water in the well. x x
Upcycle To reuse discarded objects or materials in ways that create a new product with higher value than the objects or materials alone. x x
Vane Pump A positive displacement mechanism used in low volume, high lift surface pumps and booster pumps, also known as a “rotary vane.” It is durable and efficient, but should be used only for pumping clean water due to its mechanical precision. x x
Warranty / Base Warranty A warranty is a legal contract which requires the manufacturer to either rectify or compensate for all failures occurring within the warranty period. x x
Term Description Manufacturing Operation Maintenance End-of-Life
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x
Financial services for solar products Decentralized Finance refers to an ecosystem of financial applications that are built on top of a blockchain. Its common goal is to develop and operate in a decentralized way – without intermediaries such as banks, payment service providers or investment funds – all types of financial services on top of a transparent and trustless blockchain network x x
Joint-and-several liability In a joint-and-several liability scheme, producers of a certain product or product group agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling for a specific product or product group x x x
Joint-and-several liability Producers agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling. x x x
Last-man-standing-insurance An insurance product that covers a producer compliance scheme based on a PAYG approach if all producers disappear from the market. In that situation, the insurance covers the costs of collection and recycling. x x x
Last-man-standing-insurance This product is part of collective recycling programs. It covers the costs of collection and recycling if all producers disappear from the market by the time the product’s end of life is reached. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme (for example, the implementation of the WEE directive in Germany). x x x
Last-man-standing-insurance The insurance covers for an unforeseen event of a developer going out of business. In such scenario, the insurance company finances the waste collection and recovery. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme. x x x
Micro-credit Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to impoverished borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment, or a verifiable credit history. x x
Micro-credit A part of the field of microfinance, microcredit is the provision of credit services to low-income entrepreneurs. Microcredit can also refer to the actual microloan. x x
Micro-finance institution (MFI) MFIs are defined as different types of organizations that offer financial products and services to the poor, and which range from “non-governmental organizations (NGOs); cooperatives; community-based development institutions (e.g., self-help groups or credit unions); commercial and state banks, insurance and credit card com-panies; telecommunications and wire services; post offices; and other points of sales”. x x
Micro-loans A loan imparted by a microfinance institution to a microentrepreneur, to be used in the development of the borrower's small business. Microloans are used for working capital in the purchase of raw materials and goods for the microenterprise, as capital for construction, or in the purchase of fixed assets that aid in production, among other things. x x
Microfinance Banking and/or financial services targeted to low-and-moderate income businesses or households, including the provision of credit. x x
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) (for End of Life Financing) Cost of collection and recycling is borne by the producer. This is often implemented in combination with the Last-man-standing-insurance scheme (for example, the implementation of the WEE directive in Germany). x
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) (for End of Life Financing) The developer pays for the recycling process at the time of waste creation. This is often implemented in combination with the Last-man-standing-insurance scheme. x
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) (for End of Life Financing) In a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) approach, the cost of collection and recycling is covered by market participants when waste occurs. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) A pay-as-you-put (PAYP) approach involves setting aside an upfront payment of estimated collection and recycling costs when a product is placed on the market. x x x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The pay-as-you-put model requires pre-allocating a fixed amount for the waste management process. For example, First Solar, a leading solar module manufacturer in the United States, uses this approach for recycling the waste from its modules. With the sale of each module, it sets aside a lump sum to meet the estimated future collection and recycling cost of its modules. x x x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The producers set aside an estimated cost for collection and recycling waste at the time of sale. x x x
PAYG (for end-user payments) In a PAYG model, a renewable energy developer or company rents a solar home system (consisting of a PV panel, a charge controller and a battery system) to a consumer, providing the basic energy needed to power general lighting, small appliances and phone charging. Through the PAYG model, companies can automate the receipt of payments, and customers in rural areas and remote locations can get immediate access to basic energy needs. This may be digitally enabled or using physical purchase methods such as voucher schemes. x x
Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) In many countries with mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, companies established Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to jointly organize collection, recycling and a fair distribution of costs. These are established between companies and other market players to collaborate and achieve volumes, and thereby reducing costs. x x x
Voucher schemes Voucher schemes are demand side or end-user subsidies are targeted to customers with the purpose of directly reducing the retail cost of a product of service and increasing affordability for the poorest and most vulnerable people. Vouchers provide access to pre-defined commodities or services, and may be denominated either in cash, commodity, or service value. x x
  • Manufacturing
  • Operation
  • Maintenance
  • End-of-Life
Term Description Solar products and systems Off-grid storage Fuel generators Components Financial services for solar products
Amorphous silicon Non-crystalline form of silicon formed using silicon vapour which is quickly cooled. x
Battery A battery is a device which is used to store electrical charge. x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Component A component is a part that cannot be further disassembled except by destructive means. Examples of components include batteries, cables, lighting elements, and plastic housing. x x x
Conduit A special reinforced tube through which a cable moves. x
Connection A connection forms a relationship between two components. x x x
Consumable Product content that is foreseen to be frequently replaced or refilled during the normal life time of the product, such as filters, lubricants, refrigerants, heat exchange liquids, etc. x x x
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) It is a variation of cradle-to-grave, exchanging the waste stage with a recycling process that makes it reusable for another product, essentially “closing the loop”. x
Cradle to Gate Cradle-to-gate is an assessment of a partial product life cycle from resource extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (ie, before it is transported to the consumer). x
Cradle to Grave Cradle-to-grave is the full life cycle assessment from resource extraction (‘cradle’) to the use phase and disposal phase (‘grave’). x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Design for disassembly It involves designing products to maximise the ease with which they can be taken apart for repair or separated for recycling. This involves reducing the complexity and number of tools required, reducing the time taken and minimising any permanent damage to the product. x
Design for the environment (DfE) DfE optimizes a product’s performance over the complete lifecycle. It employs design approaches to reduce the overall human health and environmental impacts of a product, process or service, where impacts are considered across its lifecycle. DfE principles, first introduced by William McDonough Architects and Dr. Michael Braungart in 1992, have been expanded upon and adopted by design professionals, scholars and government agencies. x
Disassemblibility Characteristic of a product which can be disassembled in several parts without destruction, and subsequently be reassembled (with the same or equivalent parts) and made operational. x x x
Downcycle Downcycle is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality. x x x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product’s life cycle. An EPR policy is characterised by (1) shifting responsibility (physically and/or economically; fully or partially) upstream towards the producers and away from governments and (2) the provision of incentives to producers to take into account environmental considerations when designing their products. x x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) It represents a globally accepted concept for products and waste streams posing significant risks to human health and the environment. This concept says that economic operators placing such products onto the market carry responsibility for the sound end-oflife management of an equivalent amount of waste of such products. x x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Flooded lead acid batteries These are the most common lead-acid batteries used in solar applications. They contain vents which allow the resulting hydrogen gas from electrolysis escape. As a result, the electrolyte level will fall over a period of time, and must be monitored and topped up with water, preferably demineralised water. x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Inverter The purpose of an inverter is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity into the form of current suitable for Alternating Current (AC) electrical appliances and/or exportable to the AC grid. x x
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) The act of measuring the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from the resources used to create the product or service, across its use by the user, to it's final end of life destination. x
Lithium Ion Batteries A type of rechargebale battery that's generally smaller and lighter for the same capacity, are faster at charging, and are less susceptible to degradation due to charging and discharging compared to other batteries . However, lithium ion batteries have a very high up-front cost and they can be sensitive to extreme temperature and voltages. x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Monocrystalline silicon Silicon manufactured in such a way that if forms a continuous single crystal without grain boundaries. x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Pico products Pico products include small, portable solar lanterns, flashlights, or lanterns designed to meet basic lighting needs as a direct replacement for kerosene lamps in a small household. x
Poly- or multicrystalline silicon Silicon manufactured in such a way that it consists of a number of small crystals, forming grains. x x x
Remanufacture Production process that creates products using parts taken from previously used products. x
Rework Transforming products, which are not produced according to the standards, into products that meet the standards of properly produced items. x x x x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Solar cell Cells in a PV module made from semiconductor materials that convert sunlight to D.C. electricity. When light energy strikes the cell, electrons are knocked loose from the material’s atoms. Electrical conductors attached to the positive and negative sides of the material allow the electrons to be captured in the form of a D.C. current. x x
Spare Part A part which can replace a faulty, failed or worn-out replaceable part. x x x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Thin Film Technology used to produce solar cells based on very thin layers of PV materials deposited over an inexpensive material (glass, stainless steel, plastic). x
Upcycle To reuse discarded objects or materials in ways that create a new product with higher value than the objects or materials alone. x x
Upgradability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately upgraded or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Upgrade A process to enhance the functionality or capacity of a product, including both hardware and software. x x x
Valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries VRLA batteries are also known as captive electrolyte batteries where the electrolyte material is made immobile (to resemble a gel-like compound). Therefore, it is naturally sealed under normal operating conditions and it is no longer restricted in physical orientation (can be placed in any direction). It reduces the evaporation, spilling and corrosion problems that are common to wet-cell batteries. x
Term Description Solar products and systems Off-grid storage Fuel generators Components Financial services for solar products
Accesory A device supplementing a main device or apparatus, by adding to its functionality as an add-on or exchangeable device. x x x
After sales service After-sales services include all post-sale activities that help customers use and maintain the products. These services include installation of the product, providing technical support to customers, offering warranty coverage, ensuring spare parts availability, and repair service x x x
Ammeter The meter / device used for measuring current flowing through a conductor. x x x x
Analogue controls Controls using variable voltage or current to pass information. x x x x
Assembly A set of components assembled into a single part x x x x
Asynchronous Term applied to motors or generators which operate at a speed not fixed by poleage and the supply frequency. x
Attenuators Devices for reduction of the emission of sound (also known as silencers) x
Auto transfer starter Transformer switching arrangement to reduce voltage applied to an electric motor during starting. x
Automatic transfer swtich A device used to automatically switch a power supply from normal to emergency when a power failure occurs. x
Availability Availability is the ratio of time a system or component is functional to the total time it is required or expected to function. It can be expressed as a percentage or proportion. x x x
Backup protection Type of protection intended to operate only after the main protective device(s) has failed to operate. x x
Base load The portion of load of a generator or building which is constant. x x
Battery A battery is a device which is used to store electrical charge. x
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) Warranty Warranties for BESS provide mechanisms for buyers and investors to mitigate the technical and operational risks of battery projects, by transferring the risk of a manufacturing defect or performance issues to the manufacturer or the battery vendor. Warranties are used in the same way for traditional generation technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind. They typically warrant that the BESS components remain free from defects and performance over the course of the warranty period (up to 15 years for long-term warranties), providing that certain operating conditions, usage patterns, and other warranty conditions are met. x
Battery state of charge (SOC) SOC is the level of charge of an electric battery relative to its capacity. Must be checked on weekly basis as part of preventative maintenance of batteries. x
Battery-coupled water pumping systems PV pumping system that consists of photovoltaic (PV) panels, charge control regulator, batteries, pump controller, pressure switch and tank and DC water pump x x
Booster Pump A surface pump used to increase pressure in a water line or to pull water from a storage tank and pressurize a water system. x x
Cable Splice A joint in an electrical cable. x x x x
Centrifugal Pump A pumping mechanism that spins water by means of an impeller. Water is forced out of the impeller by centrifugal force, thus giving energy (head) to the water. x x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Check Valve A valve that allows water to flow one way but not the other. x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x x
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Use of a generating set or sets for the purpose of utilising the heat produced (via the exhaust and the radiator) as well as producing electricity. x
Commissioning The process of “handing-over” the system to the client, i.e., ensuring that all system components have been properly installed, are in good condition and that the system is operating as expected. x x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Component A component is a part that cannot be further disassembled except by destructive means. Examples of components include batteries, cables, lighting elements, and plastic housing. x x x
Conduit A special reinforced tube through which a cable moves. x
Connection A connection forms a relationship between two components. x x x
Consumable Product content that is foreseen to be frequently replaced or refilled during the normal life time of the product, such as filters, lubricants, refrigerants, heat exchange liquids, etc. x x x
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) It is a variation of cradle-to-grave, exchanging the waste stage with a recycling process that makes it reusable for another product, essentially “closing the loop”. x
Cradle to Gate Cradle-to-gate is an assessment of a partial product life cycle from resource extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (ie, before it is transported to the consumer). x
Cradle to Grave Cradle-to-grave is the full life cycle assessment from resource extraction (‘cradle’) to the use phase and disposal phase (‘grave’). x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Data Logging Monitoring and recording key system parameters x x x x
Data Sheet Data sheets are used to capture process, mechanical, electrical, and control requirements for equipment and instruments. x x x x
Decentralised Finance Decentralized Finance refers to an ecosystem of financial applications that are built on top of a blockchain. Its common goal is to develop and operate in a decentralized way – without intermediaries such as banks, payment service providers or investment funds – all types of financial services on top of a transparent and trustless blockchain network x
Diaphragm Pump A type of pump in which water is drawn in and forced out of one or more chambers by a flexible diaphragm. Check valves let water into and out of each chamber. x x
Diesel bug The generic term for the microbial growth found within fuel systems and fuel storage tanks. Formed of a variety of different strains of fungi and bacteria. x
Direct-coupled pumping systems PV pumping system sized to store extra water on sunny days so it is available on cloudy days and at night. x
Drawdown The lowering of the level of water in a well due to pumping x
Drop Pipe The pipe that carries water from a pump in a well up to the surface. x
Duty assist An arrangement where two (or more) generating sets are configured to provide mutual support in case of one piece failing to operate or needing assistance to achieve a required target: If one generating set fails to operate or cannot achieve a required target, the second (and subsequent) generating set will operate. x
Electronic governor Electronic device to control and maintain the speed of an engine. x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Float Switch Turns a pump on and off when filling the stock tank. It is wired to the pump controller. x
Flooded lead acid batteries These are the most common lead-acid batteries used in solar applications. They contain vents which allow the resulting hydrogen gas from electrolysis escape. As a result, the electrolyte level will fall over a period of time, and must be monitored and topped up with water, preferably demineralised water. x
Flow Rate The amount of fluid that flows in a given time, normally expressed in units of

gallons per minute (gpm) in solar-powered systems.

x
Foot Valve A check valve placed in the water source below a surface pump. It prevents water from flowing back down the pipe and causing the pump to lose prime. x x
Full Warranty Provides full coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts and any required labour (for 12 months). x x x
Ground fault A fault, or insulation failure, in the wire used to create a path to ground. x x x x
Grounding The process of giving electrical lightning surges a direct path to the ground that bypasses valuable equipment. x x x
Hydrometer Device used to measure the battery's state of charge (SOC) by determining the specific gravity of the electrolyte. x
Installation Warranty This is the part of the warranty that is the responsibility of the system installer and covers their workmanship as opposed to the panels or inverters within the system. It is also important to understand whether the installer or solar retailer will assist in enacting any manufacturer warranties should a fault occur with a major system component. x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Inverter The purpose of an inverter is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity into the form of current suitable for Alternating Current (AC) electrical appliances and/or exportable to the AC grid. x x
Joint-and-several liability In a joint-and-several liability scheme, producers of a certain product or product group agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling for a

specific product or product group

x
Joint-and-several liability Producers agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling. x
Last-man-standing-insurance An insurance product that covers a producer compliance scheme based on a PAYG approach if all producers disappear from the market. In that situation, the insurance covers the costs of collection and recycling. x
Last-man-standing-insurance This product is part of collective recycling programs. It covers the costs of collection and recycling if all producers disappear from the market by the time the product’s end of life is reached. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme (for example, the implementation of the WEE directive in Germany). x
Last-man-standing-insurance The insurance covers for an unforeseen event of a developer going out of business. In such scenario, the insurance company finances the waste collection and recovery. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme. x
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) The act of measuring the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from the resources used to create the product or service, across its use by the user, to it's final end of life destination. x
Lifecycle A product’s lifecycle refers to the life of a product from its design, raw material extraction and manufacture through its useful life and into its end of life disposal, recycle or reuse. x x x x
Limited Warranty (12-month) Coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts (labor costs not included) x x x
Linear Current Booster (LCB) Linear current booster optimizes the current in the pump motor while sacrificing the voltage. LCB is especially useful in low sunlight condition as they ensure the solar pump continues to pump water although this might be done at less power. LCB also stabilize the current from the PV panels and ensure your DC water pump is working in low sunlight conditions. x
Lithium Ion Batteries A type of rechargebale battery that's generally smaller and lighter for the same capacity, are faster at charging, and are less susceptible to degradation due to charging and discharging compared to other batteries . However, lithium ion batteries have a very high up-front cost and they can be sensitive to extreme temperature and voltages. x
Maintenance A set of procedures to ensure the serviceability of a product. It also refers to activities covered under "preventive maintenance" (see definition). x x x
Maintenance Service Contracts (MSC) MSC defines the period over which the maintenance (Preventive Maintenance and/or Corrective Maintenance) actions are to be carried out and the payment to be made by the owner of the system to the service provider, over a defined period. x x x
Manufacturer's Warranty Otherwise referred to as “limited warranties,” manufacturer warranties are automatically bundled with the purchase of a manufacturer’s product.What makes them “limited?” Manufacturer warranties are only viable for a very specific window of time following the product purchase date. Generally, this time frame ranges from 90 days to an entire year with coverage offered as a product replacement plan rather than a complete repair option. x x
Micro-credit Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to impoverished borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment, or a verifiable credit history. x
Micro-credit A part of the field of microfinance, microcredit is the provision of credit services to low-income entrepreneurs. Microcredit can also refer to the actual microloan. x
Micro-finance institution (MFI) MFIs are defined as different types of organizations that offer financial products and services to the poor, and which range from “non-governmental organizations (NGOs); cooperatives; community-based development institutions (e.g., self-help groups or credit unions); commercial and state banks, insurance and credit card com-panies; telecommunications and wire services; post offices; and other points of sales”. x
Micro-loans A loan imparted by a microfinance institution to a microentrepreneur, to be used in the development of the borrower's small business. Microloans are used for working capital in the purchase of raw materials and goods for the microenterprise, as capital for construction, or in the purchase of fixed assets that aid in production, among other things. x
Microfinance Banking and/or financial services targeted to low-and-moderate income businesses or households, including the provision of credit. x
Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) A mobile machine that is intended to move persons to working positions where they are carrying out work from the work platform with the intention that persons are getting on and off the work platform only at access positions at ground level or on the chassis and which consists as a minimum of a work platform with controls, an extending structure and a chassis. x x x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump A centrifugal pump with multiple impellers arranged in series to produce higher pressure (head). x x
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Occupational Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. x x x
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Occupational Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. x x x
Ohmmeter The device which measures the resistance and the continuity of an electrical circuit and its components. It measures this resistance in Ohms (Ω). x x x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) A pay-as-you-put (PAYP) approach involves setting aside an upfront payment of estimated collection and recycling costs when a product is placed on the market. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The pay-as-you-put model requires pre-allocating a fixed amount for the waste management process. For example, First Solar, a leading solar module manufacturer in the United States, uses this approach for recycling the waste from its modules. With the sale of each module, it sets aside a lump sum to meet the estimated future collection and recycling cost of its modules. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The producers set aside an estimated cost for collection and recycling waste at the time of sale. x
PAYG (for end-user payments) In a PAYG model, a renewable energy developer or company rents a solar home system (consisting of a PV panel, a charge controller and a battery system) to a consumer, providing the basic energy needed to power general lighting, small appliances and phone charging. Through the PAYG model, companies can automate the receipt of payments, and customers in rural areas and remote locations can get immediate access to basic energy needs. This may be digitally enabled or using physical purchase methods such as voucher schemes. x
Performance Guarantee A solar panel performance guarantee establishes a base electricity production over the lifetime of the panels. The amount of electricity a solar panel produces slightly declines every year they are in use. This decline in production is fairly predictable as the power output should not lose more than 10-20% production over the first 25 years. If the panels drop below this at any time, a performance guarantee fixes or replaces any faulty panels so that the system is performing at optimal capacity. x x
Performance Warranty Type of warranty provided by the supplier to ensure that the system as a whole will meet or exceed the design performance for a number of years. x x x
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. x x x
Pico products Pico products include small, portable solar lanterns, flashlights, or lanterns designed to meet basic lighting needs as a direct replacement for kerosene lamps in a small household. x
Positive Displacement Pump Any mechanism that seals water in a chamber, then forces it out by reducing the volume of the chamber (e.g., a piston (including a jack), diaphragm, or rotary vane). It is used for low volume and high lift. (Contrast with Centrifugal Pump.) x x
Preparation for re-use A sequence of operations by which products, or parts thereof, are prepared so that they can be used by a person other than its previous owner or user, for the same purpose for which they were conceived.

Preparation of Re-use of products includes cleaning, testing, repairing, etc. and can apply to both hardware and software settings and updates. Preparation of re-use of parts or components includes extracting them from the product where they are installed so that they can be used to build or repair other products.

x x x
Priming The process of hand filling the suction and intake pipes of a surface pump with water. Priming is generally necessary when a pump is located above the water source. x x
Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) In many countries with mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, companies established Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to jointly organize collection, recycling and a fair distribution of costs. These are established between companies and other market players to collaborate and achieve volumes, and thereby reducing costs. x
Product/Equipment Warranty Solar panel equipment warranties cover the physical panels themselves. This includes any manufacturing defects, durability issues, or equipment failure. The warranty typically covers the cost of replacing the faulty or damaged panel with a new working one. Most equipment warranties for solar panels last between 10 - 15 years but some premium panels have warranties for up to 25 years. x x
Pump Controller An electronic device that controls or processes power between the solar array and the pump. It may perform any of the following functions: stopping and starting the pump, protecting the pump from overload, and converting or matching power. x x
Reliability The ability of a computer-related hardware or software component to consistently perform according to its specifications. It includes solar products and systems, including the digital infrastructure to operate and maintain the products / systems. x x x
Repair The process of returning the product to serviceability, sometimes referred to as "corrective maintenance". x x x
Reparability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately repaired or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Replaceable part Part of a product, that can be replaced in order to repair or upgrade a product, including replacement of software, accessories and consumables. x x x
Reversible connection Reversible disassembly operations are non-destructive actions that can be accomplished with relative ease, such as screwing and unscrewing or snapping and unsnapping. Reversible connections are important for repairing a product and not damaging fasteners or components. x x x x
Safety Data Sheet / SDS

(or Material Safety Data Sheet / MSDS)

The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. x x x x
Scaffolding Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. These are a solution for working on heights or inaccesible parts of a building during solar PV installations. x x x
Sealed Piston Pump A type of pump recently developed for solar submersibles. The pistons have a very short stroke, allowing the use of flexible gaskets to seal water out of the oilfilled mechanisms. x x
Self-Priming Pump A pump that is able to draw some air suction in order to prime itself, at least in theory. (See Priming.) x x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Serviceability Serviceability is an expression of the ease with which a component, device or system can be maintained and repaired.

Also: "ability of a product to perform the specified functions" [SOURCE: ISO 4306-1:1990, definition 1.2]

x x x
Short circuit A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal path. The term comes from the fact that such currents bypass the normal load (i.e., it finds a “short” path around the load). x x x x
Signage Signs that ensure the safety of installed PV systems. x x x
Solar array mounting system The equipment used to safely secure the PV modules to the mounting surface or ground. x
Solar Panel Warranty A guarantee from the solar panel manufacturer or installer to ensure production levels and equipment reliability. The performance and equipment guarantees vary between products and solar companies, typically lasting between 10-25 years. A solar panel warranty has two distinct parts: product/equipment warranties and a performance guarantee. x
Solar photovoltaic water pumping (SWP) Pumping system that uses energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to power an electric water pump. x
Solar Tracking System The tracking system ensures your solar panels are producing at nearly optimum condition during the sun hours. The trackers monitor the position of the sun and move your solar panels to ensure that they are always facing the sun. So your tracker moves the solar panels early in the morning, during the day and late in the evening. x
Spare Part A part which can replace a faulty, failed or worn-out replaceable part. x x x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Submersible Pump A motor/pump combination designed to be placed entirely below the water surface. x x
Surface Pump A pump that is not submersible in the water body. It must be placed no more than about 20 feet above the surface of the water in the well. x x
Upgradability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately upgraded or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Upgrade A process to enhance the functionality or capacity of a product, including both hardware and software. x x x
Valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries VRLA batteries are also known as captive electrolyte batteries where the electrolyte material is made immobile (to resemble a gel-like compound). Therefore, it is naturally sealed under normal operating conditions and it is no longer restricted in physical orientation (can be placed in any direction). It reduces the evaporation, spilling and corrosion problems that are common to wet-cell batteries. x
Vane Pump A positive displacement mechanism used in low volume, high lift surface pumps and booster pumps, also known as a “rotary vane.” It is durable and efficient, but should be used only for pumping clean water due to its mechanical precision. x x
Voltmeter Instrument used to measure difference in potential between two points. x x x
Voucher schemes Voucher schemes are demand side or end-user subsidies are targeted to customers with the purpose of directly reducing the retail cost of a product of service and increasing affordability for the poorest and most vulnerable people. Vouchers provide access to pre-defined commodities or services, and may be denominated either in cash, commodity, or service value. x
Warranty / Base Warranty A warranty is a legal contract which requires the manufacturer to either rectify or compensate for all failures occurring within the warranty period. x x x x
Term Description Solar products and systems Off-grid storage Fuel generators Components Financial services for solar products
Accesory A device supplementing a main device or apparatus, by adding to its functionality as an add-on or exchangeable device. x x x
Administration of maintenance Ensures effective implementation, control, and documentation of maintenance services and results. x x x x
After sales service After-sales services include all post-sale activities that help customers use and maintain the products. These services include installation of the product, providing technical support to customers, offering warranty coverage, ensuring spare parts availability, and repair service x x x
Ammeter The meter / device used for measuring current flowing through a conductor. x x x x
Analogue controls Controls using variable voltage or current to pass information. x x x x
Anti-oxidant Chemical compound used to prevent oxidation (corrosion of metals). Applied to exposed wires and terminals to prevent corrosion. x
Assembly A set of components assembled into a single part x x x x
Asynchronous Term applied to motors or generators which operate at a speed not fixed by poleage and the supply frequency. x
Attenuators Devices for reduction of the emission of sound (also known as silencers) x
Auto transfer starter Transformer switching arrangement to reduce voltage applied to an electric motor during starting. x
Automatic transfer swtich A device used to automatically switch a power supply from normal to emergency when a power failure occurs. x
Availability Availability is the ratio of time a system or component is functional to the total time it is required or expected to function. It can be expressed as a percentage or proportion. x x x
Backup protection Type of protection intended to operate only after the main protective device(s) has failed to operate. x x
Base load The portion of load of a generator or building which is constant. x x
Battery A battery is a device which is used to store electrical charge. x
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) Warranty Warranties for BESS provide mechanisms for buyers and investors to mitigate the technical and operational risks of battery projects, by transferring the risk of a manufacturing defect or performance issues to the manufacturer or the battery vendor. Warranties are used in the same way for traditional generation technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind. They typically warrant that the BESS components remain free from defects and performance over the course of the warranty period (up to 15 years for long-term warranties), providing that certain operating conditions, usage patterns, and other warranty conditions are met. x
Battery state of charge (SOC) SOC is the level of charge of an electric battery relative to its capacity. Must be checked on weekly basis as part of preventative maintenance of batteries. x
Battery-coupled water pumping systems PV pumping system that consists of photovoltaic (PV) panels, charge control regulator, batteries, pump controller, pressure switch and tank and DC water pump x x
Booster Pump A surface pump used to increase pressure in a water line or to pull water from a storage tank and pressurize a water system. x x
Cable Splice A joint in an electrical cable. x x x x
Centrifugal Pump A pumping mechanism that spins water by means of an impeller. Water is forced out of the impeller by centrifugal force, thus giving energy (head) to the water. x x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Check Valve A valve that allows water to flow one way but not the other. x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x x
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Use of a generating set or sets for the purpose of utilising the heat produced (via the exhaust and the radiator) as well as producing electricity. x
Commissioning The process of “handing-over” the system to the client, i.e., ensuring that all system components have been properly installed, are in good condition and that the system is operating as expected. x x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Component A component is a part that cannot be further disassembled except by destructive means. Examples of components include batteries, cables, lighting elements, and plastic housing. x x x
Condition-based maintenance The practice of using real-time information from data loggers to schedule preventive measures such as cleaning or to head off corrective maintenance problems by anticipating failures or catching them early. x x x
Conduit A special reinforced tube through which a cable moves. x
Connection A connection forms a relationship between two components. x x x
Consumable Product content that is foreseen to be frequently replaced or refilled during the normal life time of the product, such as filters, lubricants, refrigerants, heat exchange liquids, etc. x x x
Corrective maintenance Required to repair damage or replace failed components. x x x x
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) It is a variation of cradle-to-grave, exchanging the waste stage with a recycling process that makes it reusable for another product, essentially “closing the loop”. x
Cradle to Gate Cradle-to-gate is an assessment of a partial product life cycle from resource extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (ie, before it is transported to the consumer). x
Cradle to Grave Cradle-to-grave is the full life cycle assessment from resource extraction (‘cradle’) to the use phase and disposal phase (‘grave’). x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Data Logging Monitoring and recording key system parameters x x x x
Data Sheet Data sheets are used to capture process, mechanical, electrical, and control requirements for equipment and instruments. x x x x
Decentralised Finance Decentralized Finance refers to an ecosystem of financial applications that are built on top of a blockchain. Its common goal is to develop and operate in a decentralized way – without intermediaries such as banks, payment service providers or investment funds – all types of financial services on top of a transparent and trustless blockchain network x
Design for disassembly It involves designing products to maximise the ease with which they can be taken apart for repair or separated for recycling. This involves reducing the complexity and number of tools required, reducing the time taken and minimising any permanent damage to the product. x
Design for the environment (DfE) DfE optimizes a product’s performance over the complete lifecycle. It employs design approaches to reduce the overall human health and environmental impacts of a product, process or service, where impacts are considered across its lifecycle. DfE principles, first introduced by William McDonough Architects and Dr. Michael Braungart in 1992, have been expanded upon and adopted by design professionals, scholars and government agencies. x
Diaphragm Pump A type of pump in which water is drawn in and forced out of one or more chambers by a flexible diaphragm. Check valves let water into and out of each chamber. x x
Diesel bug The generic term for the microbial growth found within fuel systems and fuel storage tanks. Formed of a variety of different strains of fungi and bacteria. x
Direct-coupled pumping systems PV pumping system sized to store extra water on sunny days so it is available on cloudy days and at night. x
Disassemblibility Characteristic of a product which can be disassembled in several parts without destruction, and subsequently be reassembled (with the same or equivalent parts) and made operational. x x x
Disassembly A process whereby an item is taken apart in such a way that it could subsequently be reassembled and made operational. x x x
Disassembly Disassembly is a process in which a product is separated into its components and/or subassemblies by non-destructive operations. x x x
Drawdown The lowering of the level of water in a well due to pumping x
Drop Pipe The pipe that carries water from a pump in a well up to the surface. x
Duty assist An arrangement where two (or more) generating sets are configured to provide mutual support in case of one piece failing to operate or needing assistance to achieve a required target: If one generating set fails to operate or cannot achieve a required target, the second (and subsequent) generating set will operate. x
Electronic governor Electronic device to control and maintain the speed of an engine. x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Float Switch Turns a pump on and off when filling the stock tank. It is wired to the pump controller. x
Flooded lead acid batteries These are the most common lead-acid batteries used in solar applications. They contain vents which allow the resulting hydrogen gas from electrolysis escape. As a result, the electrolyte level will fall over a period of time, and must be monitored and topped up with water, preferably demineralised water. x
Flow Rate The amount of fluid that flows in a given time, normally expressed in units of

gallons per minute (gpm) in solar-powered systems.

x
Foot Valve A check valve placed in the water source below a surface pump. It prevents water from flowing back down the pipe and causing the pump to lose prime. x x
Full Warranty Provides full coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts and any required labour (for 12 months). x x x
Ground fault A fault, or insulation failure, in the wire used to create a path to ground. x x x x
Grounding The process of giving electrical lightning surges a direct path to the ground that bypasses valuable equipment. x x x
Hydrometer Device used to measure the battery's state of charge (SOC) by determining the specific gravity of the electrolyte. x
Installation Warranty This is the part of the warranty that is the responsibility of the system installer and covers their workmanship as opposed to the panels or inverters within the system. It is also important to understand whether the installer or solar retailer will assist in enacting any manufacturer warranties should a fault occur with a major system component. x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Inverter The purpose of an inverter is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity into the form of current suitable for Alternating Current (AC) electrical appliances and/or exportable to the AC grid. x x
Joint-and-several liability In a joint-and-several liability scheme, producers of a certain product or product group agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling for a

specific product or product group

x
Joint-and-several liability Producers agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling. x
Last-man-standing-insurance An insurance product that covers a producer compliance scheme based on a PAYG approach if all producers disappear from the market. In that situation, the insurance covers the costs of collection and recycling. x
Last-man-standing-insurance This product is part of collective recycling programs. It covers the costs of collection and recycling if all producers disappear from the market by the time the product’s end of life is reached. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme (for example, the implementation of the WEE directive in Germany). x
Last-man-standing-insurance The insurance covers for an unforeseen event of a developer going out of business. In such scenario, the insurance company finances the waste collection and recovery. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme. x
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) The act of measuring the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from the resources used to create the product or service, across its use by the user, to it's final end of life destination. x
Lifecycle A product’s lifecycle refers to the life of a product from its design, raw material extraction and manufacture through its useful life and into its end of life disposal, recycle or reuse. x x x x
Limited Warranty (12-month) Coverage against defective material or workmanship on all parts (labor costs not included) x x x
Linear Current Booster (LCB) Linear current booster optimizes the current in the pump motor while sacrificing the voltage. LCB is especially useful in low sunlight condition as they ensure the solar pump continues to pump water although this might be done at less power. LCB also stabilize the current from the PV panels and ensure your DC water pump is working in low sunlight conditions. x
Lithium Ion Batteries A type of rechargebale battery that's generally smaller and lighter for the same capacity, are faster at charging, and are less susceptible to degradation due to charging and discharging compared to other batteries . However, lithium ion batteries have a very high up-front cost and they can be sensitive to extreme temperature and voltages. x
Maintenance A set of procedures to ensure the serviceability of a product. It also refers to activities covered under "preventive maintenance" (see definition). x x x
Maintenance Service Contracts (MSC) MSC defines the period over which the maintenance (Preventive Maintenance and/or Corrective Maintenance) actions are to be carried out and the payment to be made by the owner of the system to the service provider, over a defined period. x x x
Manufacturer's Warranty Otherwise referred to as “limited warranties,” manufacturer warranties are automatically bundled with the purchase of a manufacturer’s product.What makes them “limited?” Manufacturer warranties are only viable for a very specific window of time following the product purchase date. Generally, this time frame ranges from 90 days to an entire year with coverage offered as a product replacement plan rather than a complete repair option. x x
Micro-credit Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to impoverished borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment, or a verifiable credit history. x
Micro-credit A part of the field of microfinance, microcredit is the provision of credit services to low-income entrepreneurs. Microcredit can also refer to the actual microloan. x
Micro-finance institution (MFI) MFIs are defined as different types of organizations that offer financial products and services to the poor, and which range from “non-governmental organizations (NGOs); cooperatives; community-based development institutions (e.g., self-help groups or credit unions); commercial and state banks, insurance and credit card com-panies; telecommunications and wire services; post offices; and other points of sales”. x
Micro-loans A loan imparted by a microfinance institution to a microentrepreneur, to be used in the development of the borrower's small business. Microloans are used for working capital in the purchase of raw materials and goods for the microenterprise, as capital for construction, or in the purchase of fixed assets that aid in production, among other things. x
Microfinance Banking and/or financial services targeted to low-and-moderate income businesses or households, including the provision of credit. x
Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) A mobile machine that is intended to move persons to working positions where they are carrying out work from the work platform with the intention that persons are getting on and off the work platform only at access positions at ground level or on the chassis and which consists as a minimum of a work platform with controls, an extending structure and a chassis. x x x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump A centrifugal pump with multiple impellers arranged in series to produce higher pressure (head). x x
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Occupational Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. x x x
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Occupational Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human resources in the workplace. x x x
Ohmmeter The device which measures the resistance and the continuity of an electrical circuit and its components. It measures this resistance in Ohms (Ω). x x x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) A pay-as-you-put (PAYP) approach involves setting aside an upfront payment of estimated collection and recycling costs when a product is placed on the market. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The pay-as-you-put model requires pre-allocating a fixed amount for the waste management process. For example, First Solar, a leading solar module manufacturer in the United States, uses this approach for recycling the waste from its modules. With the sale of each module, it sets aside a lump sum to meet the estimated future collection and recycling cost of its modules. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The producers set aside an estimated cost for collection and recycling waste at the time of sale. x
PAYG (for end-user payments) In a PAYG model, a renewable energy developer or company rents a solar home system (consisting of a PV panel, a charge controller and a battery system) to a consumer, providing the basic energy needed to power general lighting, small appliances and phone charging. Through the PAYG model, companies can automate the receipt of payments, and customers in rural areas and remote locations can get immediate access to basic energy needs. This may be digitally enabled or using physical purchase methods such as voucher schemes. x
Performance Guarantee A solar panel performance guarantee establishes a base electricity production over the lifetime of the panels. The amount of electricity a solar panel produces slightly declines every year they are in use. This decline in production is fairly predictable as the power output should not lose more than 10-20% production over the first 25 years. If the panels drop below this at any time, a performance guarantee fixes or replaces any faulty panels so that the system is performing at optimal capacity. x x
Performance Warranty Type of warranty provided by the supplier to ensure that the system as a whole will meet or exceed the design performance for a number of years. x x x
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. x x x
Pico products Pico products include small, portable solar lanterns, flashlights, or lanterns designed to meet basic lighting needs as a direct replacement for kerosene lamps in a small household. x
Positive Displacement Pump Any mechanism that seals water in a chamber, then forces it out by reducing the volume of the chamber (e.g., a piston (including a jack), diaphragm, or rotary vane). It is used for low volume and high lift. (Contrast with Centrifugal Pump.) x x
Preparation for re-use A sequence of operations by which products, or parts thereof, are prepared so that they can be used by a person other than its previous owner or user, for the same purpose for which they were conceived.

Preparation of Re-use of products includes cleaning, testing, repairing, etc. and can apply to both hardware and software settings and updates. Preparation of re-use of parts or components includes extracting them from the product where they are installed so that they can be used to build or repair other products.

x x x
Preventive maintenance Maintenance carried out according to predetermined technical criteria, indicated in the instructions for use or manufacturers technical documentation, with the intention of reducing the likelihood of equipment failure or degradation of a service rendered. x x x x
Priming The process of hand filling the suction and intake pipes of a surface pump with water. Priming is generally necessary when a pump is located above the water source. x x
Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) In many countries with mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, companies established Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to jointly organize collection, recycling and a fair distribution of costs. These are established between companies and other market players to collaborate and achieve volumes, and thereby reducing costs. x
Product/Equipment Warranty Solar panel equipment warranties cover the physical panels themselves. This includes any manufacturing defects, durability issues, or equipment failure. The warranty typically covers the cost of replacing the faulty or damaged panel with a new working one. Most equipment warranties for solar panels last between 10 - 15 years but some premium panels have warranties for up to 25 years. x x
Pump Controller An electronic device that controls or processes power between the solar array and the pump. It may perform any of the following functions: stopping and starting the pump, protecting the pump from overload, and converting or matching power. x x
Re-use Any operation by which products or parts thereof are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived. x x x
Refurbishing Functional or aesthetical maintenance or repair of an item to restore to original, upgraded, or other predetermined form and functionality. x x x
Reliability The ability of a computer-related hardware or software component to consistently perform according to its specifications. It includes solar products and systems, including the digital infrastructure to operate and maintain the products / systems. x x x
Repair The process of returning the product to serviceability, sometimes referred to as "corrective maintenance". x x x
Repair Repair is aimed at restoring the product’s functionality after its failure. It often includes partial disassembly, component replacement and reassembly. x x x x
Reparability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately repaired or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Replaceable part Part of a product, that can be replaced in order to repair or upgrade a product, including replacement of software, accessories and consumables. x x x
Reusability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts or the product as a whole to be used again for the same purpose. x x x
Reversible connection Reversible disassembly operations are non-destructive actions that can be accomplished with relative ease, such as screwing and unscrewing or snapping and unsnapping. Reversible connections are important for repairing a product and not damaging fasteners or components. x x x x
Rework Transforming products, which are not produced according to the standards, into products that meet the standards of properly produced items. x x x x
Safety Data Sheet / SDS

(or Material Safety Data Sheet / MSDS)

The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. x x x x
Scaffolding Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. These are a solution for working on heights or inaccesible parts of a building during solar PV installations. x x x
Sealed Piston Pump A type of pump recently developed for solar submersibles. The pistons have a very short stroke, allowing the use of flexible gaskets to seal water out of the oilfilled mechanisms. x x
Self-Priming Pump A pump that is able to draw some air suction in order to prime itself, at least in theory. (See Priming.) x x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Serviceability Serviceability is an expression of the ease with which a component, device or system can be maintained and repaired.

Also: "ability of a product to perform the specified functions" [SOURCE: ISO 4306-1:1990, definition 1.2]

x x x
Short circuit A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal path. The term comes from the fact that such currents bypass the normal load (i.e., it finds a “short” path around the load). x x x x
Signage Signs that ensure the safety of installed PV systems. x x x
Solar array mounting system The equipment used to safely secure the PV modules to the mounting surface or ground. x
Solar Panel Warranty A guarantee from the solar panel manufacturer or installer to ensure production levels and equipment reliability. The performance and equipment guarantees vary between products and solar companies, typically lasting between 10-25 years. A solar panel warranty has two distinct parts: product/equipment warranties and a performance guarantee. x
Solar photovoltaic water pumping (SWP) Pumping system that uses energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to power an electric water pump. x
Solar Tracking System The tracking system ensures your solar panels are producing at nearly optimum condition during the sun hours. The trackers monitor the position of the sun and move your solar panels to ensure that they are always facing the sun. So your tracker moves the solar panels early in the morning, during the day and late in the evening. x
Spare Part A part which can replace a faulty, failed or worn-out replaceable part. x x x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Submersible Pump A motor/pump combination designed to be placed entirely below the water surface. x x
Surface Pump A pump that is not submersible in the water body. It must be placed no more than about 20 feet above the surface of the water in the well. x x
Valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries VRLA batteries are also known as captive electrolyte batteries where the electrolyte material is made immobile (to resemble a gel-like compound). Therefore, it is naturally sealed under normal operating conditions and it is no longer restricted in physical orientation (can be placed in any direction). It reduces the evaporation, spilling and corrosion problems that are common to wet-cell batteries. x
Vane Pump A positive displacement mechanism used in low volume, high lift surface pumps and booster pumps, also known as a “rotary vane.” It is durable and efficient, but should be used only for pumping clean water due to its mechanical precision. x x
Voltmeter Instrument used to measure difference in potential between two points. x x x
Voucher schemes Voucher schemes are demand side or end-user subsidies are targeted to customers with the purpose of directly reducing the retail cost of a product of service and increasing affordability for the poorest and most vulnerable people. Vouchers provide access to pre-defined commodities or services, and may be denominated either in cash, commodity, or service value. x
Warranty / Base Warranty A warranty is a legal contract which requires the manufacturer to either rectify or compensate for all failures occurring within the warranty period. x x x x
Term Description Solar products and systems Off-grid storage Fuel generators Components Financial services for solar products
Battery A battery is a device which is used to store electrical charge. x
Charge controller The device which regulates amount of current charging the battery and controls the energy produced by PV array. x x x x
Circular economy The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. x x x x x
Component A part of a product that cannot be taken apart without the destruction or impairment of its intended use. x x x x
Component A component is a part that cannot be further disassembled except by destructive means. Examples of components include batteries, cables, lighting elements, and plastic housing. x x x
Conduit A special reinforced tube through which a cable moves. x
Connection A connection forms a relationship between two components. x x x
Consumable Product content that is foreseen to be frequently replaced or refilled during the normal life time of the product, such as filters, lubricants, refrigerants, heat exchange liquids, etc. x x x
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) It is a variation of cradle-to-grave, exchanging the waste stage with a recycling process that makes it reusable for another product, essentially “closing the loop”. x
Cradle to Gate Cradle-to-gate is an assessment of a partial product life cycle from resource extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (ie, before it is transported to the consumer). x
Cradle to Grave Cradle-to-grave is the full life cycle assessment from resource extraction (‘cradle’) to the use phase and disposal phase (‘grave’). x
Current The current is the flow of electrons whose unit is ampere. x x x x
Design for disassembly It involves designing products to maximise the ease with which they can be taken apart for repair or separated for recycling. This involves reducing the complexity and number of tools required, reducing the time taken and minimising any permanent damage to the product. x
Design for the environment (DfE) DfE optimizes a product’s performance over the complete lifecycle. It employs design approaches to reduce the overall human health and environmental impacts of a product, process or service, where impacts are considered across its lifecycle. DfE principles, first introduced by William McDonough Architects and Dr. Michael Braungart in 1992, have been expanded upon and adopted by design professionals, scholars and government agencies. x
Direct Re-use Use, by a person other than its previous owner or user, of products for the same purpose for which they were conceived without any preparation for reuse, except minimal cleaning and adjustments that can be performed by the owner themselves (therefore, also called second-hand products). x x x
Disassemblibility Characteristic of a product which can be disassembled in several parts without destruction, and subsequently be reassembled (with the same or equivalent parts) and made operational. x x x
Disassembly A process whereby an item is taken apart in such a way that it could subsequently be reassembled and made operational. x x x
Disassembly Disassembly is a process in which a product is separated into its components and/or subassemblies by non-destructive operations. x x x
Disjointment A process whereby materials are separated by mechanical means such that the item cannot subsequently be reassembled to make it operational, for example, by cutting, grinding, scratching and abrasive processes. x x x
Disposal Disposal is the process of directing end of life material to discharge, such as incineration or landfill. x x x
Downcycle Downcycle is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality. x x x
E-waste E-waste is short for ‘electronic waste’ which means electronic goods and their parts that become waste products from formerly functioning electronics such as televisions, mobile phones and solar lights. x x x
End-of-Life End of life (EOL) is the final stage in a product’s lifecycle, once the product is at the end of its useful life. x x x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product’s life cycle. An EPR policy is characterised by (1) shifting responsibility (physically and/or economically; fully or partially) upstream towards the producers and away from governments and (2) the provision of incentives to producers to take into account environmental considerations when designing their products. x x
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) It represents a globally accepted concept for products and waste streams posing significant risks to human health and the environment. This concept says that economic operators placing such products onto the market carry responsibility for the sound end-oflife management of an equivalent amount of waste of such products. x x
Fasteners Fasteners are used to secure the connection between two components. Example of fasteners include screws, clamps and snap-fits. x x x x
Flooded lead acid batteries These are the most common lead-acid batteries used in solar applications. They contain vents which allow the resulting hydrogen gas from electrolysis escape. As a result, the electrolyte level will fall over a period of time, and must be monitored and topped up with water, preferably demineralised water. x
Ground fault A fault, or insulation failure, in the wire used to create a path to ground. x x x x
Hibernation Customers often hold on to their offgrid solar products after their end-of-life. This is because when a consumer electronic reaches the end of its useful life it is common for consumers to store it for a period of time. It is a significant barrier to the effective flow of value within the circular economic model. x x x
Incineration Waste incinerators use the process of combustion to convert the waste materials into carbon dioxide and water. x x x
Interchangeable Components Interchangeable components are made to specification that ensures that they will fit into any assembly of the same type. x x x x
Inverter The purpose of an inverter is to convert the Direct Current (DC) electricity into the form of current suitable for Alternating Current (AC) electrical appliances and/or exportable to the AC grid. x x
Joint-and-several liability In a joint-and-several liability scheme, producers of a certain product or product group agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling for a

specific product or product group

x
Joint-and-several liability Producers agree to jointly accept the liabilities for waste collection and recycling. x
Landfill A landfill is a waste disposal site for the deposit of waste onto or into land. x x x
Last-man-standing-insurance An insurance product that covers a producer compliance scheme based on a PAYG approach if all producers disappear from the market. In that situation, the insurance covers the costs of collection and recycling. x
Last-man-standing-insurance This product is part of collective recycling programs. It covers the costs of collection and recycling if all producers disappear from the market by the time the product’s end of life is reached. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme (for example, the implementation of the WEE directive in Germany). x
Last-man-standing-insurance The insurance covers for an unforeseen event of a developer going out of business. In such scenario, the insurance company finances the waste collection and recovery. This is often implemented in combination with the PAYG financing scheme. x
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) The act of measuring the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from the resources used to create the product or service, across its use by the user, to it's final end of life destination. x
Lithium Ion Batteries A type of rechargebale battery that's generally smaller and lighter for the same capacity, are faster at charging, and are less susceptible to degradation due to charging and discharging compared to other batteries . However, lithium ion batteries have a very high up-front cost and they can be sensitive to extreme temperature and voltages. x
Modular Modular products are designed with well-defined functions and interfaces so that they connect together easily. Modularly designed products can also be disassembled easily without damaging components. x x x x
Parallel connection When stringing panels in parallel, each additional panel increases the current (amperage) of the circuit, however, the voltage of the circuit remains the same, and is equivalent to the voltage of each panel. In other words, the voltage isn’t additive. x x x x
Part Any component or assembly of the system, excluding software, consumables and accessories. x x x x
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) (for End of Life Financing) Cost of collection and recycling is borne by the producer. This is often implemented in combination with the Last-man-standing-insurance scheme (for example, the implementation of the WEE directive in Germany). x
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) (for End of Life Financing) The developer pays for the recycling process at the time of waste creation. This is often implemented in combination with the Last-man-standing-insurance scheme. x
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) (for End of Life Financing) In a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) approach, the cost of collection and recycling is covered by market participants when waste occurs. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) A pay-as-you-put (PAYP) approach involves setting aside an upfront payment of estimated collection and recycling costs when a product is placed on the market. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The pay-as-you-put model requires pre-allocating a fixed amount for the waste management process. For example, First Solar, a leading solar module manufacturer in the United States, uses this approach for recycling the waste from its modules. With the sale of each module, it sets aside a lump sum to meet the estimated future collection and recycling cost of its modules. x
Pay-as-you-put (PAYP) (for End of Life Financing) The producers set aside an estimated cost for collection and recycling waste at the time of sale. x
Pico products Pico products include small, portable solar lanterns, flashlights, or lanterns designed to meet basic lighting needs as a direct replacement for kerosene lamps in a small household. x
Preparation for re-use A sequence of operations by which products, or parts thereof, are prepared so that they can be used by a person other than its previous owner or user, for the same purpose for which they were conceived.

Preparation of Re-use of products includes cleaning, testing, repairing, etc. and can apply to both hardware and software settings and updates. Preparation of re-use of parts or components includes extracting them from the product where they are installed so that they can be used to build or repair other products.

x x x
Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) In many countries with mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, companies established Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) to jointly organize collection, recycling and a fair distribution of costs. These are established between companies and other market players to collaborate and achieve volumes, and thereby reducing costs. x
Re-purpose To change a product so that it can be used for a different purpose. x x x x
Re-use Any operation by which products or parts thereof are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived. x x x
Re-use The use of components and modules obtained from end of life products as spare parts or in other products. x x x x
Recycle Recycling is the process of recovering scrap materials from products at their end of life stage and converting them to reusable materials. x x x x
Refurbish Processing an end of life product such that its full functionality is restored. x x x x
Refurbishing Functional or aesthetical maintenance or repair of an item to restore to original, upgraded, or other predetermined form and functionality. x x x
Remanufacture Production process that creates products using parts taken from previously used products. x
Repair Repair is aimed at restoring the product’s functionality after its failure. It often includes partial disassembly, component replacement and reassembly. x x x x
Reparability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts to be separately repaired or replaced without having to replace the entire product. x x x
Reusability Characteristic of a product that allows all or some of its parts or the product as a whole to be used again for the same purpose. x x x
Separation (before recycling) Once a product has reached its end of life, the materials within it need to be separated in order for them to be recycled. The use of glue and other adhesives which prohibit this separation process makes recycling more difficult. x x x x
Series connection When stringing panels in series, each panel adds to the total voltage (V) of the string but the current (I) in the string remains the same. So, when considering power output, adding the voltages means that power can increase quickly under ideal circumstances. x x x x
Serviceability Serviceability is an expression of the ease with which a component, device or system can be maintained and repaired.

Also: "ability of a product to perform the specified functions" [SOURCE: ISO 4306-1:1990, definition 1.2]

x x x
Short circuit A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal path. The term comes from the fact that such currents bypass the normal load (i.e., it finds a “short” path around the load). x x x x
Spare Part A part which can replace a faulty, failed or worn-out replaceable part. x x x
Subassembly A connected set of components, such as a circuit board consisting of a PCB and soldered electronic components. x x x x
Upcycle To reuse discarded objects or materials in ways that create a new product with higher value than the objects or materials alone. x x
Valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries VRLA batteries are also known as captive electrolyte batteries where the electrolyte material is made immobile (to resemble a gel-like compound). Therefore, it is naturally sealed under normal operating conditions and it is no longer restricted in physical orientation (can be placed in any direction). It reduces the evaporation, spilling and corrosion problems that are common to wet-cell batteries. x
  • Pico PV Systems
  • Solar Home Systems
  • Solar Water Pumps
  • Warranties Pico PV & SH Systems
  • Warranties Solar Water Pumps
  • Frequent Malfunctions
  • Protocols: Testing
  • Protocols: Technician Tools
  • Protocols: Skilled Technicians
System/ Component Type of Maintenance Task Required Required Equipment Frequency of Action Importance
PV Panels Preventive / best practice for use Charge the solar panels everyday, even if it is cloudy. Solar panels should be placed in the sun for 6-8 hours of direct sunlight (facing the sun) per day for a full charge. Some companies recommend 2 full days of sun of to charge their product for the first time use. Owner / User None During first installation. The task can be reviwed after observing for a few days of operation. High
PV Panels Preventive / best practice for use Check for new shading elements that may prevent the panels from charging during the day. Solar lights for outdoor use should have been installed in a position to receive as much direct sunlight as possible. If there is a new shading element, change the position of the solar light. Owner / User Usually portable, maybe a screwdriver for mechanically secured systems Weekly Medium
PV Panels Preventive / best practice for use Keep the panels dry and clean free of dirt and dust Owner / User Cleaning cloth Daily Medium
Lamp / bulb Preventive / best practice for use Do not keep the panels in a dusty / sandy area. Keep the lamps free of dirt and dust to allow proper illumination. Wipe clean with a soft cloth, and make sure it is dry. Owner / User Cleaning cloth Daily Medium
Batteries Preventive / best practice for use Do not leave the system (panels) exposed outdoors when it is not charging or when it is fully charged. Some products may not be protected against overcharging, and this can affect battery performance. Owner / User None Daily Medium
System Preventive / best practice for use Keep the system away from hot surfaces and fire Owner / User None Daily High
Batteries Preventive / best practice for use Use the lights for at least 4 hours after a full charge, to efficiently use the batteries Owner / User None Daily Medium
Batteries Preventive / best practice for use Charge the mobile phone during the day, when the panel is facing the sun (also charging), to maximise battery usage. Owner / User None When used Medium
System Preventive / best practice for use Do not open the solar product or try to repair internal components, like the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). In case of malfunction or breakage, contact a Skilled technician or a company representative Owner / User None When used High
System Preventive / best practice for use Do not leave solar system outside in the rain Owner / User None When used Medium
System Preventive / best practice for use Turn the light off during charging. If you are not sure of the switch position, put the panel under the sun and check the light after 20 minutes. Owner / User None When used High
Cables and Wires Preventive / best practice for use Check for any loose connections through visual inspection. Secure these loose connections using electrical safety gloves. In case of burnt or damaged cables, call a qualified technician for maintenance Owner / User Safety gloves When the system has been displaced or not functioning optimally High
Components/ Whole System Best practice for use

•Contact customer support to attempt product/component replacement.
•If repair not possible, request replacement
•If replacement not diserable, arrange return of damaged / dysfunctional product to company.
•If return to company not possible, give the system / component to electronic/chemical recycling companies in the neigborhood

•If no recycling companies are available, dispose off safely as 'electronic and chemical' waste, as per local municipality / government guidelines.
Owner / User None Single time, if component / system becomes dysfunctional -
System/ Component Type of Maintenance Tasks Required Expertise Required Equipment Frequency of Action Importance
PV Panels Preventive / best practice for use Charge the solar panels everyday, even if it is cloudy. Solar panels should be placed in the sun for 6-8 hours of direct sunlight (facing the sun) per day for a full charge. Some companies recommend 2 full days of sun of to charge their product for the first time use. Owner / User None During first installation. The task can be reviwed after observing for a few days of operation. High
PV Panels Preventive / best practice for use Check for new shading elements that may prevent the panels from charging during the day. Solar lights for outdoor use should have been installed in a position to receive as much direct sunlight as possible. If there is a new shading element, change the position of the solar light. Owner / User Usually portable, maybe a screwdriver for mechanically secured systems Weekly Medium
PV Panels Preventive / best practice for use Keep the panels dry and clean free of dirt and dust Owner / User Cleaning cloth Daily Medium
Lamp / bulb Preventive / best practice for use Do not keep the panels in a dusty / sandy area. Keep the lamps free of dirt and dust to allow proper illumination. Wipe clean with a soft cloth, and make sure it is dry. Owner / User Cleaning cloth Daily Medium
Batteries Preventive / best practice for use Do not leave the system (panels) exposed outdoors when it is not charging or when it is fully charged. Some products may not be protected against overcharging, and this can affect battery performance. Owner / User None Daily Medium
System Preventive / best practice for use Keep the system away from hot surfaces and fire Owner / User None Daily High
Batteries Preventive / best practice for use Use the lights for at least 4 hours after a full charge, to efficiently use the batteries Owner / User None Daily Medium
Batteries Preventive / best practice for use Charge the mobile phone during the day, when the panel is facing the sun (also charging), to maximise battery usage. Owner / User None When used Medium
System Preventive / best practice for use Do not open the solar product or try to repair internal components, like the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). In case of malfunction or breakage, contact a Skilled technician or a company representative Owner / User None When used High
System Preventive / best practice for use Do not leave solar system outside in the rain Owner / User None When used Medium
System Preventive / best practice for use Turn the light off during charging. If you are not sure of the switch position, put the panel under the sun and check the light after 20 minutes. Owner / User None When used High
Cables and Wires Preventive / best practice for use Check for any loose connections through visual inspection. Secure these loose connections using electrical safety gloves. In case of burnt or damaged cables, call a qualitifed technician for maintenance Owner / User Safety gloves When the system has been displaced or not functioning optimally High
Battery Box (in Solar Home Systems) Preventive Keep the battery box and the appliances clean. Owner / User None Weekly / Every 2 weeks Medium
Preventive Make sure that the battery box and appliances are not exposed to liquids. Owner / User None Always High
Preventive Protect the battery box from rain and direct sunlight. Indoor use only. Owner / User None Always High
Preventive The battery has to be replaced after several years of usage. This should be done by an authorized technician. Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit, Battery removal and installation Toolkit and replacement battery End of life (5-7 years) High
Preventive Ensure that the product functions at the ideal temperature range as specified by the solar provider. Owner / User None Always Medium
Repair If the cables are damaged, make sure that they are repaired or replaced. Use the manufacturer provided cables, or call a company assigned service technician. Owner / User, or Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit When damaged Medium
Preventive Do not use loads and appliances that are not designed or certified for the system (except for the USB port) Owner / User None Always High
Preventive Do not charge the batteries with panels which are not compatible (for example, from a different provider / manufacturer). In case it is compatible with other solar panel brands, these would be specified in the user manual provided with the solar system. Owner / User None Always High
Other Components like fan, televisinon, radio, refrigerator etc. offered with the Solar Home System - Follow Instructions from manufacturer of respective componentor call service technician. Owner / User or Skilled technician, as applicable None - -
Solar Street Lights, including following variations:

Capacities: 10W to 20W range - Basic design, only powering the lamp, maybe with battery backup 25W-320 W range - Internet-of-Things (IOT) solutions such as WiFi, sensors, security camera, etc.

Preventive Clean the panels to remove dust, debris such as bird droppings or leaves and twigs from vegetation, and snow (where applicable). Usually this is not required too often, since the rain can wash away dust from the panels Owner / User Body safety harness (for working on heigts), cleaning cloth, wet sponge

Location dependent:

Once in 3 months (dusty and dry weather) Once a year (moderate dust and rain available)

After first snow (when applicable)
Medium
Repair / best practice for use Replace batteries Skilled Technician Battery removal and installation Toolkit, replacement battery and body harness (working on heights) Once in 5 years High
Preventive If the location of the street light is close to the seaside with exposure to salt corrosion and high salt fog, make sure to check the installation bracket, and remove this with a non-abrasive brush Owner / User Non-abrasive brush, cleaning cloth and body harness (working on heights) Yearly Medium
Components/ Whole System (others) Best practice for use

- Contact customer support to attempt product/component replacement. - If repair not possible, request replacement - If replacement not diserable, arrange return of damaged / dysfunctional product to company. - If return to company not possible, give the system / component to electronic/chemical recycling companies in the neigborhood

- If no recycling companies are available, dispose off safely as 'electronic and chemical' waste, as per local municipality / government guidelines.
Owner / User None Single time, if component / system becomes dysfunctional -
System/ Component Type of Maintenance Tasks Required Expertise Required Equipment Frequency of Action Importance
PV Modules Regular Inspection and preventive care Check solar array for any immediate needs

•Leaves or sticks that have been blownor fallen onto the panels.
•Bird droppings or major dirt build-up
•Breakages from storms or other means
•Wiring

Owner / User None Daily Recommended
Check for a source of shade on the panels, such as vegetation or structures. Trim or remove any vegetation around the solar panels as well as any structures that will block sunlight Owner / User Prunning shears / Hand shears Weekly Best Practice
Check area around solar panels for rubbish, debris, and spider webs or any other insect nesting. Remove and dispose of rubbish and debris. Carefully remove webs and nests. Owner / User Cleaning cloth Weekly Best Practice
Wash panels: Do during early hours when it is not yet hot. Use a soft sponge and water only. Owner / User Non-abrasave, sponge and soap water Weekly Best Practice
Check for cracks in the panel. If present, request technical support. Owner / User None Weekly Best Practice
Check for exposed or loose or disconnected wiring. Check for any damage from rodents or animals. If present, request technical support. Owner / User None Weekly Best Practice
Check if the panel mounting is strong and well attached. Check for cracks or any other signs of weakening. If present, request technical support. Owner / User None Weekly Best Practice
Preventive Maintenance Integrity inspection and replacement Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Mandatory
Check cleanliness of modules Skilled Technician None Yearly Mandatory
Electrical measurement inspections Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Mandatory
Thermography inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Recommended
Checking clamps/bolts panel structure Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Mandatory
Internal inspection of junction boxes Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Recommended
Controllers / inverters Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi-annually or Yearly Mandatory
Document inspection Skilled Technician None Yearly Best Practice
Check labelling and identification Skilled Technician None Yearly Mandatory
Check correct operation (on/off) by operator Skilled Technician None Semi-annually or Yearly Mandatory
Check fuses and surge protections Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Mandatory
Thermographic inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best Practice
Sensor functional verification Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Mandatory
Regular inspection and preventive care Check any warning lights or alarms :Low water level in the well, Intrusion, Power outage, Pump failure, Low pressure Owner / User None Daily Best practice
Record electrical power Owner / User Technician Toolkit Weekly Best practice
Read pressure guage Owner / User Technician Toolkit Daily Best practice
Read volt and ampere meters Owner / User Technician Toolkit Daily Best practice
Pump Regular inspection and preventive care Check and dispose of rubbish and debris in area around the pump Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Check if pump or discharge piping is leaking and request technical help to fix it Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Check pump pressure when running and request technical support if there is chnage from normal in pressure. Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Pumphouse/Pump enclosure Regular inspection and preventive care Regular inspection and preventive care Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Lock enclosure and/or repair locking hardware Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Electrical boards and switches Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Minimum requirement
Check labelling and identification Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Electrical protection (including fuses, surge and others) visual and functional tests Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Checking integrity of cables and state of terminals Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Minimum requirement
Measurement inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best practice
Thermography inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Recommendation
Check cable tightening Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Monitoring operation test Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best practice
Cables ( DC and AC) Preventive Maintenance Integrity inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Minimum requirement
Check labelling and identification Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Check cable terminals Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Measurement inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best practice
Control box/ Inverter Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Minimum requirement
Document inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best practice
Check labelling and identification Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Check correct operation (on/off) by operator Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Minimum requirement
Check fuses and surge Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Thermographic inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best practice
Sensor funcational verification Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Generator (for energy back-up or in hybrid systems) Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
General maintenance Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Check correct operation Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Replacement of filters Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit
As required* E.g. for Perkins, replacement should be done 250 hours for the first operation, and then 500 hours for each operation after that.
Best practice
Pressure Lines Regular inspection and preventive care Bury pipes if they are found exposed Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request technical support if valves are leaking Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request technical support if pipes are leaking Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request technical support if connections are leaking Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request technical support if valves are stuck(cannot be moves), loose, or missing Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Tank Regular inspection and preventive care Replace the tank lid if it is missing, request technical support to fix the lid or place a purchase order for new lid Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request technical support if the tank is cracked or leaking Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request technical support if connections to the tank are leaking Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request techncial support if the tank stand (support) is damaged in any way Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Request techncial support if the tank is leaning Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Distribution line Bury pipes if they are exposed Replace the tank lid if it is missing, request technical support to fix the lid or place a purchase order for new lid Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Tighten the valve if found leaking or loose,remove valve and replace gasket or replace enture valve if leaking continues Owner / User Plumbing wrench Weekly Best practice
Tighten the fitting if pipes/connections are leaking.Request technical support if leaking continues Owner / User Plumbing wrench Weekly Best practice
Request techncial support if valves are stuck(cannot be moves), loose, or missing. Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Taps and standpipes Regular inspection and preventive care Tighten taps if found loose. Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Tighten tap is found leaking, replace gasket or entire tap if leaking continues Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Replace taps if stuck or blocked Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Replace tap/handles if handles are missing Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Straighten and construct support for tap stand or secure to existing support if standpipes are leaning or falling over Owner / User None Weekly Best practice
Lights and electrical sockets Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Check correct operation Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best practice
Check conformity to local security standards Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Best practice
Water supply system Preventive Maintenance Integrity inspection of pipeline and reservoir (if any) Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Minimum requirement
Check water meter correct operation Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Minimum requirement
Check water readings are properly taken by operator Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Semi - annually or Yearly Best practice
Bulk water meter Regular inspection and preventive maintenance Read power consumption, if bulk water meter is not working Owner/user None Daily Best practice
Report functionality problems immediately Owner/user None Daily Best practice
Request for calibration if there are doubts about the accuracy of the reading or if the meter has not been calibrated for more than five years Owner/user None Daily Best practice
Lighting protection (if applicable) Preventive Maintenance Integrity inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Fences and gates Preventive Maintenance Integrity inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Yearly Minimum requirement
Vegetation Preventive Maintenance Vegetation cleaning Owner/user Cutting tools According to local conditions Quarterly,Semi-annually or Yearly
Drainage system Preventive Maintenance General cleaning Owner/user Cleaning tools According to local conditions Quarterly,Semi-annually or Yearly
Buildings Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit According to local requirements
Documentation inspection Skilled Technician None Best practice Yearly
Check earthing Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Minimum requirement Every 3 Years
Pv support structure Preventive Maintenance Integrity inspection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Minimum requirement Yearly
Check tightening Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Minimum requirement Yearly
Irradiation sensors Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit According to manufacturer specifications and local conditions Quarterly
Calibration Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit According to manufacturer specifications and local conditions Every 2 Years
Monitoring operation test Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit According to manufacturer specifications and local conditions Yearly
Communication board/Remote monitoring Preventive Maintenance Functional communication check Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit Minimum requirement Quarterly
Intrusion detection system Preventive Maintenance Integrity check and cleaning Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit According to manufacturer specifications Yearly
Functional verification of intrution detection Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit According to manufacturer specifications Yearly
Functional verification of alarms/cameras Skilled Technician Technician Toolkit According to manufacturer specifications Quarterly
Stock of spare parts Preventive Maintenance Inventory of stock Skilled Technician None Minimum requirements Yearly
Visual inspection of stock conditions Skilled Technician None Minimum requirements Yearly
Stock replenishment Skilled Technician None Minimum requirements Quarterly
Warranty for Pico PV and SHS Type of Warranty Usual Warranty Duration Coverage Not Covered
Pico Solar PV Systems

SunnyMoney (based on models SM100, S2, Pro2, Mobile and HP30)

Manufacturing warranty Limited 2-year warranty

•This warranty covers manufacturing defects. If the product was purchased within the last two years and it is faulty it can be exchanged for a new product.

•After the warranty period is finished and the product stops working there is no replacement. At this point the user is encouraged to open the product and attempt to repair it, if one has the relevant skills.
Any tampering of the product, which includes any attempted opening of the product or even the loosening of the screws voids the warranty
IDCOL SHS Program Manufacturing warranty (product), performance warranty A range of minimum warranties are required for each component including at least 20 years for PV module power output, 3 or 5 years for batteries, and 3 years for charge controllers and LED lights.
Lighting Global Program Manufacturing warranty (product and system), performance warranty
The minimum warranty period from the time of purchase by the end-user is at least:

(i) 2 years for the main system, including the PV module, control box, cables and lights and the system battery. (Batteries included within appliances are only required to meet the 1-year warranty). The battery warranty is assumed to include a capacity retention figure of at least 80% at two years, benchmarked to the rated battery capacity.

(ii) 1 year for all lighting appliances that include their own batteries (including pico-power lights), all non-lighting appliances, USB charging adaptors and similar accessories.
The warranty must cover, at a minimum, manufacturing defects that impede operation under normal use and protection from early component failure
Greenlight Planet: Sun King HOME 60, HOME 120, Pico SK121 Manufacturer's warranty All Sun King™ products are covered under a limited 2-year warranty. If there is a manufacturing defect in the lamp, battery or solar panel, the product will be fully replaced. Manufacturing defects

•Wear and tear or abuse of the product
•If the product is tampered with in any way or opened by an unauthorized repair person
•Underperformance due to natural variation in sunlight

Other Component Based SHS
Battery box (technology dependent) Product Warranty 3 years

•Guarantee that products are free from defects in material or workmanship

•Any consequential damage (caused by user) or damage that exceeds the value of the product
•The warranty becomes invalid if the device is used other than intended by the manufacturer.
•It does not cover failures caused by wrong installation or set up or unusual use. The warranty is also void in case of repairs by any unauthorized or untrained person.

•Do not open the products; this will result in a loss of the warranty.
Remote control within PAYG systems (ability to operate the product by making small payments, using a SIM card or key-code system) Product Warranty 1 year -
Solar Street Lights, including following variations:

Capacities: 10W to 20W range - Basic design, only powering the lamp, maybe with battery backup

25W-320 W range - Internet-of-Things (IOT) solutions such as WiFi, sensors, security camera, etc
System Warranty 2 years (sometimes 1 year)

•If incorporated at the planning stage of any project, costs of wiring, hardware, fittings, trenching etc are eliminated as well as their associated maintenance costs

-
Fans, televisino, radio, refrigerators, etc. Depends on component manufacturer and provider - -

•Appliances, like radio, TV or fans are not included (respective manufacturer's warranty applicable, if available). The solar provider does not ensure this.

Freecold Refrigerators Product warranty 1 year

•spare parts and labor included

-
UNICEF solar direct drive refrigerators and freezers Supplier Warranty 2 years
Long Term Agreements (LTAs) are signed between UNICEF SD and suppliers, while stipulating the warranty conditions for Cold Chain products. During the warranty period, the supplier must repair goods whenever defects related to faulty equipment appear after delivery. The following is covered:

•The Goods shall be new, factory packed and conform to the LTA requirements and specifications;
•The Goods are free from defects in workmanship and materials;
•The Goods are contained or packaged in a manner adequate to protect them; and

•It has the personnel, experience, qualifications, facilities, financial resources and all other skills and resources to perform its obligations under the LTA
-
NIWA Solar's 24" Solar TV and 32" Solar TV, Computer work station, radio 1 year - -
Warranty for Pico Solar Water Pumps Type of Warranty Usual Warranty Duration Coverage Not Covered
Modules Component warranty 10-year product warranty and 25 years power output guarantee based on light-induced degradation

•This warranty coveres against defective components or workmanship.
•Unless specifically mentioned in the warranty that these are covered onsite, then the products can be exchannew ones and the labour and costs of transport are excluded, that is, the equipment must be returned by the client to thesupplier/contractor for diagnosis of the problem.

•If installer needs to visit the site for diagnosis, the cost of the visit is charged to the client.
Repair/replacement of components damaged due to negligence or fault of the client , theft, or vandalism.
Controller/inverters Component warranty 2-5 years

•This warranty coveres against defective components or workmanship.

•Warranty void if third-party pumps used and if failure was found due to fault of installler where all costs are borne by the installer.

•Warranty also does not cover damage due to : mishandling or abuse; failure to protext from weather exposure; failure to proetct from overheating due to sun exposure; failure to seal out insects, spider or rodents; lightning; flood or other acts of nature
Pump and motor Component warranty 2–5 years

•This warranty coveres against defective components or workmanship.

•Pump rotor/ Stator/Impeller/Pump are considered to be normally wearing parts, and are not covered under warranty.

•Warranty doess not cover damage due to sand or abrasive silt in the water, mishandling or other abusive conditions, lighting or other acts of nature.
All other balance of system components Component warranty 1–2 years

•This warranty coveres against defective components or workmanship.

System Quality of installation and workmanship warranty Typically within the first 6 months to 1 year

•This warranty commits the installer to provide backup support onsite, if the system develops a problem after installation.
•Any Item which fails or are not installed to standard are corected and resolved onsite at cost to the supplier.
•This warranty also covers issues arising from poor quality of instllation , which are dealt with onsite at a cost to the supplier and this also covers corrosion of material used onsite like support structures.

•Warranty covers only failures that are cuased by contractor fault, workmanship, or quality issues.
Repair/replacement of components damaged due to negligence or fault of the client , theft, or vandalism.
System performance warranty Several Years

•This warranty commits the supplier to ensure future system performance tests, when corrected back to design conditions will exceed the design performance.

Rarely encountered in humanitarian contexts
Technology Malfunction Possible Cause Check Possible Remedy Responsible Equipment
Solar Pumps The pump does not start/run Power supply to the pump has been cut off by the tank-full switch or dry-run protection If the tank-full light is red Tank is full – pump will come on with water use Owner / User None
If the source-low light is red Pump will come on when source recharges Owner / User None
No or low power coming from the PV generator If the solar modules are clean Clean the modules Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
For failed connections Rectify insecure/unsealed wires, loose cable connections, failed cable joints Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
If wiring (series/ parallel) is correct Correct wrong wiring Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
No or low power reaching the controller If accessories are correctly wired Rectify wiring Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
For failed connections Rectify insecure/unsealed wires, loose cable connections, failed cable joints Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
The pump light comes ON and OFF Solar power is not strong enough for the pump to run If the panels are clean Clean the modules Owner / User cleaning cloth, non-abrasive sponge
If there is a passing shadow This does not indicate a problem. The pump should restart after normal delay - None
If the weather is overcast Wait for the weather to improve - None
Pump ON light shows red instead of green due to system overload Excessive pressure If there is a restriction in the pipe such as a blocked pipe, closed valve Remove restriction, open valve Skilled Technician None
Insufficient motor cooling For high running current Confirm pump position and match with installation / design guidelines Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Blocked motor or pump For high running current Switch off the pump and call the system service provider/technician to rectify Owner / User, followed by Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Pump attempts to start at intervals (will start to turn or just vibrate a little) Insufficient power reaching the controller If accessories are correctly wired Rectify wiring Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
For failed connections Rectify insecure/unsealed wires, loose cable connections, failed cable joints Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Pump is running in reverse direction If phases are correctly connected Rectify wiring Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Motor is not getting power on all three phases For loose connections Tighten connections Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Pump or pipe is blocked If pipes or pump are packed with mud, sand, debris Clean pump and pipes Owner / User Cleaning brush, cloth, and disposal bags for dirt removed
Pump runs but no water delivery Surface valves are shut If any valves are closed Open all valves Owner / User None
Broken downpipe Pipes by listening near borehole Pull out the pump and replace worn out pipes Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Insufficient irradiation to deliver water If irradiation threshold is enough for water delivery Wait for the weather to improve - None
Pump running in reverse direction If phases are correctly connected Rectify wiring Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Non-return valve is stuck in closed position Non-return valve Clean or replace the valve Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Suction strainer is blocked If the strainer is clogged due to debris / mud Pull out the pump and clean the strainer Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Pump/motor coupling broken For low running current Switch off the pump and call the system service provider/technician Owner / User None
Pump runs but there is lower water delivery than expected Leaking downpipe or delivery pipe Pipes by listening near borehole for leakages in surface pipes Replace worn-out pipes and fittings Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Source water level too low If flow is intermittent and if motor current is low Wait for source to recharge - None
Pump or pipe chocked with silt/mud, valves partially closed If water output is discoloured and silt laden Unclog the pipes, pull out pump and unclog if necessary Owner / User Cleaning brush, cloth, and disposal bags for dirt removed
If any valves are closed Open valves Owner / User None
Vales in the discharge pipe are partly closed/blocked If any valves are blocked due to debris / mud Clean or replace the valves Owner / User cleaning cloth, non-abrasive brushes
Pump running in reverse direction If phases are correctly connected Rectify wiring Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Insufficient power reaching the controller If DC accessories are correctly wired Rectify wiring Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
For failed connections Rectify insecure/unsealed wires, loose cable connections, failed cable joints Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Pump internal parts worn out - Call service centre for repair or replacement Owner / User None
Pump starts and stops at frequent intervals Water level sensors or level switches in the reservoir are installed incorrectly If sensor and switch intervals are too close Adjust sensor/switch intervals Skilled Technician (see Technician Toolkit, under 'Protocols')
Pico Solar Mechanical failure of components Manufacturing defect or poor handling Visual Durability Examination Replace damaged components Skilled Technician None
Light does not turn on Switch is turned off Check the on/off switch Turn on the switch. If you are not sure of the switch position, put the panel under the sun and check the light after 20 minutes. Owner / User None
Battery is not fully charged Turn the switch on, when not placed in the sun. If there is no illumination / power in the USB port or attached product, the battery is not charged. Fully charge the system by placing in the system for 6-8 hours in directly sunlight Owner / User None
Exposed to weather/rain Device Weather Protection Secured placement of device Owner / User Usually portable, maybe a screwdriver for mechanically secured systems
Accumulation of dust inside the light or switch mounted on the PCB Open device and inspect internal components* Clean without damaging components Owner / User Correct screwdriver, dry brush or mini blower
Burnt Cables or components Repair or replace damaged components, such as the Battery, panel, LED or switch (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Disconnected / unsoldered cables on main panel and PCB Connect / re-solder the cables as necessary
Battery is faulty / Quick Battery Failure, due to lack of deep discharge protection Battery Testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Switch is faulty Switch Testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Panel is faulty Panel Testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
LED light s faulty LED Light Continuity Testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Inconsistent Light Output

•Low Quality LEDs
•Reduction in luminous efficacy over continuous usage

LED Light Continuity Testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Main switch not working Switch is faulty Switch testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Device is not charging Damaged cabling Observation of Internal components (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Panel failure or damage Panel Testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Battery failure or damage Battery Testing (see procedure table, under 'Protocols') Skilled Technician (see procedure table, under 'Protocols')
Damaged External Wires and Connections Cable between lantern and solar module is Short Visual Inspection for wire bruising Replace damaged wires/ secure cabling Owner / User for visual inspection and securing existing cable ONLY; Skilled technician for repair or replacement of cables Safety gloves, replacement cables / wires
USB Charging port not working Dust accumulation or Foreign material Examine the charging jack/Rubber cover Clean the USB jack without damaging components Owner / User Dry brush or mini blower
Broken /loose interior charging pin Examine the charging jack Replace Charging Jack Skilled Technician Replacemnt port/shell, Soldering iron, solder, soldering wick

Safety: Use goggles and gloves for soldering requirements and to protect against battery leakages

Component Based Components (radio,TV) damaged Charge regulator not protected against inversion Device specification Replace charge regulator Skilled Technician Replacement components
Radio and TVs not running smootly Interference from other loads Charge controller damage/expiration Replace charge regulator Skilled Technician Replacement components
Loose contact wires Open device and inspect Solder and secure wires Skilled Technician Soldering iron, solder, soldering wick, multimeter
Components showing low voltage problems Panels are shaded leading to low production Check if panel is covered or has dust accumulation Clean panels Owner/User Dry brush or mini blower
Panels are damaged Checked voltage between panels terminals and compare with manufacturer values Replace panel if damaged Skilled Technician Multimeter
Batteries

•There are two basic types of batteries that are available for use in a standard solar energy production system: sealed batteries (AGM or Gel cell) and flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries.
•Sealed batteries require only little maintenance in order to keep them working properly, the FLA batteries have a longer lifespan.
•In off-grid conditions, usually sealed lead acid battery, lithium ion, vented battery, NiCd, and gel battery technologies find application.

The batteries are generally attached to a digitised warning / fault detection system, which is integrated with the main device. A 'warning' or 'fault' signal along with the error code is usually activitated during a malfunction
Disconnection of battery cables Check if battery cable is connected firmly (use gloves to do this, in order to protect against chemical damanges). If connections are loose, wear protective gloves and use a wrench to tighten the connections Owner / User Protective gloves, wrench for tightening the connections
The warning signal remains, after checking connections in the batteries
Several causes which may or may not be related to the battery may occur, since is over- and under- voltage or over-current due to connected equipment.
Do not disassemble the battery and diagnose Call Skilled Technician Owner / User should call skilled technician As per manufacturer's guidelines
Check the batteries temperature and voltage Follow manufacturer's guidelines Skilled technician As per manufacturer's guidelines
Check if the overvoltage and deep discharge protection works correctly by toggling the on/off switch Follow manufacturer's guidelines Skilled technician As per manufacturer's guidelines
Visual check of other system components Follow manufacturer's guidelines Skilled technician As per manufacturer's guidelines
Procedure Check Possible Remedy Responsible Equipment
Observation of Internal Components Observe how the components are laid out and connected. This will facilitate identification of damaged components. It will also enable the reassembly process. Test and repair / replace respective components Skilled Technician Appropriate screwdrivers, eg. starhead / flathead for disassembly and assembly

Safety: Use goggles and gloves for soldering requirements and to protect against battery leakages

Panel Testing

•Ensure that the panel cables are firmly soldered on both the panel and the PCB.
•Test panel using multimeter

•If not connected, then resolder them
•If the reading is out of range, not reflecting power, conduct battery testing and switch testing

Skilled Technician
Multimeter, battery and switch testing equipment

For soldering:
•Replacment switch push button
•Soldering iron
•Solder
•Soldering wick or desoldering iron

Safety: Use goggles and gloves for soldering requirements and to protect against battery leakages
Switch testing Inspect the switch to check if it is firmly soldered onto the PCB (remains static and unmoving). Look for evidence of dust accumulation or any other foreign material. Remove any dust of other foreign material Skilled Technician Clean, dry brush or mini blower
Press the switch and listen for a clip sound. If there is no sound, the switch may be damaged. Replace Switch and Switch Rubber Cover, as may be required Skilled Technician

•Replacment switch push button
•Soldering iron
•Solder
•Soldering wick or desoldering iron
•Multimeter

For replacing Switch Rubber cover
•Appropriate screwdriver
•Silicon button cover

Safety: Use goggles and gloves for soldering requirements and to protect against battery leakages
Set the multimeter on the continuity range, and place the multimeter probes on each of the two switch terminals while pressing the switch. If the multimeter gives a sound when pressed, then the switch is ok. If there is no sound, then the switch may be damaged.
LED Light Continuity Testing

•Check for desoldered cables
•Set range on multimeter to conduct continuity test and note the readings

•If desoldered cables are present, solder using the right tools.

•If the multimeter gives a sound, then the LED lights are in good working order, if it not, then the LED lights are damaged and must be replaced.
Skilled Technician

•Digital Multimeter
•Soldering iron
•Soldering wire

Technician Toolkit Function
Infrared camera Conduct thermographic imaging, by finding high temperature hot spots in solar panels and electrical boards
Screwdrivers and drill bits Used for securing mechanical connections
Electrical tools including soldering, wiring and securing tools Repair and replacemnt of electrical cables and accessories, and securing loose componets inside the device
Multimeter (OR separate devices, i.e. ammeter, voltmeter) Measuring current and voltage in electrical connections.
Safety equipments, including goggles, gloves, body harness Safety goggles and gloves are to be used for soldering requirements and to protect against battery leakages.

A body harness should be used for security while working on heights

Non-abrasive brushe/sponge and cloth pieces For cleaning solar panels
Adjustable Wrench/Shifting Spanner

Accessories: Hex shaped nuts fastenings and tightening compression fittings with hex edges

Used for securing mechanical connections
Pipe Wrench Used to tighten and loosen threaded pipes and fittings
Working Shovel To dig into the ground to expose pipes and fittings
Digging Spade To dig into the ground to expose pipes and fittings
Thread seal tape Sealing off leaks between fittings and pipe threads
Bucket Removing a pool of water from a leaking pipe pit
Wire Brush Cleaning threads of pipes off any corrosion
Propane torch Sweating (soldering) copper pipes and fittings for a new joint or for repairs
Metal file Removes burrs and smoothens edges on pipes
Hacksaw To cut through metal, polyvinyl pipe, screws and related fittings


Examples of Certification/ Upskilling Programmes Country/ Certification Organisation Source

License for Solar PV Technician: ST1 to ST4, depending upon the level of experience and qualification, validated by experiences such as:
•Electrical Government Trade Test,
•Basic solar PV training (from any accredited institution)
•Bachelor of Science or National Diploma in Electrical, Electronics

•Relevant experience with solar PV systems
Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations, Government of Kenya, 2019 https://www.epra.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Draft-EnergySolar-Photovoltaic-Regulations_2019.pdf

Device Repair Technician:
•Experience with electronics, repairs and testing is an advantage.
•Experience and attitude to work is valued above academic qualifications.
•Team leadership qualities.
•Electrical engineering/repairs.

•6 months work experience (ideally in a related field)
M-Kopa (job posting for Uganda, 2020) https://everjobs.ug/job/device-repair-technician/
Training for assembly technician of solar systems ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) http://www.ecreee.org/page/training-assembly-technician-solar-systems
Regional Certification Scheme for Sustainable Energy Skills ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) http://www.ecreee.org/certification

Solar Technician

Education: Diploma in electrical or electronics engineering, experience with installation of solar systems Experience:
•Technical training in solar power installation and installation of solar water pumping systems
•Experience in solar pumping system design.
•Experience in training development and delivery for community driven programs
•Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.

NGO Jobs in Africa (job posting for Somalia, 2019) https://ngojobsinafrica.com/job/solar-technician/