Solar, Battery & EV Glossary
Confused by solar, battery or EV terminology? Our plain-English glossary explains common terms you'll encounter when researching solar panels, battery storage and EV charging, from DNO, G98 and G99 to inverters, kWp and SigenStor.
| Term | What it means | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| AC Coupled | A battery system connected on the AC side of an electrical installation. AC coupling is often used when battery storage is added to an existing solar PV system. | Battery storage → |
| Battery Storage | A system that stores electricity for later use, including surplus solar generation or electricity charged from the grid at another time. | Battery storage → |
| DC Coupled | A system where solar generation and battery storage are connected on the DC side before electricity is converted to AC for use within the property. | Battery storage → |
| DNO | Distribution Network Operator. The company responsible for operating the local electricity distribution network. Solar PV and battery systems capable of exporting electricity may need to be notified to, or approved by, the DNO. | DNO approval explained → |
| Earth Rod | A type of earth electrode installed in the ground to provide an electrical connection to earth. It may form part of the earthing arrangement for certain electrical or EV charging installations. | — |
| EV | Electric Vehicle – a vehicle powered wholly or partly by electricity stored in a rechargeable battery. | EV charging → |
| EV Charger | A dedicated charging point used to safely charge an electric vehicle at a home or commercial premises. | EV chargers → |
| EVCC | Electric Vehicle Consumer Code. A consumer protection code setting standards that customers can expect when purchasing an EV charge point from an EVCC member. | EVCC website → |
| Export Limitation | A control that limits the maximum amount of electricity a solar or battery system can export to the local electricity network. | DNO approval explained → |
| G98 | Engineering Recommendation G98. The UK connection requirements for small, fully type-tested electricity generation systems. It generally applies to generation of up to 16A per phase, approximately 3.68kW on a single-phase supply. | G98 & G99 explained → |
| G99 | Engineering Recommendation G99. The UK connection requirements that generally apply to larger generation systems, including solar PV and battery storage, that exceed G98 limits or do not meet G98 requirements. | Read the DNO guide → |
| Hybrid Inverter | An inverter designed to manage both solar PV generation and compatible battery storage within the same energy system. | Battery storage → |
| In-roof / Integrated Solar | Solar panels installed as part of the roof covering rather than mounted above existing tiles, creating a cleaner and more streamlined finish. | Solar panels → |
| Inverter | Equipment that converts the DC electricity produced by solar panels into AC electricity that can be used within the property or exported to the grid. | How solar works → |
| kW vs kWh | kW measures power, while kWh measures the amount of energy generated, used or stored over time. This distinction is particularly important when comparing solar and battery systems. | Battery storage → |
| kWp | Kilowatt peak. The rated maximum output of a solar PV array under standard test conditions. | How solar works → |
| MCS | Microgeneration Certification Scheme. MCS sets standards for certified installers and eligible small-scale renewable energy installations in the UK. | Solar installation → |
| MPPT | Maximum Power Point Tracking. Technology used by an inverter or energy controller to optimise power from connected solar panels as conditions change. | How solar works → |
| NICEIC | National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. NICEIC assesses registered electrical contractors against relevant technical and safety standards. | NICEIC → |
| Nominal vs Usable Battery Capacity | Nominal capacity is the total stated capacity of a battery, while usable capacity is the amount of stored energy available for normal use after operating limits are taken into account. | Battery storage explained → |
| OZEV | Office for Zero Emission Vehicles – the UK Government team responsible for supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and associated charging infrastructure. | — |
| Sigen Battery | The modular battery component used within a SigenStor system. Multiple battery modules can be combined to provide different storage capacities depending on the installation. | Explore SigenStor → |
| Sigen Energy Controller | The power conversion and energy management component within a SigenStor system, helping manage electricity between solar PV, battery storage, the property and the grid. | Sigenergy explained → |
| Sigen Energy Gateway | A component used in compatible Sigenergy systems to help manage the connection between the property's energy system and electricity supply. Available functionality depends on the system design and configuration. | Energy Gateway → |
| SigenStor | Sigenergy's modular energy storage system, combining compatible components for storing, converting and managing electricity within a home or business energy system. | Sigenergy systems → |
| Single Phase | An electricity supply commonly found in UK homes and smaller premises. The available supply can influence the design and output of a solar PV or battery storage system. | Grid connection explained → |
| SMART Charger | An EV charging point with communications technology that allows charging to be monitored, controlled or scheduled through compatible software or an app. | EV chargers → |
| Solar PV | Photovoltaic technology that converts sunlight into electricity for use within a home or business. | How solar works → |
| Three Phase | An electricity supply using three phases rather than one. It is common in commercial premises and some larger homes and can support larger electrical loads and generation systems. | Grid connection explained → |
| Type 1 EV Connector | A five-pin EV charging connector historically used by a number of Asian and North American vehicle manufacturers. It is now less common in the UK than Type 2. | EV chargers → |
| Type 2 EV Connector | A seven-pin EV charging connector widely used in the UK and Europe. It can support single-phase or three-phase AC charging depending on the vehicle and charging equipment. | EV chargers → |
| V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) | Vehicle-to-Home. A form of bidirectional charging that allows electricity stored in a compatible electric vehicle battery to be supplied back to a property's electrical system through compatible bidirectional charging equipment. V2H can allow an EV battery to provide energy to the home, but availability depends on the vehicle, charger, software and system configuration. | V2H UK guide → |
| V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) | Vehicle-to-Grid. A form of bidirectional charging that allows electricity stored in a compatible electric vehicle battery to be exported back to the electricity grid. V2G can allow an EV to participate in compatible energy services, but availability depends on the vehicle, bidirectional charger, software, energy provider and grid connection requirements. | V2H & bidirectional charging → |
| V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) | Vehicle-to-Load. A feature available on some electric vehicles that allows electricity stored in the EV battery to power external appliances or electrical equipment. V2L is different from V2H because it does not, by itself, integrate the vehicle battery with the home's electrical system. | V2H & V2L explained → |