Terms and definitions

Adapter: An adapter is used for the mechanical and electrical connection of different devices. It is a plug connection of different nominal widths, plug system standards or a signal conversion.

Abbreviation: Isc.

Additional battery / additional battery: Some power stations can be supplemented with an additional battery. This optional power variation provides even more flexibility and customisation.

Battery: Storage for electrical energy.

Bypass diode: Prevents the current from well-illuminated solar cells solar cells from affecting weaker or partially shaded solar cells.

Blackout: Sudden power failure that affects the entire public power grid.

Control panel: Control panel and display for monitoring and controlling modern power stations. The display provides information about the state of charge (SOC) of the power station, the current consumption and the solar charging power. Individual outputs of the power station can be switched on or off using separate switches.

CEE plug: Plug type that is often used in caravans and motorhomes for power supply at the campsite.

Cable lock: Used to secure the solar bags/cases against theft.

Charging options: A battery (vehicle) or power station can be charged via solar, alternator or shore power, among others.

Charging cycles: A single charging cycle corresponds to the complete recharging of a fully discharged battery. Cycles are repeated continuously.

Cell efficiency: The cell efficiency describes the effectiveness of an individual solar cell. It results from the ratio of the electrical energy emitted to the light energy irradiated.

Cigarette lighter: The on-board power socket installed in vehicles, which is often used as a cigarette lighter, can also be used to supply power to power stations.

DC input: The solar and vehicle charging inputs of a power station are referred to as DC (direct current) inputs.

Deep discharge: Deep discharge refers to the almost completely exhausted capacity of a battery.

Daily yield: Average expected yield of a solar module based on the annual average.

Energy efficiency: Describes the ratio of a certain benefit. The less electricity a supplier requires in comparison, the more efficient.

Emergency generator: Power generator that steps in and supplies critical infrastructure with power in the event of a blackout or power failure. Powerstations can be used as emergency power generators and thus supply consumers required in an emergency, such as lights or a freezer.

Frame module: Fixed solar module with aluminium frame.

Inverter: Converts direct current (e.g. 12 V) into alternating current (e.g. 230 V). Also known as an inverter or voltage converter.

Inverter: Converts direct current (e.g. 12 V) into alternating current (e.g. 230 V). Also referred to as an inverter or voltage converter.

Inverter Peak power: Short-term peak power (peak), which usually significantly exceeds the continuous power.

Cable lock: Used to secure the solar bags/cases against theft

Lithium: Chemical element that is also used in the manufacture of batteries.

LiFePo4: High-performance lithium iron phosphate battery characterised by durability and cycle stability.

Lotus effect: Special coating of high-quality solar modules which ensures that water (rain) rolls off optimally and thus increases the possible incidence of light.

MC4 connector: Enables time-saving and reliable cabling of solar modules.

Multimeter: electronic measuring device for measuring current and voltage.

MPPT solar charge controller: MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controllers use conversion technology for charging. An MPPT controller does not require the solar panels to have the same nominal voltage as the battery bank. It can convert high voltage PV power into lower voltage charging power for a battery bank.

Monocrystalline: Monocrystalline solar cells consist of a uniform structure of silicon crystals. In direct sunlight, polycrystalline solar cells achieve an average efficiency of 22 – 24 % and are therefore significantly more efficient than polycrystalline solar cells.

Petrol generator: Engine powered by petrol that supplies electrical energy via a type of alternator.

Power supply unit: A power supply unit adapts the voltage of the mains supply to the voltage required by the device for charging.

Powerstation: Multifunctional mobile energy source that can usually be charged via solar, shore power and DC and has different outputs for supplying various devices.

Parallel connection: Connection of two (or more) solar modules without an additional adapter. A parallel connection increases the current (A) while the voltage (V) remains constant.

1. Example: Parallel connection of two WATTSTUNDE WS200SF solar panels with the values A = 10.71 A, V = 23.3 V.

• Total value of the two modules connected in parallel: A = 21.42 A, V = 23.3 V

Plug&Play: Ready for connection and usually ready for use after minimal installation work.

PV: Abbreviation for photovoltaics.

Polycrystalline: Polycrystalline solar cells consist of a crystalline solid, which in turn consists of many crystals of different sizes. In direct sunlight, polycrystalline solar cells only achieve an average efficiency of 15-20%

Roof bushing: Component (usually made of ABS plastic) for easy cable entry on caravan or motorhome/van

Starting current: The starting current is the current required when an appliance is switched on. For some appliances, this is higher than the power consumption stated on the rating plate.

Short-circuit current: The current that flows in the event of a short circuit. 

Shore power: Electricity from the public power grid.

Series connection: Connection of two (or more) solar modules without an additional adapter. A series connection increases the voltage (V) while the current (A) remains constant.

1. Example: Series connection of two WATTSTUNDE WS200SF solar panels with the values A = 10.71 A, V = 23.3 V.

• Total value of the two modules connected in series: A = 10.71 A, V = 46.6 V.

Solar bag/ SunFolder: A solar pocket is a foldable solar module. It consists of one or more solar modules that are incorporated into the solar pocket. The solar pocket can be flexibly orientated towards the sun as required.

Solar case: Similar to solar bags, solar cases are the perfect power generators for camping and outdoor activities.

Suction cups: The suction cups are used to supplement the solar bag and offer additional fastening options.

Shingle cells: Minimal overlapping of individual solar cells means there are no gaps between the solar modules.

SOC: State of Charge = state of charge.

STC: Standard Test Conditions = standard test conditions under which solar modules are tested.

• Cell temperature of 25°C;
• Irradiation of 1000 W/m²;
• Air mass AM of 1.5;

Voltage converter: Converts direct current (e.g. 12 V) into alternating current (e.g. 230 V). Also known as an inverter or voltage converter.

Watt: Unit for measuring power (e.g. of a solar module). Abbreviation “W”.

Watt hours: A watt hour corresponds to the energy that a system (e.g. a machine) with an output of one watt absorbs or emits in one hour. A 50-watt light bulb that lights up for one hour therefore converts 50 Wh.

Wp (Watt Peak): The output of a solar module in watts under optimum conditions (STC – Standard Test Conditions).