AC architecture is a solar system design where solar power is converted from DC to AC before it is used by loads, sent to the grid, or converted again to charge a battery.

An AC-coupled battery is a battery system that connects on the AC side of a solar installation - so after a solar inverter - and uses a battery inverter to convert AC power into DC for storage.

AC-coupled storage is a battery architecture where the battery connects through AC power and typically uses a battery inverter to charge and discharge.

AC coupling connects solar and battery equipment on the alternating-current side of the system, often useful for retrofit storage projects.

AC nominal voltage is the standard alternating-current voltage a device is designed to operate with under normal grid or site conditions.

The 2014 NEC requires that most inverters be equipped with an AFCI, which enables the inverter to shut down for safety reasons if an arc is detected.

Aggregate power smoothing is the effect of combining output from multiple modules or strings so peaks and dips balance before reaching the inverter.

Air mass describes the path length sunlight travels through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching a solar module.

System users can receive Email or SMS notifications about performance-related issues and monitoring interruptions.

A software interface that allows applications, devices, or platforms to exchange data automatically.

An application note is a technical document that explains how to apply, configure, or design around a product in a specific installation scenario.

A PV array is a group of solar modules and strings that work together as one generating section of a solar system.

A device that automatically transfers a power supply from its primary source to a backup source when it senses a failure or outage in the primary source.

The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) is the local body responsible for interpreting and enforcing electrical, building, and fire code requirements for a project.

The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) is the local body responsible for interpreting and enforcing electrical, building, and fire code requirements for a project.

Backup loads are the circuits or appliances a battery system is designed to power during a grid outage.

Battery adoption describes how widely system owners are adding energy storage to new or existing solar installations.

A battery incentive program is a utility, government, or market program that offers payments, rebates, or bill credits for installing or operating eligible battery storage.

A battery inverter converts battery DC power to AC power for use by loads or the grid and may also convert AC power to DC to charge the battery.

A battery management system monitors and protects battery cells by managing conditions such as voltage, current, temperature, and cell balancing.

A bill of materials (BOM) is the list of components, quantities, and part numbers required to build or quote a system.

Breaker space is the available room in an electrical panel for additional circuit breakers or interconnection equipment.

Bypass diodes are located inside the junction box of a PV module.

Cable length is the physical length of a conductor or connector lead, and it affects reach, voltage drop, layout, and installation planning.

Capacity factor is the ratio of actual energy produced over time to the energy a system would produce if it ran at full rated power continuously.

The Tigo Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA) is a compact solar data logger and communication hub that collects system and module-level data from compatible Tigo equipment and sends it to the Energy Intelligence platform.

Cell temperature is the operating temperature of the solar cells inside a PV module, which can be much hotter than the surrounding air.

Clipping occurs when a solar system could produce more power than the inverter or module-level electronics can convert, so the excess energy is not captured.

Clipping Tax is Tigo’s term for the lost value of solar energy that could have been produced but is clipped when inverter output limits cap usable power.

A combiner box brings multiple electrical circuits together into one output circuit and may include overcurrent protection or disconnecting means.

Continuous current is the maximum current a device can carry for extended operation without exceeding its thermal or electrical rating.

Conversion losses are the energy losses that occur when electricity is converted between DC and AC or processed through power electronics.

Conversion Tax is Tigo’s term for the energy value lost when solar or battery power is converted between DC and AC more times than necessary.

Critical loads are the most important electrical loads to keep powered during an outage, such as refrigeration, lighting, medical devices, networking equipment, or selected HVAC loads.

A term used in battery applications; it affects how stored energy is charged, discharged, backed up, or valued.

The first page on Tigo's Energy Intelligence (EI) Portal (Desktop version) is called the Installations page.

A datasheet is a manufacturer document that summarizes product ratings, dimensions, certifications, electrical limits, environmental limits, and installation-relevant specifications.

DC:AC ratio compares the total rated DC power of the solar array to the rated AC output capacity of the inverter.

DC architecture is a solar-plus-storage design that keeps solar energy on the DC side longer, typically using DC optimizers, a hybrid inverter, and DC-coupled batteries.

A DC-coupled battery is a battery system that charges from DC solar power before that energy is converted to AC for use by the home or grid.

DC-coupled storage is a battery architecture where solar energy can charge the battery on the DC side before being converted to AC for use.

DC coupling connects solar and battery equipment on the direct-current side of the system, which can reduce conversion steps in some architectures.

DC input voltage is the direct-current voltage range or maximum voltage a device can accept safely from PV modules or batteries.

A DC-optimized system uses DC optimizers at the module level with a central or hybrid inverter to manage solar production and conversion.

A DC optimizer is a module-level power electronics device that manages the DC output of a solar module before power is sent to a central inverter.

DC oversizing is designing the PV array's DC nameplate capacity higher than the inverter's AC rating.

A DC-to-DC converter changes one DC voltage or current operating point into another, often to improve control, safety, or energy harvest.

Demand response is a program or control strategy that adjusts energy use or storage behavior to help the grid during high-demand periods.

Dimensions describe the physical size of a device, usually needed for layout, mounting, enclosure planning, and clearance checks.

Discovery is the process in which monitoring equipment identifies and maps connected module-level devices during commissioning.

Tigo TS4-Duo is a legacy MLPE form factor that allowed one device to connect to two PV modules, reducing device count for compatible applications.

An east-west array is a PV layout with modules facing both east and west, spreading production across morning and afternoon hours.

The Tigo EI App is the mobile application installers and system owners use for Tigo system commissioning, monitoring, and site access on supported devices.

EI Basic is an Energy Intelligence monitoring plan level for viewing essential system performance data in the Tigo platform.

The Tigo EI Battery is a residential energy storage battery used with Tigo solar-plus-storage systems to store energy for backup power and energy management.

Modular battery blocks; it affects how stored energy is charged, discharged, backed up, or valued.

Energy Intelligence is Tigo’s software platform for commissioning, monitoring, and managing solar and storage systems from module-level data to multi-site fleet views.

The Tigo EI Inverter is a hybrid inverter for solar-plus-storage systems; a hybrid inverter converts DC solar or battery energy to AC power and coordinates battery charging, backup behavior, and monitoring.

The Tigo EI Inverter (EU) is a battery-ready hybrid inverter for European solar-plus-storage systems; an inverter converts DC power from solar modules or batteries into AC power for the home or grid, and this model connects with Tigo EI/GO batteries and system equipment.

The Tigo EI Inverter (US) is a storage-ready hybrid inverter for U.S. residential solar and storage systems; an inverter converts DC power from PV modules or batteries into AC power for home loads, backup circuits, or grid interaction.

Tigo EI Link is a system connection component used in European Tigo solar-plus-storage configurations to connect inverter, battery, and related equipment.

The Tigo EI Portal is the desktop web interface for Energy Intelligence, used to monitor installations, review system performance, and manage sites or fleets.

EI Premium is an Energy Intelligence monitoring plan level that expands monitoring and analysis capabilities beyond basic system visibility.

EI Professional is an Energy Intelligence monitoring plan level designed for installers, O&M teams, and fleet operators that need advanced site management capabilities.

Enclosure material is the material used for a product housing, selected to protect electronics from weather, impact, corrosion, heat, and jobsite reality.

Total accumulated kilowatt-hours (kWh) output from any TS4, EI Inverter, or EI Battery within a specified time frame.

Energy conversion is the process of changing electricity from DC to AC or from AC to DC so it can be used, stored, or exported.

Energy resilience is the ability of a home, business, or system to keep essential energy available during outages or abnormal grid conditions.

Equipment Tax is Tigo’s term for the extra hardware, inverter capacity, wiring, and service complexity that can come with AC architecture solar-plus-storage systems.

Energy Storage System; it affects how stored energy is charged, discharged, backed up, or valued.

An export rate is the compensation a utility or program provides for energy sent from a solar system to the grid.

Fault current is abnormal current that flows during a short circuit or other electrical fault, and it must be accounted for in protection and equipment ratings.

Fire safety labeling identifies PV or storage equipment and shutdown behavior so first responders, inspectors, and service teams can understand the system quickly.

Fleet monitoring is the management of many solar sites from one software environment, usually with filters, alerts, status views, and performance metrics.

The Tigo Gateway is a legacy rooftop transceiver that communicated with TS4 devices and connected back to a Tigo data logger before being replaced by TAP.

Tigo GO Battery is modular battery storage for solar-plus-storage systems; batteries store DC energy so a site can use solar later, support backup loads, or improve savings under rate plans.

The Tigo GO Battery (EU) is modular battery storage for European residential solar-plus-storage systems; a battery stores DC energy so the site can use solar power later, support backup loads, or respond to energy pricing.

The Tigo GO Battery (US) is modular LFP battery storage for U.S. residential solar-plus-storage systems; a battery stores solar or grid energy for backup power and energy bill management.

Global Optimizer Energy Storage System (outside US); it affects how stored energy is charged, discharged, backed up, or valued.

Tigo GO Inverter is an inverter in the GO Optimized ESS family; inverters convert DC energy from PV modules or batteries into AC energy for site loads or grid interaction.

Tigo GO Junction is a wiring and connection component in the GO Optimized ESS ecosystem, used to organize and connect system equipment in supported configurations.

A premium service or project support program provides extra help before, during, or after installation so projects move more smoothly.

A grid outage is a loss of utility power; in solar projects it provides useful context for design, installation, service, or ownership.

A grounded system intentionally connects one conductor or point in the electrical system to ground for safety, reference, or fault-clearing purposes.

Hazard detection is the ability of equipment or software to detect unsafe operating conditions such as arc faults, overvoltage, overtemperature, or communication loss.

A heartbeat signal is a recurring communication signal used to confirm that a device or system is powered, connected, and behaving normally.

Heat dissipation is how a device releases generated heat so electronics stay within safe operating temperature limits.

A high-wattage module is a solar module with a higher nameplate power rating, commonly 400 watts and above in modern residential systems and higher in many commercial applications.

Humidity rating defines the moisture conditions a device can tolerate during operation or storage.

A hybrid inverter manages both solar generation and battery storage, converting DC and AC power as needed so the home or building can use, store, or export energy.

Current at the module's maximum power point; in PV design it helps verify equipment ratings, wiring, and safe operating limits.

The current measurement of a PV module when a load is applied to the string, i.e., the PV inverter is producing.

Inrush current is the brief surge of current that can occur when equipment is first energized.

Installation speed is the time and labor required to mount and connect a component in the field; small per-module savings can become big on a full roof.

Inverter capacity is the maximum amount of AC power an inverter can deliver under its rated operating conditions.

Inverter clipping happens when total available DC power exceeds the AC output capacity of the inverter.

Inverter compatibility means the selected modules, electronics, inverter, and code-compliance equipment are approved to operate together.

Inverter nameplate capacity is the rated output power listed for an inverter, typically expressed in watts or kilowatts AC.

Inverter Power Output Control (IPOC) is a function that limits or controls inverter output power to meet interconnection, export, utility, or site design requirements.

An inverter rating is the specified power, voltage, current, or operating limit for an inverter, often used to determine system compatibility and output capacity.