Gridly
Home Electrification Glossary
75 terms covering solar, batteries, EVs, and energy in Australia. No jargon left unexplained.
Charging an EV from a standard AC power source - either a domestic outlet or a dedicated wallbox. The car's on-board charger converts AC to DC. Speed is limited by the OBC, typically 7.4–22 kW.
The independent body that operates the National Electricity Market and gas markets. AEMO dispatches generators, manages grid security, publishes forecasts and data, and increasingly coordinates distributed energy resources like rooftop solar and batteries.
The electrochemical composition of battery cells - primarily lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) for home storage. LFP dominates residential storage due to superior cycle life and thermal safety. NMC offers higher energy density.
The electronics that monitor and control every aspect of an EV or home battery pack - including cell voltage, temperature, state of charge, and charging limits. The BMS is what keeps batteries safe.
The ability of a battery storage system to supply power to the home when the grid goes down. Also called backup power or EPS (Emergency Power Supply). Not all battery systems include blackout protection, and those that do vary in how quickly they switch and what loads they support.
A measure of how fast a battery charges or discharges relative to its capacity. A 1C rate fully charges or discharges the battery in one hour. 0.5C takes two hours; 2C takes 30 minutes. Higher C-rates generate more heat and increase wear.
Combined Charging System Type 2 - the standard DC fast-charging connector used in Australia and Europe. Two additional DC pins below a standard Type 2 AC socket.
An older DC fast-charging standard originally developed by Japanese manufacturers. Largely superseded by CCS2 in Australia, but still found on older Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV models.
Australia's peak body for the clean energy industry. CEC accreditation of solar installers and product approval of panels, inverters, and batteries is required to access government rebates including STCs.
A separately metered electricity tariff - typically 8–15¢/kWh - that only supplies power during off-peak periods (usually overnight). Used almost exclusively for electric hot water systems. Controlled load 1 typically runs overnight; controlled load 2 runs during longer off-peak windows.
The deliberate reduction of a solar (or wind) generator's output below its maximum potential - either because the grid can't absorb more power, or because on-site limits (export cap, zero export) restrict how much can be sent out. Curtailed generation is energy produced but not used.
The number of full charge-discharge cycles a battery can complete before its capacity degrades to a specified threshold - typically 70–80% of original. LFP home batteries commonly warrant 6,000–10,000 cycles.
High-speed EV charging that bypasses the car's on-board charger by delivering DC power directly to the battery. Speed ranges from 25 kW to 350 kW depending on charger and vehicle.
The annual decline in a solar panel's output over time. Standard silicon panels degrade at roughly 0.5% per year - a 25-year-old panel typically produces about 85–88% of its original output.
A component of some commercial electricity tariffs charged based on peak power demand (kW) rather than total energy used (kWh). A business that briefly draws 50 kW at any point in a billing period pays for that 50 kW peak, even if average load is much lower.
The percentage of a battery's total capacity that has been used. A battery discharged to 80% DoD has 20% charge remaining. Manufacturers specify cycle life at a particular DoD - exceeding it consistently shortens battery life.
The removal of Fringe Benefits Tax on electric vehicles under the luxury car tax threshold when provided through a novated lease or employer arrangement. Saves employees thousands per year in tax.
The rate your electricity retailer pays for solar power you export to the grid. Currently 4–10¢/kWh in most Australian states - far lower than the 44–68¢ early adopter rates from 2009–2012.
An electricity pricing structure where the same rate per kWh applies regardless of when you use electricity. Common across Australia for standard residential connections. Simpler to understand than time-of-use tariffs but offers no financial incentive for demand shifting.
Grid services that maintain electricity frequency at 50 Hz in Australia's National Electricity Market. Batteries can provide FCAS by responding within seconds to frequency deviations - a key revenue stream for grid-scale and aggregated home battery systems.
A personal loan with a reduced interest rate for environmentally beneficial purchases - solar panels, battery storage, EVs, and home efficiency upgrades. Offered by several Australian banks and credit unions, typically at 1–3% below standard personal loan rates.
An inverter capable of establishing its own voltage and frequency reference, rather than synchronising to the existing grid. Grid-forming inverters can operate during a blackout and support grid stability. Conventional inverters are "grid-following" and shut down when grid power is lost.
Large battery energy storage systems (BESS) connected directly to the transmission or distribution network - measured in megawatts and megawatt-hours rather than kilowatts. Provides frequency control, energy arbitrage, and firming for renewable generation at utility scale.
An Australian tax measure allowing eligible small businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of eligible assets - including solar panels, battery systems, and EV chargers - in the year of purchase rather than depreciating over time. Thresholds and eligibility conditions change annually.
The condition where a solar or battery system continues generating power for a local section of the grid ("island") after the main grid has disconnected. Unintentional islanding is a safety hazard for linesmen. Intentional islanding - controlled off-grid operation - is the basis for battery backup systems.
The unit of power used to measure charging speed and solar system output. Higher kW means faster charging - a 22 kW AC charger charges roughly 3× faster than a 7 kW home wallbox.
The rated output of a solar panel or system under standard test conditions - 1,000 W/m² irradiance at 25°C. The standard unit for comparing solar system sizes.
The standard unit of energy used to measure EV battery capacity and electricity consumption. A 77 kWh battery stores roughly the same energy as 6.7 litres of petrol.
The average cost per kWh generated over a system's lifetime, accounting for upfront cost, ongoing maintenance, and total energy output. LCOE enables comparison between different generation technologies on a like-for-like basis. Solar LCOE in Australia is now well below retail electricity rates.
A federal tax on new vehicles over a price threshold - currently $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles including EVs. Vehicles above this price don't qualify for the FBT exemption on novated leases.
The algorithm used by solar inverters to continuously find the optimal operating voltage for maximum power output. Modern inverters use one MPPT per string - dual-MPPT inverters handle two separate roof orientations efficiently.
A small inverter mounted directly on each solar panel, converting DC to AC at the module level. Eliminates the shading weakness of string inverters but costs more. Enphase is the dominant brand in Australia.
The dominant solar cell technology - made from a single silicon crystal, producing higher efficiency (20–24%) and a uniform black appearance. Nearly all new residential panels in Australia are monocrystalline.
Australia's interconnected electricity grid covering Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. The NEM is one of the world's longest AC power systems by geographic extent. Western Australia and the NT operate separate grids.
The New European Driving Cycle - an outdated lab test used to calculate EV range and fuel economy. Replaced by WLTP. NEDC figures are consistently over-optimistic and should be discounted significantly.
A billing arrangement where solar export offsets grid import on a one-for-one kWh basis - if you export 100 kWh and import 100 kWh, you pay nothing. Net metering is common in the US but Australia uses a different system - gross metering or net billing - where export earns a separate (lower) feed-in tariff rate.
A three-way car finance arrangement between an employee, employer, and financier - letting employees use pre-tax salary to pay for a car and running costs. The FBT exemption makes EVs particularly attractive under this structure.
The time it takes for the financial savings from a solar or battery system to equal the upfront cost. A $8,000 solar system saving $1,600/year has a 5-year simple payback. Simple payback ignores the time value of money; discounted payback adjusts for this.
A NSW certificate scheme that incentivises upgrades reducing electricity demand during peak periods - including batteries, demand-response systems, and some appliances. Certificates (PRCs) are created based on peak demand reduction, not total energy saved.
The number of hours per day when solar irradiance averages 1,000 W/m² - the standard used to estimate annual solar generation. A 6.6 kW system with 4.5 peak sun hours generates roughly 29 kWh/day on average.
An older solar cell technology made from multiple silicon crystals. Lower efficiency (15–18%) and a speckled blue appearance. Largely superseded by monocrystalline in new Australian residential installations.
The collection of solar panels in a solar installation - wired together and mounted on a roof or ground frame. PV stands for photovoltaic, describing the process of converting light directly to electricity.
How far an EV actually travels on a full charge under normal driving conditions, as distinct from the manufacturer's WLTP test figure.
A system that recovers kinetic energy when slowing down and puts it back into the battery. In practice, it extends range by 10–25% in urban driving and reduces brake pad wear significantly.
The percentage of energy that comes back out of a battery relative to what was put in. A battery with 90% round-trip efficiency returns 9 kWh for every 10 kWh charged. The remaining 10% is lost as heat during conversion.
An arrangement where an employer pays for certain benefits directly from an employee's pre-tax salary, reducing the employee's taxable income. In the clean energy context, most relevant for EV novated leases and - for certain exempt employers - home energy upgrades.
The proportion of your solar generation that you use directly in your home rather than exporting. Higher self-consumption means better solar economics - consumed kWh are worth 3–8× more than exported kWh.
The standard residential power supply in most Australian homes - one active wire delivering 230V AC. Limits home EV charging to 7.4 kW maximum with a 32A wallbox.
A government-created financial instrument issued for eligible small solar, wind, and hydro installations in Australia. Each STC represents 1 MWh of expected renewable generation - and their value is paid upfront as a point-of-sale discount.
Surplus solar power that flows back through your meter into the electricity grid when your panels produce more than your home is consuming. Paid at the feed-in tariff rate.
A network-imposed cap on how much power a solar system can send back to the grid. Most Australian single-phase connections are capped at 5 kW export. This affects system sizing and the case for battery storage.
The power of sunlight hitting a surface per unit area, measured in W/m². Standard test conditions use 1,000 W/m² as the reference. Australia's solar irradiance is among the highest in the world.
The percentage of sunlight hitting a panel that gets converted to electricity. Commercial residential panels currently range from 19% to 24%. Higher efficiency means fewer panels needed for the same output.
The colloquial term for the upfront discount on residential solar systems, derived from Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. The "rebate" is technically an assignment of certificate value from the owner to the installer, applied as a point-of-sale discount.
The obstruction of sunlight reaching solar panels - from chimneys, trees, antennas, or neighbouring buildings. Even partial shading of one panel in a string can significantly reduce the whole string's output.
The percentage of usable capacity currently in an EV battery - effectively the fuel gauge. Most EVs recommend keeping daily charging between 20% and 80%.
A measure of how much usable capacity an EV battery retains compared to when it was new, expressed as a percentage. 80% SoH after 8 years is a common warranty threshold.
The most common type of solar inverter - a single unit that converts DC power from multiple panels wired in series (a "string") to AC for household use or grid export. Typically mounted on a wall near the switchboard.
A power supply using three active conductors, each delivering 230V AC offset in phase - common in commercial premises and some newer homes. Enables 11 kW or 22 kW AC EV charging.
The angle a solar panel makes relative to horizontal. The optimal tilt for annual energy yield is roughly equal to the site's latitude - about 25–34° for most Australian capital cities.
An electricity pricing structure where the rate per kWh varies by time of day - typically higher in the evening peak (4–9 pm) and cheaper overnight or at midday. TOU tariffs make battery storage more financially attractive by widening the spread between cheap and expensive periods.
The standard AC charging connector for EVs in Australia and Europe, also called Mennekes. Handles single-phase and three-phase AC charging up to 22 kW.
Bidirectional charging technology that allows an EV to export power to the electricity grid, earning revenue or reducing demand charges. Commercially available in limited form in Australia as of 2026.
Bidirectional charging that allows an EV to discharge power back into a home's electrical system - effectively using the car battery as a backup power source or energy management tool.
A feature that lets an EV power external devices or appliances directly from its traction battery via a built-in outlet. Common on Hyundai, Kia, and BYD models sold in Australia.
Victoria's certificate-based incentive scheme that subsidises energy-efficient appliances and upgrades - including heat pumps, insulation, efficient lighting, and EV chargers. Similar in structure to the federal STC scheme but covering a broader range of products and managed by the Essential Services Commission.
A network of home batteries (and sometimes EV chargers or hot water systems) aggregated and controlled by a single operator to provide grid services. Participants typically receive bill credits or payments in exchange for allowing the operator to dispatch their battery.
A dedicated home EV charging unit installed on a wall, wired to a dedicated circuit. Charges 3–4× faster than a standard power point and is the standard home charging setup for most EV owners in Australia.
The test cycle used to calculate EV range figures on new car listings in Australia. Real-world range is typically 15–25% lower.
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