Every EPC term, explained in plain words

From site operations to finance to compliance, this is where every EPC department can look up a term, understand it, and get back to work smarter.

A

ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers)

A government-maintained list of solar module and cell manufacturers whose products are eligible for use in subsidized or government-linked solar projects.

B

BOS (Balance of System)

Every solar installation component other than the panels themselves — inverters, wiring, mounting structures, and switchgear.

C

Commissioning

The final testing and verification phase that confirms an installed system performs to its design specifications before handoff.

D

DISCOM (Distribution Company)

The regional utility responsible for distributing electricity and approving grid-tied solar connections.

E

Earthing System

The network of conductors that safely routes fault current into the ground, protecting people and equipment.

EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction)

A contract model where a single firm handles a project's design, sourcing of materials, and physical construction end-to-end.

G

Grid Synchronization

The process of matching a solar inverter's output frequency and phase to the utility grid before connecting to it.

I

Inverter

The device that converts the direct current (DC) generated by solar panels into the alternating current (AC) used by the grid and appliances.

K

Kilowatt-Peak (kWp)

The maximum power output a solar installation can produce under standard test conditions, used to rate system size.

M

Module Mismatch Loss

The small drop in total output that occurs when solar panels in the same string have slightly different performance characteristics.

N

Net Metering

A billing arrangement where excess solar power sent to the grid earns credits that offset electricity drawn back later.

O

O&M (Operations & Maintenance)

The ongoing contract covering a solar plant's routine monitoring, cleaning, and repair after commissioning.

P

PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)

A long-term contract where a buyer agrees to purchase electricity generated by a solar asset at a pre-set rate.

R

Rooftop Solar

A solar power system installed directly on a building's roof, typically sized for the property's own consumption.

S

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)

A remote monitoring system that lets operators track and control a solar plant's performance in real time.

T

Tariff Rate

The per-unit price at which electricity is bought or sold, whether from the grid or under a power purchase agreement.

U

Utility Interconnection

The formal process and agreement required to physically connect a solar system to the public electricity grid.

V

Vendor Empanelment

The formal process of vetting and approving a supplier or contractor to be eligible for a company's or government's project tenders.

W

Warranty Period

The manufacturer-backed timeframe during which a product, like a panel or inverter, is covered for defects or performance shortfalls.

Y

Yield (Energy Yield)

The actual amount of energy a solar system produces over a given period, often compared against its theoretical potential.

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