Helioelectricity is the formal, though less commonly used, term for solar power. It covers both the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells and the indirect generation using concentrated solar thermal systems to drive steam turbines. The term is mostly found in older academic literature or specific technical patents, while the industry standard has shifted almost entirely to solar power or PV.
Heard on the job
The textbook from the engineering library has an entire chapter dedicated to the early development of helioelectricity.
Also heard as
- solar power
- photovoltaics