This jargon-buster comes courtesy of our BCL and Chamber member Indigo Swann to help you make sense of sustainability.
| Word or Phrase | Definition |
| EV | This is a shortened abbreviation for an Electric Vehicle. |
| PV | When related to solar panels, this means photovoltaic, the panels consist of small photovoltaic cells that are connected. |
| PPA | Power Purchase Agreement – An upfront contractual agreement allowing you to sell your excess energy back to the grid. |
| REGO | Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin – It tells you that the energy generated has come from a UK renewable source. |
| AC | Alternating Current – A type of electrical current whose direction is reversed at regular cycles. |
| Array | This is an interconnected system of PV modules that function as one single unit that produces electricity. |
| Biodegradable | This refers to an object which is capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms. |
| Base load | The average amount of electric power that a utility must supply in any period. |
| Carbon Footprint | This refers to the emissions of greenhouse gasses from either an individual or organisation. |
| Carbon Neutral | If an organisation is carbon neutral, this means it achieves net-zero emissions, meaning that the amount of carbon they produce is offset by removing carbon emissions elsewhere. |
| Inverter | Converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). |
| DC | Direct Current – A type of electricity transmission and distribution by which electricity flows in one direction through a conductor. |
| Geothermal | This is energy that comes from heat that is stored deep in the Earth. |
| Net Zero | This refers to achieving an overall balance between emissions produced and taken out of the atmosphere. |
| Sustainable | This relates to the idea of our current processes or practices meeting our needs without jeopardising future generation’s ability to meet their needs. |
| Upcycling | The process of creating something new from something that would have otherwise been thrown away. |
| Distributed Energy | Distributed Energy (DE) is a platform that connects renewable projects with funders. |
| Renewable Energy | Energy that is collected from renewable sources such as sunlight, wind, rain. |
| GHG | Green House Gas – A greenhouse gas is a gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy causing the greenhouse effect. |
| Radiant Energy | The energy of electromagnetic and gravitational radiation. |
| Scope 1 Emissions | Direct emissions from the combustion of fuel in assets that a company operates, such as fuel emissions from company-owned cars, diesel generators, gas boilers, and air-conditioning leaks. |
| Scope 2 Emissions | Indirect emissions from the generation of energy purchased from a utility provider, such as heating, cooling, steam, and electricity. |
| Scope 3 Emissions | All indirect greenhouse gas emissions that do not fall under scope 2 – upstream and downstream. This calculator includes upstream emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, upstream transport and distribution, and business travel, calculated from your expenses. |
