Energy Glossary
Definitions of energy terms, abbreviations, and technical concepts explained in plain language.
D
DSO (Distribution System Operator)
The entity that operates the low- and medium-voltage distribution network — the wires that reach your home. In Cyprus the role sits within EAC, with regulatory unbundling under EU Directive 2019/944. When you install solar, the connection application is filed with the DSO.
I
Inverter
The device that converts the DC current from the panels into AC current usable by your home. Two main types: **string** (cheaper, no battery support) and **hybrid** (manages PV + battery + grid, more expensive but more flexible). Under the 2026 self-consumption framework, the hybrid is almost always the right call. ---
K
kWh (kilowatt-hour)
The **energy unit** EAC bills you in. 1 kWh = 1 kW of power running for 1 hour. Example: a 1 kW air-conditioner running for 3 hours uses 3 kWh. ---
kWp (kilowatt-peak)
The **nameplate rating** of a solar PV system under Standard Test Conditions (STC: 1,000 W/m² irradiance, 25°C, AM 1.5). It's not what your system actually produces — real yields are always lower due to temperature, shading, soiling, etc. In Cyprus, 1 kWp typically generates **1,700–1,800 kWh per year**. ---
P
Prosumer
An electricity consumer who is also a producer — typically via rooftop solar. The term is formally recognised in EU Directive 2018/2001 on renewables, and the rights of prosumers (grid access, payment for exports, etc.) are protected by national and EU law. ---
S
Self-consumption
The **share of solar PV generation you consume directly** without exporting to the grid. Under Cyprus's 2026 regulatory framework, self-consumption is the primary value lever (rather than export). Without a battery, a typical Cypriot home self-consumes 30–45%; with a battery, 65–85%. ---