A photovoltaic system (informally a PV system) is an arrangement of components designed to supply usable electric power for a variety of purposes, using the Sun as the power source. Solar PV’s total global capacity increased during 2010-2013 from 40 GW to 139 GW. In 2013 Germany had the most capacity (36 GW).

A solar panel is a set of solar photo voltaic modules electrically connected and mounted on a supporting structure. A photo voltaic module is a packaged, connected assembly of solar cells. The solar panel can be used as a component of a larger photo voltaic system to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential applications.