A non-organic variable within the ecosystem, affecting the life of organisms.

Factors include temperature, light, and soil structure and can include harmful elements to the environment; such as, when sulfur dioxide emissions from power stations produce acid rain.

1. An organic variable affecting an ecosystem; for example, the changing population of elephants and its effect on the African savanna.
2. A factor created by a living thing or any living component within an environment in which the action of the organism affects the life of another organism; for example, a predator consuming its prey or in a quail’s environment, the biotic factors include the living elements of the environment; such as, the quail’s prey: insects, seeds, etc.; and the quail’s predators: the coyotes.

The ratio of the average load on (or power output of) an electricity generating unit or system to the capacity rating of the unit or system over a specified period of time.

A number representing the time in hours during which a battery can be charged at a constant current without damage to the battery.

Usually expressed in relation to the total battery capacity; for example, C/5 indicates a charge factor of 5 hours. Related to charge rate.

A number equivalent to the time in hours during which a battery is discharged at constant current usually expressed as a percentage of the total battery capacity; for example, C/5 indicates a discharge factor of 5 hours. Related to discharge rate.

The ratio of a photovoltaic cell's actual power to its power if both current and voltage were at their maxima.

This is a key characteristic in evaluating cell performance.

A measure of the intensity of wind bursts: A gustiness factor is expressed as a ratio of the total range of wind speeds between gusts and intermediate periods of lighter wind to the overall level of windspeed, which is averaged with both gusts and lulls.

A factor that lowers the photovoltaic module current to account for field operating conditions such as dirt accumulation on the module.

The ratio of array area to actual land area or building envelope area for a system; or, the ratio of total solar cell area to the total module area, for a module.

The ratio of actual power being used in a circuit, expressed in watts or kilowatts, to the power that is apparently being drawn from a power source, expressed in volt-amperes or kilovolt-amperes.

Something that makes a person more likely to get a particular disease or some other undesirable physical condition: Old age is one of the risk factors for fracturing bones; among other problems.