Glossary

Complete glossary of 43 technical terms used in metal fabrication, PV mounting structures, biomass heating and SolBox. Terms are presented as questions and answers for easy search and reference.

Question Index (A–Z)

A. Biomass Heating

What is a wood pellet? +
A wood pellet is a small cylindrical granule of compressed wood (typically 6 mm in diameter, 10-40 mm long) used as fuel in pellet boilers. Pellets are produced from sawdust and wood flour under high pressure without additives. Their quality is classified as ENplus A1, A2 or B — with A1 being the highest grade.
What is a biomass boiler? +
A biomass boiler is a central-heating boiler that burns biomass (pellets, wood, biochar) to produce hot water. Modern biomass boilers meet the EN 303-5 Class 5 standard, with 90-95% efficiency and very low CO/dust emissions. Axinar manufactures biomass boilers in Thessaloniki — PELIT, CALOS, PelletWork and BM series.
What is a wood boiler? +
A wood boiler burns cut firewood (splits) or wood chunks. Loading is manual, typically every 6-12 hours depending on capacity and demand. Premium Axinar BM-series wood boilers feature a lambda sensor for combustion optimization and higher efficiency.
What is the EN 303-5 standard? +
EN 303-5 is the European standard for solid-fuel boilers up to 500 kW. It classifies boilers into 5 classes (1-5) based on efficiency and emissions. Class 5 is the highest, requiring ≥ 90% efficiency and CO emissions ≤ 500 mg/m³. All Axinar biomass boilers meet EN 303-5 Class 5.
What is ENplus pellet certification? +
ENplus is the European wood-pellet quality certification. It has three grades: A1 (highest), A2 and B. ENplus A1 requires moisture < 10%, ash < 0.7%, calorific value > 4.6 kWh/kg. It is managed by the European Pellet Council.
What is the calorific value of a fuel? +
Calorific value is the energy released by fully burning 1 kg (or 1 L) of fuel, measured in kWh/kg or MJ/kg. Reference values: wood pellet 4.7 kWh/kg, dry firewood 3.9-4.2 kWh/kg, heating oil 10 kWh/L, natural gas 10.5 kWh/m³.
What is a pellet burner? +
A pellet burner is a component that attaches to the boiler (or is integrated) and controls pellet feeding and combustion. It includes a feed screw, automatic ignition, blower and temperature sensors. In Axinar’s PelletWork series the burner is fully integrated (all-in-one).
What is a lambda sensor in a biomass boiler? +
A lambda sensor (or oxygen sensor) is a flue-gas O₂ sensor. It allows the burner to adjust the fuel/air ratio in real time, improving efficiency by 15-25% and reducing CO emissions. Premium Axinar BM_e series boilers include a lambda sensor.
What is a buffer tank (thermal storage)? +
A buffer tank is a hot-water tank that stores heat from the boiler for on-demand use. It lets the boiler run at peak efficiency and reduces start-stop cycles that hurt efficiency and lifespan. Common capacities: 120L, 200L, 300L, 500L, 1000L.
What is the Greek "Exoikonomo" subsidy programme? +
Exoikonomo is the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy subsidy programme for residential energy upgrades. It covers replacement of old oil/gas boilers with biomass boilers or heat pumps. Subsidy rate is 50-90% depending on income bracket.

B. Photovoltaic & SolBox

What is MPPT? +
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) is an algorithm and electronic technology that dynamically adjusts the output voltage and current of PV panels to maximize power production. Common algorithms: Perturb & Observe (P&O), Incremental Conductance, Fuzzy Logic. Axinar’s SolBox uses P&O.
What is DC (Direct Current)? +
DC (Direct Current) is electrical current with constant polarity and voltage. PV panels produce DC. Axinar’s SolBox uses DC directly to feed the water heater resistance, without conversion to AC via inverter.
What is an inverter? +
An inverter is an electronic device that converts DC from PV panels to AC 220V/50Hz, compatible with the electrical grid. It’s required for net metering, on-grid installations and household appliances. The SolBox does not need an inverter because it operates directly on DC.
What is a string in photovoltaics? +
A string is a series of PV panels connected in series or parallel to yield a specific output voltage. A single SolBox supports up to 6 panels per string with a total DC voltage of ~70V.
What is a bifacial panel? +
A bifacial panel is a PV panel with active cells on both sides. It can generate an additional 5-30% energy from ground-reflected light (albedo). Ideal for open installations like agrivoltaics, ground-mounted parks and solar carports.
What is an off-grid system? +
Off-grid describes a PV system that is not connected to the electrical grid. It requires no installation permit, no net-metering declaration, no paperwork. Axinar’s SolBox is a fully off-grid system.
What is net metering? +
Net metering is an accounting system where the on-grid PV producer offsets their production against their consumption on an annual basis, paying only the difference. It requires a grid connection and a bi-directional meter.
What is SolBox? +
SolBox is an Axinar DC MPPT electronic controller that feeds power directly from PV panels into a water heater resistance. It runs stand-alone — no inverter, no grid connection, no permits. See SolBox technical specifications or the SolBox Configurator.
What is a solar carport? +
A solar carport is a steel canopy structure (typically 6×4 or 6×8 meters) with PV panels as the roof. It shelters vehicles + generates electricity. Axinar solar carports use S420GD steel with Magnelis coating.
What is East-West agrivoltaics? +
East-West agrivoltaics is a PV installation with dual east/west orientation over agricultural crops. It enables simultaneous energy generation and farming, with better shading distribution throughout the day. See Axinar mounting systems.

C. Photovoltaic Mounting Systems

What is Magnelis coating? +
Magnelis is a zinc-aluminium-magnesium steel coating (ZM120, ZM430, ZM620) by ArcelorMittal. It provides 3 to 10 times better corrosion resistance than standard hot-dip galvanizing. Used on all Axinar PV mounting structures to maximize service life.
What is Eurocode 1 (EN 1991)? +
Eurocode 1 (EN 1991) is the European standard for calculating actions on structures. EN 1991-1-4 covers wind loads, EN 1991-1-3 snow loads. Every Axinar PV mounting structure is engineered per these calculations for the specific local zone.
What is Eurocode 7 (EN 1997)? +
Eurocode 7 (EN 1997) is the European standard for geotechnical design, including foundations, piles and supports. It defines the calculation methodology for ground-mounted PV installations like the Axinar Terrasol 1V/2V.
What is the French NF P 94-262 standard? +
NF P 94-262 is the French national standard for pile design. Axinar uses it on French projects (Geruge/Jura, Ronchamp, Brou) alongside Eurocode 7 for more complete geotechnical calculations.
What is Axisol Roolf? +
Axisol Roolf is Axinar’s rooftop PV mounting system. Compatible with metal and tile roofs. Made from aluminium with Magnelis coating. Provides plug-and-play installation without drilling the roof.
What is Terrasol 1V / 2V? +
Terrasol is Axinar’s ground-mounted PV structure series. The 1V (single-post) uses a single pile, the 2V (dual-post) a twin pile. Wind resistance up to 120 km/h, snow-load compliant with EN 1991.
What is the IEC 61215 standard? +
IEC 61215 is the international IEC standard for reliability testing of crystalline PV modules. It covers hail impact, mechanical load, hot-spot, damp heat and thermal cycling. All modules Axinar uses meet IEC 61215.

D. Metal Fabrication & OEM

What is a fiber laser? +
A fiber laser is a solid-state laser using an optical fiber doped with erbium or ytterbium as the gain medium. Provides high beam quality, 30-40% energy efficiency and low maintenance. Axinar operates 3 fiber lasers up to 12 kW for sheet-metal cutting up to 40 mm.
What is a press brake? +
A press brake is a hydraulic or electromechanical CNC machine for bending sheet metal. Axinar’s press brakes use Delem 7-axis CNC controllers for ±0.05 mm accuracy on sheets up to 10 mm thick.
What is press-brake bending? +
Press-brake bending is the process of bending sheet metal at an angle using a press brake. Axinar’s bending capacity reaches 3 meters with CNC precision. Used in OEM metal fabrication, PV mounting structures and custom parts.
What is Delem? +
Delem is a Dutch manufacturer of CNC controllers for press brakes. Axinar is Delem Official Service Center for Greece — the only officially certified service centre providing technical support, repairs and spare parts.
What does CNC mean? +
CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control — metalworking via computer-controlled machines (mills, lathes, lasers, press brakes). It enables ±0.01 mm repeatability and serial production without manual adjustment. Axinar offers CNC OEM services.
What is MIG welding? +
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding uses a wire electrode and shielding gas (Ar, He, CO₂). It’s a fast method for medium-to-thick sheet metal (2-15 mm), ideal for high-volume metal fabrication.
What is TIG welding? +
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding uses a tungsten electrode and shielding gas (typically Ar). Provides the highest weld quality for stainless steels, aluminium and thin sheets. Slower but more precise than MIG.
What is MMA welding? +
MMA (Manual Metal Arc / SMAW) welding uses a coated electrode (consumable wire with flux coating). Simple and portable — primarily used for maintenance and on-site installations.
What is hot-dip galvanizing? +
Hot-dip galvanizing is the process of immersing metal parts in molten zinc (450°C) to provide 25-50+ years of corrosion resistance. It meets the EN ISO 1461 standard. Axinar operates a certified hot-dip galvanizing line.
What is powder coating? +
Powder coating is the process of applying coloured powder onto a metal surface using an electrostatic charge and heat (200°C). It provides a durable, uniform coating. Axinar’s powder coating line is Qualicoat certified.

E. Certifications

What is the ISO 9001:2015 standard? +
ISO 9001:2015 is the international Quality Management System (QMS) standard. It requires process documentation, outcome measurement and continuous improvement. Axinar is certified to ISO 9001:2015 by an independent body.
What is the ISO 14001:2015 standard? +
ISO 14001:2015 is the international Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. It requires environmental footprint measurement, waste management and energy efficiency. Axinar is certified to ISO 14001:2015.
What is Qualicoat certification? +
Qualicoat is the European certification for metal powder-coating lines. It requires adhesion, resistance and corrosion-protection testing. Axinar’s powder coating line is Qualicoat Certified.
What is the EN ISO 1461 standard? +
EN ISO 1461 is the European standard for hot-dip galvanized coatings. It specifies minimum coating thickness (typically 45-85 μm depending on steel thickness) and quality-control tests. Axinar’s galvanizing line meets EN ISO 1461.
What is CE Marking? +
CE (Conformité Européenne) Marking is a declaration of conformity with relevant EU directives. It’s mandatory for trade within the EU in specific product categories. All Axinar products carry CE marking.
What is ELEABIOM? +
ELEABIOM is the Hellenic Biomass Association. It represents biomass-industry stakeholders — pellet producers, boiler manufacturers, installers and researchers. Axinar is an active member.

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