Ready to elevate your renewable energy expertise? Dive into our Photovoltaic Test Quiz: Free Solar PV Knowledge Challenge and put your solar smarts to work! This engaging photovoltaic quiz covers PV system questions, solar PV test fundamentals, and real-world solar panel quiz scenarios - covering efficiency metrics, troubleshooting, maintenance tips, and grid integration fundamentals. Along the way, tackle solar energy questions and brush up on solar system questions for a broader renewable energy perspective. Whether you're a solar professional or curious about sustainable tech, this photovoltaic test lets you learn, challenge yourself, and boost your confidence. Take the quiz now and power up your skill set!
What does "PV" in solar technology stand for?
Photo Volta
Photovoltaic
Photo-Volatile
Photoelectric Variable
PV stands for photovoltaic, which directly relates to converting photons into electrical energy. The term photovoltaic combines "photo" (light) and "voltaic" (voltage). PV modules generate electricity when exposed to sunlight via the photovoltaic effect. For more details, see Wikipedia.
The photovoltaic effect describes the process of:
Converting heat into electricity
Converting chemical energy into electricity
Converting mechanical energy into electricity
Converting light into electricity
The photovoltaic effect is the process by which photons striking a semiconductor material excite electrons, creating electric current. This direct light-to-electricity conversion underpins PV technology. Understanding this effect is essential for designing efficient solar cells. More information at Energy.gov.
Which semiconductor material is most commonly used in commercial PV cells?
Cadmium telluride
Gallium arsenide
Silicon
Copper indium gallium selenide
Silicon is the dominant semiconductor in commercial PV cells due to its abundance, stability, and well-developed manufacturing processes. While other materials offer niche advantages, silicon balances cost and performance. Research continues into alternative materials, but silicon remains top. See NREL.
Under Standard Test Conditions (STC), the irradiance used to rate PV modules is:
1000 W/m²
800 W/m²
1200 W/m²
600 W/m²
STC specifies an irradiance of 1000 W/m² at a cell temperature of 25°C with an AM1.5 spectrum. This standard ensures consistent performance comparisons. Deviations in irradiance or spectrum require corrections. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the unit of power rating for a PV module?
Volts
Watts per square meter
Amperes
Watts
PV module power is rated in watts (W), indicating the electrical power the panel produces under STC. Voltage (V) and current (A) describe its electrical characteristics, while W/m² describes irradiance. Accurate ratings ensure proper system design. Reference: Wikipedia.
Which device in a PV system converts direct current (DC) from panels into alternating current (AC) for the grid?
Inverter
Rectifier
Transformer
Regulator
Inverters convert the DC output of PV panels into AC power compatible with the electrical grid. Transformers adjust voltage but don't change DC to AC. Rectifiers perform AC to DC conversion. Efficient inverter design is crucial for grid stability. See Wikipedia.
In the Northern Hemisphere, PV panels should ideally face which direction for maximum solar exposure?
South
North
West
East
Panels facing true south in the Northern Hemisphere receive the most consistent sun exposure over the year, maximizing energy yield. East or west orientations can be used for specific peak-shaving strategies but yield less annually. Local shading and tilt also matter. More at EnergySage.
What is a typical efficiency range for commercial silicon PV modules?
25 - 30%
5 - 10%
15 - 22%
10 - 15%
Most commercial silicon modules operate in the 15% - 22% efficiency range, balancing cost and performance. Laboratory records exceed 26% but are not yet common in mass production. Efficiency varies by technology and manufacturer. See NREL.
How does increasing cell temperature generally affect PV module efficiency?
It causes random fluctuations
It increases efficiency
It decreases efficiency
It has no effect
Higher temperatures reduce the voltage output of PV cells, lowering overall efficiency. Typically, every degree above 25°C reduces power by about 0.3% - 0.5%. Designers use ventilation and material choices to mitigate heat. More info at EPIA.
What does the fill factor (FF) of a PV cell represent?
The ratio of open-circuit voltage to short-circuit current
The maximum power point as a ratio of Voc × Isc
The temperature coefficient of power
The ratio of cell area to module area
Fill factor is defined as (Vmp × Imp) / (Voc × Isc) and indicates the 'squareness' of the I - V curve. A higher FF means the cell operates closer to its theoretical maximum power. It's a key metric for comparing cell quality. See Wikipedia.
MPPT in solar PV stands for:
Minimum Power Production Timing
Maximum Photovoltaic Power Tracking
Multi-Phase Phase Tuner
Maximum Power Point Tracking
MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking, a technique used in inverters and charge controllers to continuously adjust load conditions so that the PV array operates at its peak power output. MPPT increases energy harvest under varying conditions. More at Solar-Electric.
Bifacial PV modules can capture additional energy from:
Albedo reflected light from the rear side
Direct sunlight only
Wind-driven particles
Thermal radiation
Bifacial modules produce power from both their front and rear surfaces. Rear-side generation comes from albedo, the reflected sunlight off the ground. Ground surface reflectivity strongly influences rear output. Details at NREL.
Connecting PV modules in series increases:
Power output without change in voltage
Current output
Voltage output
Module temperature
When modules are connected in series, their voltages add while the current remains that of a single module. Conversely, parallel connections increase current. System voltage must match inverter or converter requirements. Read more at Solar Power World.
On the current-voltage (I - V) curve of a PV cell, the current at zero volts is known as:
Fill current
Short-circuit current
Open-circuit voltage
Maximum power current
Short-circuit current (Isc) is the current measured at zero voltage when the cell terminals are shorted. It represents the maximum current the cell can deliver under given irradiance. Open-circuit voltage (Voc) is opposite, measured at zero current. For details, see Wikipedia.
Partial shading on a PV module most commonly leads to:
Hot spots and potential cell damage
Improved module balance
Increased power output
No significant effect
Shaded cells can become reverse biased under load, dissipating energy as heat and creating hot spots, which can damage the module. Bypass diodes help but do not eliminate all effects. System design must avoid shading for reliability. See PV Education.
Light-induced degradation (LID) in crystalline silicon PV modules primarily results from the formation of:
Iron precipitates
Boron-oxygen complexes
Phosphorus-silicon bonds
Carbon clusters
LID is caused by boron-oxygen defect complexes forming under illumination in p-type silicon. These complexes trap carriers and reduce the cell's performance by a few percent shortly after exposure to light. Modules typically stabilize after the initial degradation period. More in the NREL report: NREL.
What key feature differentiates PERC solar cells from standard silicon cells?
Embedded anti-reflective nanostructures
Rear passivation layer to reflect unused photons
Increased series resistance
Thicker front metallization grids
PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology includes a dielectric passivation layer on the rear side of the cell. This layer reduces recombination and reflects unabsorbed light back into the silicon, boosting efficiency. PERC is a widely adopted cell improvement. See Energy.gov.
An anti-reflective coating on a PV cell primarily functions to:
Provide mechanical protection
Increase cell operating temperature
Reduce reflection losses and allow more light absorption
Serve as an electrical conductor
Anti-reflective coatings reduce surface reflection so that a greater portion of incoming light enters the cell. Typical coatings include silicon nitride or titanium dioxide. By minimizing reflection losses, they increase the photocurrent and overall efficiency. More at PV Education.
Spectral mismatch in PV testing refers to:
Difference between the test light spectrum and standard reference spectrum
Variation in spectral response across modules in series
Misalignment of inverter thresholds
Mismatch between panel current and voltage
Spectral mismatch occurs when the spectrum of the light source used in testing differs from the reference AM1.5G spectrum, affecting measured performance. Test labs apply correction factors to account for this mismatch. Accurate spectral matching ensures reliable ratings. See NREL.
A DC - DC converter in a PV system is primarily used to:
Provide lightning protection
Transform DC to AC for the grid
Step voltage up or down to optimize MPPT input
Filter out harmonics
DC - DC converters adjust the PV string voltage and current to track the maximum power point and match inverter/input requirements. They step voltage up or down for optimal efficiency. Module-level power electronics often use DC - DC converters. Reference: SolarEdge.
The temperature coefficient of power for a PV module indicates:
The rate of voltage variation under load
The relationship between irradiance and current
The degradation rate over time
The rate of power change per degree Celsius of cell temperature
The temperature coefficient (usually in %/°C) quantifies how a module's power output decreases as its temperature rises above 25°C. A typical silicon module has about - 0.4%/°C. Lower absolute coefficients are beneficial in hot climates. More details at PV Education.
Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) in PV projects is used to:
Calculate the average lifetime cost per kWh of electricity produced
Compare inverter efficiencies
Measure only the initial installation cost
Estimate module temperature rise
LCOE sums all project costs (capital, O&M, financing) over its lifetime and divides by total electricity generated, yielding a cost-per-kWh metric. It's widely used to compare economic viability across energy technologies. Lower LCOE indicates more cost-effective systems. Source: Lazard.
What is the primary purpose of bypass diodes in PV modules?
Balance current between strings
Increase module voltage
Protect cells from reverse bias and reduce hot spots under partial shading
Enhance light absorption
Bypass diodes allow current to bypass shaded or damaged cells, preventing them from becoming reverse-biased and overheating - known as hot spots. This protection maintains string performance and extends module lifespan. Correct diode placement is crucial in design. Learn more at PV Education.
Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems differ from flat-plate PV in that they:
Use tracking and optical systems to focus sunlight onto high-efficiency cells
Have no need for cooling systems
Produce AC directly without an inverter
Use thin-film panels exclusively
CPV systems use lenses or mirrors and dual-axis trackers to concentrate sunlight onto a small, high-efficiency cell area, reducing cell material usage. Concentration ratios can reach over 500×, requiring precise optical alignment and cooling. They differ fundamentally from static flat-plate designs. See Wikipedia.
Compared to monocrystalline silicon modules, thin-film PV modules typically exhibit:
Higher temperature coefficients
Higher efficiency under low-light only
Lower temperature coefficients, meaning better performance in heat
Zero degradation over time
Thin-film technologies such as CdTe and CIGS generally have less negative temperature coefficients than crystalline silicon, so their performance drops less as temperature rises. They can also perform better in diffuse light conditions. However, they often have lower nominal efficiencies. More at NREL.
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Study Outcomes
Understand Photovoltaic Fundamentals -
By completing this photovoltaic test, you will grasp key solar PV principles, including light-to-electricity conversion and PV cell operation.
Analyze Solar Panel Performance -
Use the photovoltaic quiz to interpret I - V curves, efficiency metrics, and environmental factors influencing PV output.
Identify PV System Components -
Recognize essential elements of solar PV systems, such as modules, inverters, mounting hardware, and wiring layouts.
Apply Troubleshooting Techniques -
Leverage PV system questions to practice diagnosing common faults and optimizing the performance of solar panel installations.
Evaluate Your Solar PV Knowledge -
Assess your quiz results to pinpoint strengths and uncover areas for further learning in solar panel technology.
Cheat Sheet
Photovoltaic Efficiency Calculations -
Efficiency (η) is the ratio of a module's maximum power output to incident solar energy under STC (1000 W/m², 25 °C) and is given by η = (Pmax / (E × Area)) × 100. For example, a 300 W panel with 1.6 m² area has η = 300 / (1000 × 1.6) × 100 ≈ 18.75%. According to NREL, understanding this formula is key for comparing different panels.
I-V and P-V Curve Essentials -
The I - V curve shows current vs. voltage behavior, highlighting Isc (short”circuit current at V=0), Voc (open-circuit voltage at I=0) and the knee at MPP (maximum power point). Power is the product V×I, so the P - V curve peaks at (Vmpp, Impp). Mastering these curves, as outlined by IEC 61836, helps you pinpoint MPP for optimal performance.
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) -
MPPT algorithms (e.g., perturb & observe or incremental conductance) continuously adjust operating voltage to maximize output power. In a simple P&O method, you increment voltage and compare output power: if it rises, continue in that direction; if it falls, reverse. This principle, widely used in solar inverters, ensures arrays operate at peak efficiency.
Temperature Coefficient Effects -
Module voltage drops (~ - 0.3%/°C) while current slightly rises (~+0.05%/°C), yielding a net power coefficient around - 0.45%/°C. A handy mnemonic is "Voltage Visibly Drops In Summer Heat" to recall Voc reduction. Referencing datasheets from IEC-certified manufacturers helps you quantify performance losses on hot days.
PV System Sizing Basics -
Estimate daily energy need (kWh/day) and divide by local peak sun hours (PSH) to find required array capacity: Array (kW) = Energy / PSH. For instance, 20 kWh/day ÷ 5 h = 4 kW, so using 300 W panels requires about 14 modules. This method, supported by university extension programs, ensures your solar PV system meets actual demand.
