Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

4th Yr 2nd Half > Alternative Power (Workbook Questions) > Flashcards

Alternative Power (Workbook Questions) Flashcards

1
Q

A photovoltaic cell or device converts sunlight to ____.

A

DC electrical energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

PV systems operating in parallel w/the electric utility system are commonly referred to as ____ systems.

A

interactive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

PV systems operating independently of other power systems are commonly referred to as ____ systems.

A

stand-alone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

While PV cells produce only ____ power, PV systems can produce ____ power.

A

DC/AC or DC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Compared to conventional power generating equipment, PV systems have relatively ____ life and require ____ maintenance.

A

long/low

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

A primary distinction between PV systems and fossil fueled power plants or engine generators is that PV systems ____.

A

convert a basic form of energy directly to electricity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are at least three limitations of PV systems?

A
  1. High Initial cost
  2. They require a relatively large area to produce a significant amount of power.
  3. lack of knowledge about solar.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the three main components of the electric utility system?

A
  1. Utility 2. Grid 3. Distribution
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Solar power is commonly expressed in unites of ____.

A

watts per square meter or kilowatt-

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Solar energy is commonly expressed in units of ____.

A

watts-hours per square meter or kilowatt-hours per square meter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The solar zenith angle is the angle between the ____.

A

sun and point in the sky directly overhead

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

The angle between the earth’s equatorial plane and line jointing the centers of the sun and the earth is called the ____.

A

solar declination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

The apparent position of the sun with respect to an observer on earth at any given time of day is defined by its ____ and ____ angles.

A

solar altitude/solar azimuth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

The orientation of PV arrays is defined by their ____ and _____ angles.

A

tilt/azimuth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

For any location, which of these surfaces receives the greatest amount of annual solar radiation?

a. horizontal
b. south facing latitude tilt
c. single-axis tracking
d. dual axis tracking

A

Dual axis tracking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Global solar irradiance is measured with a ____.

A

pyranometer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

A reference cell is essentially a ____.

A

photovoltaic device

18
Q

A shadow band pyrometer measures what?

A

diffuse radiation

19
Q

When working on low-slope roofs (pitch <= 4/12) with widths 50 feet or less, fall protection may be provided by:

A
  1. a warning line system and personal fall arrest system
  2. a warning line system and safety monitoring system
  3. the use of a safety monitoring system alone.
20
Q

At most locations, a compass does not point true north due to ____.

A

magnetic delination

21
Q

Hard shadows covering 10% of a PV array surface area can reduce output by as much as ____.

A

90%

22
Q

What is the principal purpose for using a sun path calculator during a site survey?

A

To determine the extent of shading.

23
Q

A PV system using multiple power sources (in addition to a PV array) is called a(n) ____ system.

A

hybrid

24
Q

Which of these components are used in all PV systems?

energy storage, PV array, inverter

A

PV array

25
Q

Inverters are used in PV systems to convert ____ power to ____ power.

A

DC/AC

26
Q

Most interactive-only inverters use a(n) ____ as the input power source, while stand-alone inverters use a(n) ____as the input power source.

A

Utility/PV Array

27
Q

A charge controller protects a battery from overcharge by regulating the ____ and/or ____ delivered to the battery from a PV array.

A

terminating/limiting

28
Q

What is the principal reason for using energy storage in stand-alone PV systems?

A

To contain as much extra power as possible.

29
Q

This photovoltaic effect involves the conversion of sunlight into what basic form of energy?

A

electricity

30
Q

A photovoltaic cell consists of a junction between ____.

A

P-Type and N-Type semiconductor materials

31
Q

The current output of a solar cell depends on the ____.

A

Area of the cell, temperature and irradiance, and operating voltage.

32
Q

Dividing a larger solar cell into smaller pieces has what effect on the electrical output?

A

(voltage decreases and current increase) *confirm

33
Q

What is the smallest field-installable unit in a photovoltaic system?

A

PV module

34
Q

What are three factors that decrease lead-acid battery life?

A
  1. operating temp
  2. depth of discharge
  3. materials
35
Q

List three factors that decrease the capacity of lead-acid cells.

A
  1. temperature
  2. discharge rate
  3. depth of discharge
36
Q

Most battery charge controllers employed in PV systems use battery ____ to trigger charge control functions.

A

voltage

37
Q

What are four steps in sizing stand-alone PV systems.

A
  1. battery bank
  2. load
  3. design
  4. PV array
38
Q

Compared to a PV-only stand-alone system, hybrid systems can often be sized with a smaller ____ to meet a given system load.

A

battery - PV array

39
Q

Why are larger PV modules (or panels) preferred over smaller ones for larger arrays.

A

Larger modules typically involve less installation cost, time, and labor.

40
Q

A large PV array mounted in an open field is probably best installed using a(n) ____ mount.

A

rack

4th Yr 2nd Half (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions