Solar Photovoltaic

Question 1

Define solar irradiance and its unit measure?

Answer 1

1. Measurement of solar power - the rate at which solar energy falls onto a surface.
2. Measured in power per unit area: W/m2
   watts per meter squared

Question 2

What data is used to estimate energy performance of solar renewable energy system (RES)?

Answer 2

Solar irradiance and radiation

Question 3

Orientation of Solar PV systems’ panels?

Answer 3

True north - axis of Earth’s rotation

Question 4

What is the relationship between slope and season for efficiency of Solar PV?

Answer 4

1. Most efficient all year: latitude of site
   2.Most efficient in sumer: latitude of site minus 15 degrees
   3.Most efficient in winter: Lat of site plus 15 degrees
   (this is also best against snow accumulation)

Question 5

Define array area.

Answer 5

Sum of the area of each solar panel.

Question 6

Define module efficiency.

Answer 6

Indicates how efficiently a solar modular converts solar radiation into electrical energy

Question 7

Define Miscellaneous array losses (%)

Answer 7

Power conditioning losses and other losses if any.

e.g. DC-DC converter, step-up transformers or losses due to dirt or snow on the modules

Question 8

Define Inverter efficiency (%)

Answer 8

Used to transform DC output to AC

Question 9

Define Inverter capacity (kW)

Answer 9

Value used on power capacity and inverter efficiency

Question 10

Capacity factor (%)

Answer 10

Represents the ratio of the average power produced by a solar panel over a year to its rater power capacity.