Question 1

Current photovoltaic technology uses sunlight to generate electricity

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic technology directly converts sunlight into electricity using a single structure in a single step. The solar cells in the structure are made of silicon, which absorbs photons from sunlight and generates a flow of electrons, creating an electrical current. Options B, C, and D are not accurate explanations of photovoltaic technology.

Question 2

Solar trough technology converts

Accepted Answer

Solar trough technology uses reflectors to concentrate the sun's rays onto a fluid-filled pipe or tube. The heat causes the fluid to boil, creating steam that drives a turbine to generate electricity. Therefore, solar trough technology converts the heat of the sun into steam to drive a turbogenerator.

Question 3

Every winter morning when the sun is shining bright,a man pulls back the drapes on a large south facing window.Here in Montana,he knows that he can help heat his home this way using

Accepted Answer

Passive solar heating involves taking advantage of natural sunlight to heat a building without the use of mechanical or electrical devices. In this scenario, the man is simply using the south facing window as a means of letting in sunlight and naturally heating his home, making it an example of passive solar heating.

Question 4

Around the world,photovoltaic technology is quickly being adopted to generate electricity in

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic technology is being rapidly adopted in both large scale commercial power plants and rooftop home units. It is not limited to only one of these options, nor is it restricted to small electronic applications.

Question 5

A home is buried in soil such that only the south facing side of the home,with many large windows,is exposed to the outside.Such construction of a home in Oklahoma is benefiting from

Accepted Answer

The construction of a home with large south-facing windows suggests that it is designed to take advantage of solar heating. Additionally, Oklahoma has a relatively warm climate, so geothermal cooling can also be effective. Therefore, the correct choice is solar heating and geothermal cooling, which is represented by option C. The other options are either incorrect or do not fully reflect the benefits of the home's construction.

Question 6

-The building in this photograph represents the use of

Accepted Answer

The building likely utilizes design elements that maximize sunlight exposure during the winter for natural warmth (passive solar heating) and architectural features or landscaping that provide shade during the summer to reduce cooling needs (passive shading), without relying on mechanical systems.

Question 7

Solar thermal systems would be least expensive to build and most effective to heat

Accepted Answer

Solar thermal systems would be most effective to heat a swimming pool in Arizona in the winter as the climate is sunny and warm, and the demand for heating is relatively low compared to other options. It would also be less expensive to build due to the lower demand and smaller system size.

Question 8

The fastest-growing energy technology in the world is illustrated by

Accepted Answer

Solar collecting panels on rooftops are the fastest-growing energy technology in the world. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their efficiency, affordability, and ability to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources. With the advancements in technology, solar panels are expected to become even more efficient and common in the future.

Question 9

-Technology illustrated in this figure represents

Accepted Answer

A flat-plate solar collector can be utilized in both active and passive solar heating systems. In active systems, it often involves pumps or fans to circulate heat-transfer fluids or air, whereas in passive systems, natural circulation is used.

Question 10

A power tower concentrates solar energy by

Accepted Answer

A power tower uses a large field of mirrors, called heliostats, to direct sunlight to a specific location. The mirrors are arranged in a circular or semi-circular pattern around a central tower, and they reflect sunlight onto a receiver at the top of the tower. The receiver absorbs the concentrated solar energy and uses it to heat a working fluid, such as water or molten salt, which can then be used to generate electricity in a conventional steam turbine.

Question 11

In the winter in Wisconsin,a person going to work at 8 AM parks her car so that it is in bright sunlight in the afternoon.When she gets in her car about 5 PM,the inside is warm because of

Accepted Answer

Passive solar heating is the process of using sunlight to naturally warm up a space or object without the use of any mechanical or electrical devices. In this case, the car parked in bright sunlight naturally absorbed the sun's heat, warming up the inside of the car without any active or mechanical assistance. Therefore, the best choice is D, passive solar heating.

Question 12

Solar space heating units tend to be less expensive than solar water heating units because

Accepted Answer

Air has a lower density than water, which means it requires less energy to move and circulate. This makes solar space heating units less expensive to operate than solar water heating units. Additionally, solar space heating units can often use passive systems that don't require mechanical components, further reducing their cost.

Question 13

Solar trough power generating plants are currently best suited for a place like

Accepted Answer

Solar trough power generating plants are most effective in hot and sunny locations with little cloud cover. Phoenix, Arizona has the necessary climate and weather conditions for optimal operation of solar trough power plants.

Question 14

Which one of the following is one of the most important components of concentrated solar power?

Accepted Answer

Mirrors or reflectors are one of the most important components of concentrated solar power (CSP) as they focus sunlight onto a small area, creating high temperatures that can be used to generate electricity. CSP plants use large arrays of mirrors or reflectors to concentrate the sun's energy onto a receiver, which contains a fluid that can be heated to drive a turbine and produce electricity. Photovoltaic cells, inertia, and wind turbines are not typically used in concentrated solar power plants.

Question 15

New buildings that receive the energy star rating are recognized for

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D, as new buildings that receive the ENERGY STAR rating use 40% less energy than other buildings in their class. This is based on a comparison with similar buildings in terms of size, location, and use. The other options are incorrect as they do not reflect the criteria used to determine ENERGY STAR certification.

Question 16

The most costly aspect of photovoltaic technology is being addressed by

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that the most costly aspect of photovoltaic technology is being addressed, which implies that cost reduction is the main concern. Option D directly addresses this concern by mentioning new technologies that reduce the cost of manufacturing solar cells. Option A and B are not related to cost reduction, and option C addresses a different issue of reducing the damaging effects of the sun on solar panels.

Question 17

Which one of the following would provide the greatest energy benefit to a home in the United States with cold winters and hot summers? A homeowner has large glass windows facing south.In front of these windows the homeowner should plant

Accepted Answer

Tall oak trees provide shade in the summer, reducing cooling costs, and lose their leaves in the winter, allowing sunlight to warm the home, thus providing energy benefits year-round.

Question 18

In a photovoltaic system,an inverter is required to

Accepted Answer

In a photovoltaic system, the solar panel generates DC current, which needs to be converted to AC current to be used in an electrical grid. An inverter is required to connect the DC current of the solar panel to the AC current of an electrical grid. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer. 
Option A is incorrect as the surplus electricity is already in the form of electricity, and therefore does not need to be converted into heat. Option B is incorrect as the solar panel itself generates electricity from solar energy, and an inverter is required to convert the generated DC current into AC current. Option D is also incorrect as it suggests converting AC current into DC current, which is the opposite of what an inverter does in a photovoltaic system.

Question 19

Photovoltaic cells are commonly used to power

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic cells are commonly used to power small electronic devices like calculators, as they are able to convert light energy into electrical energy efficiently. While they can also be used for larger applications like powering lighthouses, they are not typically used for industrial manufacturing or lawn mowers.

Question 20

Power Tower and Solar Trough systems are both capable of

Accepted Answer

Neither Power Tower nor Solar Trough systems can collect sunlight at night or generate electricity on modern passenger vehicles. However, they both have thermal storage capabilities, allowing them to store and use heat when there is no sunlight for several hours.

Quiz 16: Renewable Energy