Solar photovoltaic systems – MCQs – EE

1. The basic principle of solar photovoltaic systems is based on the:
(A) Thermoelectric Effect
(B) Photoelectric Effect
(C) Photovoltaic Effect
(D) Electromagnetic Induction

2. A solar cell converts:
(A) Chemical energy into electrical energy
(B) Solar energy into thermal energy
(C) Solar energy into electrical energy
(D) Electrical energy into light energy

3. The semiconductor material commonly used in solar cells is:
(A) Germanium
(B) Silicon
(C) Gallium
(D) Selenium

4. The efficiency of a typical commercial solar cell is around:
(A) 5–10%
(B) 10–20%
(C) 25–35%
(D) 40–50%

5. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) of a solar cell mainly depends on:
(A) Temperature and material
(B) Current and resistance
(C) Light intensity only
(D) Cell area

6. The short-circuit current (Isc) of a solar cell increases with:
(A) Decrease in light intensity
(B) Increase in light intensity
(C) Decrease in temperature
(D) Increase in resistance

7. The series connection of solar cells increases:
(A) Voltage
(B) Current
(C) Power loss
(D) Efficiency

8. The parallel connection of solar cells increases:
(A) Voltage
(B) Current
(C) Resistance
(D) Temperature

9. The material used for anti-reflective coating in solar cells is:
(A) Silicon dioxide
(B) Aluminum oxide
(C) Zinc oxide
(D) All of the above

10. The output of a solar cell is DC because:
(A) It stores charge
(B) It has no moving parts
(C) It directly converts light into DC
(D) It uses alternating photons

11. The main loss in a solar PV system occurs due to:
(A) Conduction loss
(B) Reflection and recombination loss
(C) Mechanical loss
(D) Cooling loss

12. The maximum power point (MPP) of a PV module is the point where:
(A) Voltage and current are minimum
(B) Power output is maximum
(C) Resistance is maximum
(D) Efficiency is zero

13. The device used to track the MPP is called:
(A) Voltage Regulator
(B) MPPT Controller
(C) Rectifier
(D) Battery Charger

14. The function of an inverter in a PV system is to:
(A) Convert DC to AC
(B) Convert AC to DC
(C) Store electrical energy
(D) Regulate voltage

15. The tilt angle of a solar panel depends on:
(A) Wind speed
(B) Latitude of the location
(C) Temperature
(D) Load power

16. The temperature coefficient of a solar cell indicates:
(A) Increase in power with temperature
(B) Decrease in power with temperature
(C) Constant power with temperature
(D) Increase in efficiency with temperature

17. The standard test condition (STC) for solar modules uses irradiance of:
(A) 500 W/m²
(B) 800 W/m²
(C) 1000 W/m²
(D) 1200 W/m²

18. The fill factor (FF) of a solar cell is the ratio of:
(A) Isc/Voc
(B) Pmax/(Isc×Voc)
(C) Voc/Isc
(D) Power/Input power

19. The main purpose of a charge controller in a PV system is to:
(A) Regulate AC output
(B) Protect battery from overcharge/discharge
(C) Increase inverter efficiency
(D) Track sunlight

20. Which of the following affects solar cell efficiency the most?
(A) Cloud cover
(B) Sunlight angle
(C) Temperature rise
(D) All of the above

21. The type of inverter used for grid-tied PV systems is:
(A) Stand-alone inverter
(B) Grid-tied inverter
(C) Hybrid inverter
(D) Off-grid inverter

22. The primary disadvantage of solar PV systems is:
(A) High maintenance
(B) High initial cost
(C) Short life span
(D) Pollution

23. Which factor reduces the performance of a solar module over time?
(A) Degradation
(B) Temperature increase
(C) Dust accumulation
(D) All of the above

24. The typical lifetime of a solar PV module is about:
(A) 5 years
(B) 10 years
(C) 25 years
(D) 50 years

25. The energy conversion efficiency of a monocrystalline solar cell is generally:
(A) 8–10%
(B) 12–16%
(C) 17–22%
(D) 25–30%

26. In a PV system, the bypass diode is used to:
(A) Prevent reverse current
(B) Protect against shading losses
(C) Increase voltage
(D) Regulate current

27. The unit of solar irradiance is:
(A) Joule
(B) W/m²
(C) Calorie
(D) Watt-hour

28. Which layer in a solar cell absorbs the most photons?
(A) P-layer
(B) N-layer
(C) Depletion region
(D) Base layer

29. The output voltage of a single silicon solar cell is approximately:
(A) 0.1 V
(B) 0.3 V
(C) 0.6 V
(D) 1.2 V

30. The power generated by a solar panel depends on:
(A) Area of the panel
(B) Solar irradiance
(C) Efficiency of the cell
(D) All of the above