Arkansas AR-SOL-E Solar Electric
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary function of a photovoltaic (PV)
module?
A. Convert sunlight directly into DC electrical energy
B. Convert AC electricity into DC electricity
C. Store electrical energy
D. Increase utility voltage
Correct Answer: Convert sunlight directly into DC
electrical energy
Rationale: A PV module uses the photovoltaic effect to
convert solar radiation into direct-current electrical
energy.
2. In a series-connected PV string, what happens to the
voltage?
A. It remains equal to the voltage of one module
B. It decreases as modules are added
C. The module voltages add together
D. The current doubles
Correct Answer: The module voltages add together
Rationale: In a series circuit, voltages add while the
current remains approximately the same as the current
of the individual modules.
3. In a parallel-connected PV array, what happens to
current?
,A. The currents of the branches add together
B. Voltage doubles automatically
C. Current becomes zero
D. Current equals only the smallest module current
Correct Answer: The currents of the branches add
together
Rationale: Parallel circuits maintain approximately the
same voltage while branch currents add.
4. Which device converts PV array DC power into AC
power for typical building loads?
A. Transformer
B. Charge controller
C. Combiner box
D. Inverter
Correct Answer: Inverter
Rationale: A grid-tied or stand-alone inverter converts
direct current from the PV system into alternating
current suitable for loads or other system equipment.
5. What does the maximum power point (MPP) of a PV
module represent?
A. The module's maximum open-circuit voltage
B. The voltage and current combination at which the
module produces maximum power
C. The short-circuit current only
D. The minimum operating voltage
Correct Answer: The voltage and current combination at
which the module produces maximum power
Rationale: Maximum power occurs at the specific
operating point where voltage multiplied by current is
greatest.
6. Which condition generally causes PV module voltage
to decrease?
,A. Lower cell temperature
B. Increased irradiance
C. Higher cell temperature
D. Reduced conductor length
Correct Answer: Higher cell temperature
Rationale: PV module voltage generally decreases as
cell temperature rises, while current tends to increase
slightly.
7. What is the purpose of a PV system combiner box?
A. Convert DC to AC
B. Store energy
C. Combine multiple PV circuit outputs into a larger
circuit
D. Measure utility frequency
Correct Answer: Combine multiple PV circuit outputs
into a larger circuit
Rationale: A combiner combines multiple PV source
circuits, commonly providing overcurrent protection and
disconnecting provisions as required.
8. Which electrical quantity is measured in watts?
A. Voltage
B. Current
C. Resistance
D. Power
Correct Answer: Power
Rationale: Watts are the unit of electrical power. In a DC
circuit, power can be calculated as P = V × I.
9. Which electrical quantity is measured in amperes?
A. Resistance
B. Voltage
C. Current
D. Power
, Correct Answer: Current
Rationale: The ampere is the SI unit used to measure
electrical current.
10. Which electrical quantity is measured in ohms?
A. Current
B. Power
C. Voltage
D. Resistance
Correct Answer: Resistance
Rationale: Electrical resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).
11. What is the purpose of equipment grounding?
A. Increase system voltage
B. Increase PV production
C. Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
D. Prevent all lightning strikes
Correct Answer: Provide a low-impedance path for fault
current
Rationale: Equipment grounding helps facilitate
operation of protective devices and reduces the risk of
dangerous touch voltage during faults.
12. What is the main purpose of overcurrent protection?
A. Increase inverter efficiency
B. Protect conductors and equipment from excessive
current
C. Improve module orientation
D. Increase battery capacity
Correct Answer: Protect conductors and equipment from
excessive current
Rationale: Overcurrent protective devices help protect
wiring and equipment against damage caused by
overloads or short circuits.
Contractor Practice Exam |
Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary function of a photovoltaic (PV)
module?
A. Convert sunlight directly into DC electrical energy
B. Convert AC electricity into DC electricity
C. Store electrical energy
D. Increase utility voltage
Correct Answer: Convert sunlight directly into DC
electrical energy
Rationale: A PV module uses the photovoltaic effect to
convert solar radiation into direct-current electrical
energy.
2. In a series-connected PV string, what happens to the
voltage?
A. It remains equal to the voltage of one module
B. It decreases as modules are added
C. The module voltages add together
D. The current doubles
Correct Answer: The module voltages add together
Rationale: In a series circuit, voltages add while the
current remains approximately the same as the current
of the individual modules.
3. In a parallel-connected PV array, what happens to
current?
,A. The currents of the branches add together
B. Voltage doubles automatically
C. Current becomes zero
D. Current equals only the smallest module current
Correct Answer: The currents of the branches add
together
Rationale: Parallel circuits maintain approximately the
same voltage while branch currents add.
4. Which device converts PV array DC power into AC
power for typical building loads?
A. Transformer
B. Charge controller
C. Combiner box
D. Inverter
Correct Answer: Inverter
Rationale: A grid-tied or stand-alone inverter converts
direct current from the PV system into alternating
current suitable for loads or other system equipment.
5. What does the maximum power point (MPP) of a PV
module represent?
A. The module's maximum open-circuit voltage
B. The voltage and current combination at which the
module produces maximum power
C. The short-circuit current only
D. The minimum operating voltage
Correct Answer: The voltage and current combination at
which the module produces maximum power
Rationale: Maximum power occurs at the specific
operating point where voltage multiplied by current is
greatest.
6. Which condition generally causes PV module voltage
to decrease?
,A. Lower cell temperature
B. Increased irradiance
C. Higher cell temperature
D. Reduced conductor length
Correct Answer: Higher cell temperature
Rationale: PV module voltage generally decreases as
cell temperature rises, while current tends to increase
slightly.
7. What is the purpose of a PV system combiner box?
A. Convert DC to AC
B. Store energy
C. Combine multiple PV circuit outputs into a larger
circuit
D. Measure utility frequency
Correct Answer: Combine multiple PV circuit outputs
into a larger circuit
Rationale: A combiner combines multiple PV source
circuits, commonly providing overcurrent protection and
disconnecting provisions as required.
8. Which electrical quantity is measured in watts?
A. Voltage
B. Current
C. Resistance
D. Power
Correct Answer: Power
Rationale: Watts are the unit of electrical power. In a DC
circuit, power can be calculated as P = V × I.
9. Which electrical quantity is measured in amperes?
A. Resistance
B. Voltage
C. Current
D. Power
, Correct Answer: Current
Rationale: The ampere is the SI unit used to measure
electrical current.
10. Which electrical quantity is measured in ohms?
A. Current
B. Power
C. Voltage
D. Resistance
Correct Answer: Resistance
Rationale: Electrical resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).
11. What is the purpose of equipment grounding?
A. Increase system voltage
B. Increase PV production
C. Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
D. Prevent all lightning strikes
Correct Answer: Provide a low-impedance path for fault
current
Rationale: Equipment grounding helps facilitate
operation of protective devices and reduces the risk of
dangerous touch voltage during faults.
12. What is the main purpose of overcurrent protection?
A. Increase inverter efficiency
B. Protect conductors and equipment from excessive
current
C. Improve module orientation
D. Increase battery capacity
Correct Answer: Protect conductors and equipment from
excessive current
Rationale: Overcurrent protective devices help protect
wiring and equipment against damage caused by
overloads or short circuits.
