Arkansas AR Solar Energy
Systems 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. Store electrical energy
B. Convert AC electricity to DC electricity
C. Convert sunlight into DC electrical energy
D. Increase utility voltage
Answer: Convert sunlight into DC electrical energy
Rationale: A PV module uses semiconductor cells to
convert solar radiation directly into direct-current
electrical energy.
2. Which semiconductor material is most commonly used
in conventional PV modules?
A. Copper
B. Aluminum
C. Silicon
D. Zinc
Answer: Silicon
Rationale: Silicon is the dominant semiconductor
material used in crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells
,because of its electrical properties, availability, and
durability.
3. What happens to PV module voltage when modules
are connected in series?
A. Current increases while voltage remains unchanged
B. Voltages add while current remains approximately the
same
C. Both voltage and current become zero
D. Voltage decreases to the lowest module voltage
Answer: Voltages add while current remains
approximately the same
Rationale: Series-connected modules add their voltages,
while the current through the series string is
approximately the same as the current of an individual
module.
4. What happens when identical PV modules are
connected in parallel?
A. Voltage adds
B. Current adds while voltage remains approximately the
same
C. Both voltage and current double regardless of configuration
D. Voltage becomes zero
Answer: Current adds while voltage remains
approximately the same
Rationale: Parallel circuits maintain approximately the
same voltage while the available current from identical
sources adds.
5. What is the purpose of an inverter in a typical grid-
connected PV system?
,A. Convert AC to sunlight
B. Store electricity in the PV modules
C. Convert DC electricity to AC electricity
D. Increase module temperature
Answer: Convert DC electricity to AC electricity
Rationale: PV modules produce DC electricity, while
most building loads and utility systems operate on AC
electricity.
6. Which condition generally causes a PV module to
produce less power?
A. Increased sunlight
B. Proper orientation
C. Shading
D. Clean glass
Answer: Shading
Rationale: Shading reduces the irradiance reaching PV
cells and can significantly reduce string output,
especially when modules are series connected.
7. What is the purpose of a maximum power point
tracker (MPPT)?
A. Prevent all lightning strikes
B. Operate the PV array near its maximum power-
producing voltage and current
C. Disconnect the utility meter
D. Convert AC to DC
Answer: Operate the PV array near its maximum power-
producing voltage and current
Rationale: MPPT electronics continuously adjust
operating conditions so the array can produce power
, near its maximum power point as irradiance and
temperature change.
8. Which factor generally causes crystalline PV module
voltage to decrease?
A. Lower module temperature
B. Higher module temperature
C. Higher irradiance only
D. Cleaning the module
Answer: Higher module temperature
Rationale: Crystalline-silicon PV voltage has a negative
temperature coefficient, so voltage generally decreases
as cell temperature increases.
9. What is irradiance?
A. Electrical resistance of a conductor
B. Solar power received per unit area
C. Battery capacity
D. Inverter efficiency
Answer: Solar power received per unit area
Rationale: Irradiance describes the instantaneous solar
power incident on a surface, commonly expressed in
watts per square meter.
10. What unit is commonly used for solar irradiance?
A. Ohms
B. Amp-hours
C. Watts per square meter
D. Volts per ampere
Answer: Watts per square meter
Systems 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. Store electrical energy
B. Convert AC electricity to DC electricity
C. Convert sunlight into DC electrical energy
D. Increase utility voltage
Answer: Convert sunlight into DC electrical energy
Rationale: A PV module uses semiconductor cells to
convert solar radiation directly into direct-current
electrical energy.
2. Which semiconductor material is most commonly used
in conventional PV modules?
A. Copper
B. Aluminum
C. Silicon
D. Zinc
Answer: Silicon
Rationale: Silicon is the dominant semiconductor
material used in crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells
,because of its electrical properties, availability, and
durability.
3. What happens to PV module voltage when modules
are connected in series?
A. Current increases while voltage remains unchanged
B. Voltages add while current remains approximately the
same
C. Both voltage and current become zero
D. Voltage decreases to the lowest module voltage
Answer: Voltages add while current remains
approximately the same
Rationale: Series-connected modules add their voltages,
while the current through the series string is
approximately the same as the current of an individual
module.
4. What happens when identical PV modules are
connected in parallel?
A. Voltage adds
B. Current adds while voltage remains approximately the
same
C. Both voltage and current double regardless of configuration
D. Voltage becomes zero
Answer: Current adds while voltage remains
approximately the same
Rationale: Parallel circuits maintain approximately the
same voltage while the available current from identical
sources adds.
5. What is the purpose of an inverter in a typical grid-
connected PV system?
,A. Convert AC to sunlight
B. Store electricity in the PV modules
C. Convert DC electricity to AC electricity
D. Increase module temperature
Answer: Convert DC electricity to AC electricity
Rationale: PV modules produce DC electricity, while
most building loads and utility systems operate on AC
electricity.
6. Which condition generally causes a PV module to
produce less power?
A. Increased sunlight
B. Proper orientation
C. Shading
D. Clean glass
Answer: Shading
Rationale: Shading reduces the irradiance reaching PV
cells and can significantly reduce string output,
especially when modules are series connected.
7. What is the purpose of a maximum power point
tracker (MPPT)?
A. Prevent all lightning strikes
B. Operate the PV array near its maximum power-
producing voltage and current
C. Disconnect the utility meter
D. Convert AC to DC
Answer: Operate the PV array near its maximum power-
producing voltage and current
Rationale: MPPT electronics continuously adjust
operating conditions so the array can produce power
, near its maximum power point as irradiance and
temperature change.
8. Which factor generally causes crystalline PV module
voltage to decrease?
A. Lower module temperature
B. Higher module temperature
C. Higher irradiance only
D. Cleaning the module
Answer: Higher module temperature
Rationale: Crystalline-silicon PV voltage has a negative
temperature coefficient, so voltage generally decreases
as cell temperature increases.
9. What is irradiance?
A. Electrical resistance of a conductor
B. Solar power received per unit area
C. Battery capacity
D. Inverter efficiency
Answer: Solar power received per unit area
Rationale: Irradiance describes the instantaneous solar
power incident on a surface, commonly expressed in
watts per square meter.
10. What unit is commonly used for solar irradiance?
A. Ohms
B. Amp-hours
C. Watts per square meter
D. Volts per ampere
Answer: Watts per square meter
