PVDS NABCEP PV
Design Specialist Exam
,PVDS NABCEP PV Design Specialist Exam
Question 1
Match each numbered concern to its subject area. Which answer preserves all of the
associations?
1. Size DC and AC conductors, disconnects, combiner boxes, and overcurrent protection
devices (OCPDs) based on short-circuit current (Isc) and operating currents
2. Evaluate photovoltaic module electrical characteristics (power output, voltage and current
parameters, and temperature coefficients)
A. 1: 1 Module and Inverter Selection; 2: 1 Module and Inverter Selection
B. 1: 1 Module and Inverter Selection; 2: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and Overcurrent
Protection
C. 1: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and Overcurrent Protection; 2: 1 Module and Inverter
Selection
D. 1: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and Overcurrent Protection; 2: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing,
and Overcurrent Protection
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and
Overcurrent Protection (Size DC and AC conductors, disconnects, combiner boxes, and
overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) based on short-circuit current (I ) and operating
sc
currents); 2 with 1 Module and Inverter Selection (Evaluate photovoltaic module electrical
characteristics (power output, voltage and current parameters, and temperature coefficients)).
Exchanging these topics changes the subject of one or more concerns rather than preserving their
distinct meanings.
Question 2
A question asks for a concrete focus within 2 Utility Interconnection Requirements. Which
answer is the best fit?
A. Review site location, geographical coordinates, and local weather patterns (e.g., historical
ambient temperature extremes, ground snow loads, wind speeds)
B. e.g., historical ambient temperature extremes, ground snow loads, wind speeds
C. Identify utility metering requirements, dedicated rapid shutdown compliance, and grid support
utility interactive inverter functions
D. Identify near- and far-horizon shading obstructions (e.g., trees, neighboring structures, utility
poles, parapets, roof structures)
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: The relevant connection is between 2 Utility Interconnection Requirements
and Identify utility metering requirements, dedicated rapid shutdown compliance, and grid
support utility interactive inverter functions. The alternatives address other focuses, including 1
Site Boundaries and Geographical Data and Review site location, geographical coordinates, and
local weather patterns; they do not provide the same direct subject match.
Questions and Explanations 2
,PVDS NABCEP PV Design Specialist Exam
Question 3
Two issues are being considered together: Produce comprehensive plan views, roof layout
diagrams, and structural elevation drawings and Generate single-line diagrams (SLDs) and
three-line diagrams detailing electrical connections, wire types, conduit sizes, grounding paths,
and labeling schedules. Which topic is their closest common focus?
A. 1 Design Drawings and Schematics
B. 1 Solar Resource Assessment
C. Configure Electrical Design
D. Configure Mechanical Design
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Both concerns belong to 1 Design Drawings and Schematics: Produce
comprehensive plan views, roof layout diagrams, and structural elevation drawings, and Generate
single-line diagrams (SLDs) and three-line diagrams detailing electrical connections, wire types,
conduit sizes, grounding paths, and labeling schedules. This topic therefore accounts for both
parts of the question; choosing a neighboring topic would not preserve that shared focus.
Question 4
Several different issues need to be distinguished. Which answer identifies their topics in the
order shown?
1. Configure energy storage system (ESS) controls, backup power transfer switches, and
load-shedding configurations
2. Modify structural or electrical layouts to resolve unforeseen on-site obstructions, inspection
failures, or architectural changes discovered during construction
A. 1: 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments; 2: 2 Controls and Energy Management
B. 1: 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments; 2: 2 Field Revision and Constructability
Adjustments
C. 1: 2 Controls and Energy Management; 2: 2 Controls and Energy Management
D. 1: 2 Controls and Energy Management; 2: 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with 2 Controls and Energy Management
(Configure energy storage system (ESS) controls, backup power transfer switches, and
load-shedding configurations); 2 with 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments (Modify
structural or electrical layouts to resolve unforeseen on-site obstructions, inspection failures, or
architectural changes discovered during construction). Exchanging these topics changes the
subject of one or more concerns rather than preserving their distinct meanings.
Questions and Explanations 3
, PVDS NABCEP PV Design Specialist Exam
Question 5
Which answer gives the correct topic for each numbered focus, without exchanging their roles?
1. 4 Grounding, Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design
2. string inverters, microinverters, optimizers, hybrid inverters
3. Produce comprehensive plan views, roof layout diagrams, and structural elevation drawings
A. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: 1 Design Drawings and Schematics; 3: Match module
specifications with inverter architectures
B. 1: Match module specifications with inverter architectures; 2: 1 Design Drawings and
Schematics; 3: Configure Electrical Design
C. 1: 1 Design Drawings and Schematics; 2: Configure Electrical Design; 3: Match module
specifications with inverter architectures
D. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: Match module specifications with inverter architectures; 3: 1
Design Drawings and Schematics
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with Configure Electrical Design (4 Grounding,
Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design); 2 with Match module specifications with inverter
architectures (string inverters, microinverters, optimizers, hybrid inverters); 3 with 1 Design
Drawings and Schematics (Produce comprehensive plan views, roof layout diagrams, and
structural elevation drawings). Exchanging these topics changes the subject of one or more
concerns rather than preserving their distinct meanings.
Question 6
Which answer gives the correct topic for each numbered focus, without exchanging their roles?
1. 4 Grounding, Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design
2. Evaluate customer utility bills, load profiles, energy consumption history, and rate structures
(e.g., time-of-use, demand charges)
A. 1: 1 Energy and Financial Goals; 2: 1 Energy and Financial Goals
B. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: Configure Electrical Design
C. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: 1 Energy and Financial Goals
D. 1: 1 Energy and Financial Goals; 2: Configure Electrical Design
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with Configure Electrical Design (4 Grounding,
Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design); 2 with 1 Energy and Financial Goals (Evaluate customer
utility bills, load profiles, energy consumption history, and rate structures (e.g., time-of-use,
demand charges)). Exchanging these topics changes the subject of one or more concerns rather
than preserving their distinct meanings.
Questions and Explanations 4
Design Specialist Exam
,PVDS NABCEP PV Design Specialist Exam
Question 1
Match each numbered concern to its subject area. Which answer preserves all of the
associations?
1. Size DC and AC conductors, disconnects, combiner boxes, and overcurrent protection
devices (OCPDs) based on short-circuit current (Isc) and operating currents
2. Evaluate photovoltaic module electrical characteristics (power output, voltage and current
parameters, and temperature coefficients)
A. 1: 1 Module and Inverter Selection; 2: 1 Module and Inverter Selection
B. 1: 1 Module and Inverter Selection; 2: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and Overcurrent
Protection
C. 1: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and Overcurrent Protection; 2: 1 Module and Inverter
Selection
D. 1: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and Overcurrent Protection; 2: 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing,
and Overcurrent Protection
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with 3 Ampacity, Conductor Sizing, and
Overcurrent Protection (Size DC and AC conductors, disconnects, combiner boxes, and
overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) based on short-circuit current (I ) and operating
sc
currents); 2 with 1 Module and Inverter Selection (Evaluate photovoltaic module electrical
characteristics (power output, voltage and current parameters, and temperature coefficients)).
Exchanging these topics changes the subject of one or more concerns rather than preserving their
distinct meanings.
Question 2
A question asks for a concrete focus within 2 Utility Interconnection Requirements. Which
answer is the best fit?
A. Review site location, geographical coordinates, and local weather patterns (e.g., historical
ambient temperature extremes, ground snow loads, wind speeds)
B. e.g., historical ambient temperature extremes, ground snow loads, wind speeds
C. Identify utility metering requirements, dedicated rapid shutdown compliance, and grid support
utility interactive inverter functions
D. Identify near- and far-horizon shading obstructions (e.g., trees, neighboring structures, utility
poles, parapets, roof structures)
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: The relevant connection is between 2 Utility Interconnection Requirements
and Identify utility metering requirements, dedicated rapid shutdown compliance, and grid
support utility interactive inverter functions. The alternatives address other focuses, including 1
Site Boundaries and Geographical Data and Review site location, geographical coordinates, and
local weather patterns; they do not provide the same direct subject match.
Questions and Explanations 2
,PVDS NABCEP PV Design Specialist Exam
Question 3
Two issues are being considered together: Produce comprehensive plan views, roof layout
diagrams, and structural elevation drawings and Generate single-line diagrams (SLDs) and
three-line diagrams detailing electrical connections, wire types, conduit sizes, grounding paths,
and labeling schedules. Which topic is their closest common focus?
A. 1 Design Drawings and Schematics
B. 1 Solar Resource Assessment
C. Configure Electrical Design
D. Configure Mechanical Design
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Both concerns belong to 1 Design Drawings and Schematics: Produce
comprehensive plan views, roof layout diagrams, and structural elevation drawings, and Generate
single-line diagrams (SLDs) and three-line diagrams detailing electrical connections, wire types,
conduit sizes, grounding paths, and labeling schedules. This topic therefore accounts for both
parts of the question; choosing a neighboring topic would not preserve that shared focus.
Question 4
Several different issues need to be distinguished. Which answer identifies their topics in the
order shown?
1. Configure energy storage system (ESS) controls, backup power transfer switches, and
load-shedding configurations
2. Modify structural or electrical layouts to resolve unforeseen on-site obstructions, inspection
failures, or architectural changes discovered during construction
A. 1: 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments; 2: 2 Controls and Energy Management
B. 1: 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments; 2: 2 Field Revision and Constructability
Adjustments
C. 1: 2 Controls and Energy Management; 2: 2 Controls and Energy Management
D. 1: 2 Controls and Energy Management; 2: 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with 2 Controls and Energy Management
(Configure energy storage system (ESS) controls, backup power transfer switches, and
load-shedding configurations); 2 with 2 Field Revision and Constructability Adjustments (Modify
structural or electrical layouts to resolve unforeseen on-site obstructions, inspection failures, or
architectural changes discovered during construction). Exchanging these topics changes the
subject of one or more concerns rather than preserving their distinct meanings.
Questions and Explanations 3
, PVDS NABCEP PV Design Specialist Exam
Question 5
Which answer gives the correct topic for each numbered focus, without exchanging their roles?
1. 4 Grounding, Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design
2. string inverters, microinverters, optimizers, hybrid inverters
3. Produce comprehensive plan views, roof layout diagrams, and structural elevation drawings
A. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: 1 Design Drawings and Schematics; 3: Match module
specifications with inverter architectures
B. 1: Match module specifications with inverter architectures; 2: 1 Design Drawings and
Schematics; 3: Configure Electrical Design
C. 1: 1 Design Drawings and Schematics; 2: Configure Electrical Design; 3: Match module
specifications with inverter architectures
D. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: Match module specifications with inverter architectures; 3: 1
Design Drawings and Schematics
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with Configure Electrical Design (4 Grounding,
Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design); 2 with Match module specifications with inverter
architectures (string inverters, microinverters, optimizers, hybrid inverters); 3 with 1 Design
Drawings and Schematics (Produce comprehensive plan views, roof layout diagrams, and
structural elevation drawings). Exchanging these topics changes the subject of one or more
concerns rather than preserving their distinct meanings.
Question 6
Which answer gives the correct topic for each numbered focus, without exchanging their roles?
1. 4 Grounding, Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design
2. Evaluate customer utility bills, load profiles, energy consumption history, and rate structures
(e.g., time-of-use, demand charges)
A. 1: 1 Energy and Financial Goals; 2: 1 Energy and Financial Goals
B. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: Configure Electrical Design
C. 1: Configure Electrical Design; 2: 1 Energy and Financial Goals
D. 1: 1 Energy and Financial Goals; 2: Configure Electrical Design
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: The correct associations are 1 with Configure Electrical Design (4 Grounding,
Bonding, and Rapid Shutdown Design); 2 with 1 Energy and Financial Goals (Evaluate customer
utility bills, load profiles, energy consumption history, and rate structures (e.g., time-of-use,
demand charges)). Exchanging these topics changes the subject of one or more concerns rather
than preserving their distinct meanings.
Questions and Explanations 4
