NABCEP PV ASSOCIATE EXAM
QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS
An off-grid installation has a 1HP pump that is on 10% of the time and a 20W light that is on
100% of the time. What is the monthly energy use? - correct answer ✔✔68KWh
1HP = 746W
746W * 0.1 * 24hours * 30days = 53712Wh
20W * 24hrs * 30days = 14400Wh
14400 + 53712 = 68112Wh
68kWh
What kind of ground faults do most inverters detect? - correct answer ✔✔DC
Inverters detect dc ground faults. AC ground faults are detected on the AC side of the inverter at
the distribution paned (MSP, load center). Most inverters are not connected to high or medium
voltage. Medium voltage is thousands of volts, large utility scale inverters are connected to
medium voltage via a transformer
Current carrying ability of a conductor (wire) is called - correct answer ✔✔Ampacity
According to ohms law and voltage drop, the relationship between voltage drop and current is -
correct answer ✔✔Proportional. Ohms law: V = I*R
More current makes more voltage drop. This is a reason why we need a larger wire with more
current, so the wire resistance is less with a larger wire and there will be less voltage drop.
,An array in a hot and dry place is not producing as expected in summer time. Which of the
following is NOT a likely problem:
a) Decreased ac wire size and voltage loss
b) String size too short
C) String size too long
D) Soiling - correct answer ✔✔C) String size too short. When it is hot, voltage can be low. Too
long of a string would be a problem when it is too cold not too hot.
When using a digital multimeter, what is the first thing you should do? - correct answer
✔✔Inspect the meter. Always inspect first, look before you touch
is the worst design error?
A) BIPV on a commercial job
B) A fast-growing tree to the north of an array in Idaho
C) PV at 5-degree tilt at 40 degrees latitude
D) Different tilt angles in a PV source circuit - correct answer ✔✔D) Different tilt or azimuth
operation within a source circuit is bad. Series connections should not have different
orientations
MPPT is for - correct answer ✔✔MPPT is maximum power point tracking and will optimize the
energy harnessed from PV. Some inverters have multiple MPPTs. Charge controllers often, but
don't always, have MPPTs
Concentrated PV:
A) Only works with direct sunlight
B) Usually has a single axis tracker
C) Will get 30% power during cloudy conditions
, D) Is using heat to make electricity - correct answer ✔✔A) Only works in direct sunlight. usually
works with 2-axis trackers to always point at the sun and will not work at all in cloudy
conditions. Concentrated PV =! Concentrating Solar thermal
Fall protection should be used at heights over - correct answer ✔✔6 feet
Parallel PV circuit connections increase - correct answer ✔✔Parallel increase current. Series
increase voltage
Optimal tilt for off-grid PV system in the winter - correct answer ✔✔Latitude + 15 degrees is
Optimal tilt to maximize winter production. The sun is lower in the winter, requiring a higher tilt
angle
What is the most acceptable rating of an enclosure for exposed circuit conductors mounted on
an outside wall? - correct answer ✔✔NEMA 3R
Bypass diodes are located in the
A) Combiner box
B) Inverter
C) Wiring harness
D) PV Module - correct answer ✔✔Bypass diodes are in PV module junction box. Diverts current
around a group of cells if one is shaded. Usually 3 diodes/PV module
PV array at higher elevation would tend to produce more - correct answer ✔✔Current. Higher
elevation, less atmosphere, more irradiance, more current. High elevation can also be cooler
meaning more voltage from cold temps.
How much 14% efficient PV fits on 25 Square Meters
A) 3000W
QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS
An off-grid installation has a 1HP pump that is on 10% of the time and a 20W light that is on
100% of the time. What is the monthly energy use? - correct answer ✔✔68KWh
1HP = 746W
746W * 0.1 * 24hours * 30days = 53712Wh
20W * 24hrs * 30days = 14400Wh
14400 + 53712 = 68112Wh
68kWh
What kind of ground faults do most inverters detect? - correct answer ✔✔DC
Inverters detect dc ground faults. AC ground faults are detected on the AC side of the inverter at
the distribution paned (MSP, load center). Most inverters are not connected to high or medium
voltage. Medium voltage is thousands of volts, large utility scale inverters are connected to
medium voltage via a transformer
Current carrying ability of a conductor (wire) is called - correct answer ✔✔Ampacity
According to ohms law and voltage drop, the relationship between voltage drop and current is -
correct answer ✔✔Proportional. Ohms law: V = I*R
More current makes more voltage drop. This is a reason why we need a larger wire with more
current, so the wire resistance is less with a larger wire and there will be less voltage drop.
,An array in a hot and dry place is not producing as expected in summer time. Which of the
following is NOT a likely problem:
a) Decreased ac wire size and voltage loss
b) String size too short
C) String size too long
D) Soiling - correct answer ✔✔C) String size too short. When it is hot, voltage can be low. Too
long of a string would be a problem when it is too cold not too hot.
When using a digital multimeter, what is the first thing you should do? - correct answer
✔✔Inspect the meter. Always inspect first, look before you touch
is the worst design error?
A) BIPV on a commercial job
B) A fast-growing tree to the north of an array in Idaho
C) PV at 5-degree tilt at 40 degrees latitude
D) Different tilt angles in a PV source circuit - correct answer ✔✔D) Different tilt or azimuth
operation within a source circuit is bad. Series connections should not have different
orientations
MPPT is for - correct answer ✔✔MPPT is maximum power point tracking and will optimize the
energy harnessed from PV. Some inverters have multiple MPPTs. Charge controllers often, but
don't always, have MPPTs
Concentrated PV:
A) Only works with direct sunlight
B) Usually has a single axis tracker
C) Will get 30% power during cloudy conditions
, D) Is using heat to make electricity - correct answer ✔✔A) Only works in direct sunlight. usually
works with 2-axis trackers to always point at the sun and will not work at all in cloudy
conditions. Concentrated PV =! Concentrating Solar thermal
Fall protection should be used at heights over - correct answer ✔✔6 feet
Parallel PV circuit connections increase - correct answer ✔✔Parallel increase current. Series
increase voltage
Optimal tilt for off-grid PV system in the winter - correct answer ✔✔Latitude + 15 degrees is
Optimal tilt to maximize winter production. The sun is lower in the winter, requiring a higher tilt
angle
What is the most acceptable rating of an enclosure for exposed circuit conductors mounted on
an outside wall? - correct answer ✔✔NEMA 3R
Bypass diodes are located in the
A) Combiner box
B) Inverter
C) Wiring harness
D) PV Module - correct answer ✔✔Bypass diodes are in PV module junction box. Diverts current
around a group of cells if one is shaded. Usually 3 diodes/PV module
PV array at higher elevation would tend to produce more - correct answer ✔✔Current. Higher
elevation, less atmosphere, more irradiance, more current. High elevation can also be cooler
meaning more voltage from cold temps.
How much 14% efficient PV fits on 25 Square Meters
A) 3000W
