NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate (PVA)
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary function of a photovoltaic (PV) module?
A) Store electrical energy
B) Convert sunlight into electrical energy
C) Convert AC electricity to DC electricity
D) Regulate voltage
Answer: B) Convert sunlight into electrical energy
Rationale: PV modules are designed to convert solar irradiance directly
into DC electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
2. What type of current do PV modules produce?
A) Alternating current (AC)
B) Direct current (DC)
,C) Both AC and DC
D) Pulsed current
Answer: B) Direct current (DC)
Rationale: Solar modules generate direct current, which may then be
converted to AC via an inverter for grid use.
3. What is the primary semiconductor material used in standard PV cells?
A) Silicon
B) Gallium arsenide
C) Copper
D) Aluminum
Answer: A) Silicon
Rationale: Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor in PV cells due to
its abundance, stability, and efficiency.
4. Which factor most directly affects PV module performance?
A) Color of the module frame
B) Ambient temperature and irradiance
C) Altitude only
D) Length of wiring
Answer: B) Ambient temperature and irradiance
Rationale: PV module output is highly dependent on solar irradiance and
temperature; higher irradiance increases current while higher
temperatures reduce voltage.
,5. How does shading affect a PV module?
A) Increases efficiency
B) Has no effect
C) Reduces power output
D) Converts AC to DC
Answer: C) Reduces power output
Rationale: Even partial shading can significantly reduce PV output because
shaded cells can limit current in series-connected strings.
6. What is the purpose of a bypass diode in a PV module?
A) Store excess energy
B) Protect shaded cells and maintain string current
C) Convert DC to AC
D) Increase module voltage
Answer: B) Protect shaded cells and maintain string current
Rationale: Bypass diodes allow current to flow around shaded or damaged
cells, preventing hot spots and energy loss.
7. What is the standard test condition (STC) for PV modules?
A) 1000 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5 spectrum
B) 800 W/m², 20°C, AM1.0 spectrum
C) 1200 W/m², 30°C, AM2.0 spectrum
D) 500 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5 spectrum
, Answer: A) 1000 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5 spectrum
Rationale: STC is used to rate PV modules consistently, providing standard
reference for voltage, current, and power output.
8. Which PV module type generally has the highest efficiency?
A) Polycrystalline
B) Monocrystalline
C) Thin-film
D) Amorphous silicon
Answer: B) Monocrystalline
Rationale: Monocrystalline cells have higher efficiency due to uniform
crystal structure, reducing energy losses.
9. What is the typical voltage of a single crystalline silicon PV cell under
STC?
A) 0.05 V
B) 0.6 V
C) 5 V
D) 12 V
Answer: B) 0.6 V
Rationale: Individual silicon PV cells typically produce about 0.5–0.6 V
under standard test conditions.
10. Which type of inverter is commonly used for small residential PV
systems?
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of a photovoltaic (PV) module?
A) Store electrical energy
B) Convert sunlight into electrical energy
C) Convert AC electricity to DC electricity
D) Regulate voltage
Answer: B) Convert sunlight into electrical energy
Rationale: PV modules are designed to convert solar irradiance directly
into DC electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
2. What type of current do PV modules produce?
A) Alternating current (AC)
B) Direct current (DC)
,C) Both AC and DC
D) Pulsed current
Answer: B) Direct current (DC)
Rationale: Solar modules generate direct current, which may then be
converted to AC via an inverter for grid use.
3. What is the primary semiconductor material used in standard PV cells?
A) Silicon
B) Gallium arsenide
C) Copper
D) Aluminum
Answer: A) Silicon
Rationale: Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor in PV cells due to
its abundance, stability, and efficiency.
4. Which factor most directly affects PV module performance?
A) Color of the module frame
B) Ambient temperature and irradiance
C) Altitude only
D) Length of wiring
Answer: B) Ambient temperature and irradiance
Rationale: PV module output is highly dependent on solar irradiance and
temperature; higher irradiance increases current while higher
temperatures reduce voltage.
,5. How does shading affect a PV module?
A) Increases efficiency
B) Has no effect
C) Reduces power output
D) Converts AC to DC
Answer: C) Reduces power output
Rationale: Even partial shading can significantly reduce PV output because
shaded cells can limit current in series-connected strings.
6. What is the purpose of a bypass diode in a PV module?
A) Store excess energy
B) Protect shaded cells and maintain string current
C) Convert DC to AC
D) Increase module voltage
Answer: B) Protect shaded cells and maintain string current
Rationale: Bypass diodes allow current to flow around shaded or damaged
cells, preventing hot spots and energy loss.
7. What is the standard test condition (STC) for PV modules?
A) 1000 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5 spectrum
B) 800 W/m², 20°C, AM1.0 spectrum
C) 1200 W/m², 30°C, AM2.0 spectrum
D) 500 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5 spectrum
, Answer: A) 1000 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5 spectrum
Rationale: STC is used to rate PV modules consistently, providing standard
reference for voltage, current, and power output.
8. Which PV module type generally has the highest efficiency?
A) Polycrystalline
B) Monocrystalline
C) Thin-film
D) Amorphous silicon
Answer: B) Monocrystalline
Rationale: Monocrystalline cells have higher efficiency due to uniform
crystal structure, reducing energy losses.
9. What is the typical voltage of a single crystalline silicon PV cell under
STC?
A) 0.05 V
B) 0.6 V
C) 5 V
D) 12 V
Answer: B) 0.6 V
Rationale: Individual silicon PV cells typically produce about 0.5–0.6 V
under standard test conditions.
10. Which type of inverter is commonly used for small residential PV
systems?
