Kansas Solar Contractor Examination —
Local Jurisdiction Practice Exam 2026 |
100 Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. A PV system is being installed on a commercial building in Kansas. Before
beginning construction, what should the contractor verify regarding the
applicable codes?
A. Only the National Electrical Code
B. Only the manufacturer's installation instructions
C. The locally adopted codes, amendments, permitting requirements, and
applicable utility requirements
D. Only the state contractor registration requirements
Answer: The locally adopted codes, amendments, permitting requirements, and
applicable utility requirements
Rationale: The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) may adopt specific editions,
amendments, administrative requirements, and permitting procedures that
,affect the solar installation. Utility interconnection rules may impose additional
requirements.
2. What is the primary purpose of an equipment grounding conductor in a PV
system?
A. Increase inverter efficiency
B. Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
C. Increase the PV array voltage
D. Reduce normal operating current
Answer: Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
Rationale: The equipment grounding conductor provides a conductive path that
helps facilitate operation of overcurrent protective devices and reduce shock
hazards during faults.
3. A PV source circuit has an open-circuit voltage of 42 V per module. If 12
identical modules are connected in series and temperature correction is
temporarily ignored, what is the array open-circuit voltage?
A. 50.4 V
B. 252 V
C. 504 V
D. 1,008 V
Answer: 504 V
Rationale: Series-connected modules add voltage: 42 V × 12 = 504 V.
4. Why must the maximum PV system voltage be evaluated using the lowest
expected ambient temperature rather than simply using the module's
nominal operating voltage?
A. Module voltage increases at lower temperatures
B. Module voltage decreases at lower temperatures
C. Current becomes zero at low temperatures
D. Inverter efficiency always decreases at low temperatures
,Answer: Module voltage increases at lower temperatures
Rationale: PV module open-circuit voltage generally rises as cell temperature
falls. The resulting cold-weather voltage must remain within the equipment's
maximum voltage rating.
5. A contractor places PV conductors in a raceway with several other circuits.
What issue must be considered before selecting the conductor ampacity?
A. Paint color of the raceway
B. Number of current-carrying conductors and applicable adjustment factors
C. Module frame color
D. Roof slope only
Answer: Number of current-carrying conductors and applicable adjustment
factors
Rationale: Conductor ampacity may require adjustment or correction because of
conductor quantity, ambient temperature, bundling, and installation conditions.
6. What is the principal function of a grid-tied PV inverter?
A. Convert AC into DC for the modules
B. Convert PV DC power into synchronized AC power
C. Increase the utility frequency
D. Store all PV energy internally
Answer: Convert PV DC power into synchronized AC power
Rationale: A grid-interactive inverter converts DC generated by the PV array into
AC suitable for the premises electrical system and, when permitted, the utility
grid.
7. Which condition is most likely to cause a series PV string to produce
substantially less current than expected?
A. One module experiencing significant shading
B. Increased sunlight
, C. Lower conductor resistance
D. Proper module cleaning
Answer: One module experiencing significant shading
Rationale: In a series string, current is constrained by the module or condition
limiting the string. Shading can substantially reduce string output and may
activate bypass-diode behavior.
8. What is the purpose of bypass diodes in PV modules?
A. Increase utility voltage
B. Provide an alternate current path around shaded or damaged cell groups
C. Ground the array
D. Disconnect the inverter from the grid
Answer: Provide an alternate current path around shaded or damaged cell
groups
Rationale: Bypass diodes reduce the effects of localized shading and help limit
excessive reverse bias and hot-spot conditions within affected cell groups.
9. What should determine the required PV disconnecting means?
A. The contractor's preference alone
B. Applicable code requirements, equipment ratings, system design, and AHJ
requirements
C. Module appearance
D. The customer's preferred switch color
Answer: Applicable code requirements, equipment ratings, system design, and
AHJ requirements
Rationale: Disconnecting requirements depend on the system configuration,
equipment, conductor arrangement, code provisions, and local enforcement
requirements.
Local Jurisdiction Practice Exam 2026 |
100 Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. A PV system is being installed on a commercial building in Kansas. Before
beginning construction, what should the contractor verify regarding the
applicable codes?
A. Only the National Electrical Code
B. Only the manufacturer's installation instructions
C. The locally adopted codes, amendments, permitting requirements, and
applicable utility requirements
D. Only the state contractor registration requirements
Answer: The locally adopted codes, amendments, permitting requirements, and
applicable utility requirements
Rationale: The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) may adopt specific editions,
amendments, administrative requirements, and permitting procedures that
,affect the solar installation. Utility interconnection rules may impose additional
requirements.
2. What is the primary purpose of an equipment grounding conductor in a PV
system?
A. Increase inverter efficiency
B. Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
C. Increase the PV array voltage
D. Reduce normal operating current
Answer: Provide a low-impedance path for fault current
Rationale: The equipment grounding conductor provides a conductive path that
helps facilitate operation of overcurrent protective devices and reduce shock
hazards during faults.
3. A PV source circuit has an open-circuit voltage of 42 V per module. If 12
identical modules are connected in series and temperature correction is
temporarily ignored, what is the array open-circuit voltage?
A. 50.4 V
B. 252 V
C. 504 V
D. 1,008 V
Answer: 504 V
Rationale: Series-connected modules add voltage: 42 V × 12 = 504 V.
4. Why must the maximum PV system voltage be evaluated using the lowest
expected ambient temperature rather than simply using the module's
nominal operating voltage?
A. Module voltage increases at lower temperatures
B. Module voltage decreases at lower temperatures
C. Current becomes zero at low temperatures
D. Inverter efficiency always decreases at low temperatures
,Answer: Module voltage increases at lower temperatures
Rationale: PV module open-circuit voltage generally rises as cell temperature
falls. The resulting cold-weather voltage must remain within the equipment's
maximum voltage rating.
5. A contractor places PV conductors in a raceway with several other circuits.
What issue must be considered before selecting the conductor ampacity?
A. Paint color of the raceway
B. Number of current-carrying conductors and applicable adjustment factors
C. Module frame color
D. Roof slope only
Answer: Number of current-carrying conductors and applicable adjustment
factors
Rationale: Conductor ampacity may require adjustment or correction because of
conductor quantity, ambient temperature, bundling, and installation conditions.
6. What is the principal function of a grid-tied PV inverter?
A. Convert AC into DC for the modules
B. Convert PV DC power into synchronized AC power
C. Increase the utility frequency
D. Store all PV energy internally
Answer: Convert PV DC power into synchronized AC power
Rationale: A grid-interactive inverter converts DC generated by the PV array into
AC suitable for the premises electrical system and, when permitted, the utility
grid.
7. Which condition is most likely to cause a series PV string to produce
substantially less current than expected?
A. One module experiencing significant shading
B. Increased sunlight
, C. Lower conductor resistance
D. Proper module cleaning
Answer: One module experiencing significant shading
Rationale: In a series string, current is constrained by the module or condition
limiting the string. Shading can substantially reduce string output and may
activate bypass-diode behavior.
8. What is the purpose of bypass diodes in PV modules?
A. Increase utility voltage
B. Provide an alternate current path around shaded or damaged cell groups
C. Ground the array
D. Disconnect the inverter from the grid
Answer: Provide an alternate current path around shaded or damaged cell
groups
Rationale: Bypass diodes reduce the effects of localized shading and help limit
excessive reverse bias and hot-spot conditions within affected cell groups.
9. What should determine the required PV disconnecting means?
A. The contractor's preference alone
B. Applicable code requirements, equipment ratings, system design, and AHJ
requirements
C. Module appearance
D. The customer's preferred switch color
Answer: Applicable code requirements, equipment ratings, system design, and
AHJ requirements
Rationale: Disconnecting requirements depend on the system configuration,
equipment, conductor arrangement, code provisions, and local enforcement
requirements.
