VIRGINIA SOLAR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR EXAM: 200
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
DETAILED RATIONALES
1. Under Virginia DPOR regulations, which specialty license is
specifically required for installing solar photovoltaic systems annexed
to real property?
A) Class A Residential Building
B) Electrical Journeyman
C) Alternative Energy System (AES) Contracting
D) HVAC Mechanical
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The AES specialty covers installation, repair, and
improvement of renewable energy generation systems annexed to real
property. It does not independently authorize electrical, plumbing, gas-
fitting, or HVAC functions.
2. A grid-tied PV system's inverter is primarily responsible for which
function?
A) Storing excess energy
B) Converting DC to AC
C) Measuring irradiance
D) Physically tracking the sun
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The inverter converts the direct current (DC) produced by PV
modules into alternating current (AC) usable by the building or grid.
,3. A PV array has four modules in series, each with a maximum-power
voltage (Vmp) of 40 V. What is the approximate array voltage at
maximum power?
A) 40 V
B) 80 V
C) 160 V
D) 10 V
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a series circuit, voltages add. 4 modules × 40 V = 160 V.
4. According to NEC 690.12, rapid shutdown is required for PV systems
on buildings. What must rapid shutdown accomplish within the array
boundary?
A) Disconnect the utility supply
B) Reduce voltage to 30 V or less within 30 seconds
C) Activate the battery backup system
D) Increase inverter efficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NEC 690.12 requires rapid shutdown to reduce conductors
within the array boundary to 30 V or less within 30 seconds of initiation.
5. Which PV cell technology typically offers the highest efficiency
under standard test conditions?
A) Polycrystalline silicon
B) Monocrystalline silicon
C) Thin-film cadmium telluride
D) Amorphous silicon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monocrystalline cells have a more ordered crystal lattice,
,giving them higher efficiency than polycrystalline or thin-film
technologies.
6. What is the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of a PV module?
A) Voltage at maximum power
B) Voltage with no load
C) Voltage under short-circuit
D) Voltage after inversion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voc is measured with the module terminals open (no load)
and represents the maximum possible voltage the module can produce.
7. For a solar PV array on a low-slope roof in Virginia, NEC 690.12
requires what for firefighter safety?
A) Ground-fault protection
B) Arc-fault circuit interruption
C) Rapid shutdown of conductors within 1 foot of the array
D) Combiner box fuses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid shutdown reduces voltage to safe levels within the
array boundary for emergency responders.
8. Which document authorizes an individual to take the Virginia AES
specialty exam?
A) A passing NABCEP certificate
B) A valid electrician journeyman license
C) Pre-approval from DPOR
D) A Class-A contractor license
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: DPOR pre-approval is mandatory; you cannot schedule the
exam without it.
9. An AES contractor is hired to install a grid-tied solar system for a
homeowner. Which permit is most likely required by the local AHJ?
A) Electrical and building permits
B) Only an electrical permit
C) Only a zoning variance
D) No permit needed for grid-tied solar
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Local building departments typically require both an
electrical permit and a building permit for structural integration of solar
systems.
10. A PV module has a nameplate "Voc" of 45 V. What is the open-
circuit voltage?
A) Voltage at maximum power
B) Voltage with no load
C) Voltage under short-circuit
D) Voltage after inversion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voc is measured with the terminals open (no load) and
represents the maximum possible voltage the module can produce.
11. What is the primary function of a photovoltaic cell?
A) Convert AC to DC
B) Convert sunlight directly into electrical energy
C) Store electrical energy
D) Regulate voltage
Correct Answer: B
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
DETAILED RATIONALES
1. Under Virginia DPOR regulations, which specialty license is
specifically required for installing solar photovoltaic systems annexed
to real property?
A) Class A Residential Building
B) Electrical Journeyman
C) Alternative Energy System (AES) Contracting
D) HVAC Mechanical
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The AES specialty covers installation, repair, and
improvement of renewable energy generation systems annexed to real
property. It does not independently authorize electrical, plumbing, gas-
fitting, or HVAC functions.
2. A grid-tied PV system's inverter is primarily responsible for which
function?
A) Storing excess energy
B) Converting DC to AC
C) Measuring irradiance
D) Physically tracking the sun
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The inverter converts the direct current (DC) produced by PV
modules into alternating current (AC) usable by the building or grid.
,3. A PV array has four modules in series, each with a maximum-power
voltage (Vmp) of 40 V. What is the approximate array voltage at
maximum power?
A) 40 V
B) 80 V
C) 160 V
D) 10 V
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a series circuit, voltages add. 4 modules × 40 V = 160 V.
4. According to NEC 690.12, rapid shutdown is required for PV systems
on buildings. What must rapid shutdown accomplish within the array
boundary?
A) Disconnect the utility supply
B) Reduce voltage to 30 V or less within 30 seconds
C) Activate the battery backup system
D) Increase inverter efficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NEC 690.12 requires rapid shutdown to reduce conductors
within the array boundary to 30 V or less within 30 seconds of initiation.
5. Which PV cell technology typically offers the highest efficiency
under standard test conditions?
A) Polycrystalline silicon
B) Monocrystalline silicon
C) Thin-film cadmium telluride
D) Amorphous silicon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monocrystalline cells have a more ordered crystal lattice,
,giving them higher efficiency than polycrystalline or thin-film
technologies.
6. What is the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of a PV module?
A) Voltage at maximum power
B) Voltage with no load
C) Voltage under short-circuit
D) Voltage after inversion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voc is measured with the module terminals open (no load)
and represents the maximum possible voltage the module can produce.
7. For a solar PV array on a low-slope roof in Virginia, NEC 690.12
requires what for firefighter safety?
A) Ground-fault protection
B) Arc-fault circuit interruption
C) Rapid shutdown of conductors within 1 foot of the array
D) Combiner box fuses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid shutdown reduces voltage to safe levels within the
array boundary for emergency responders.
8. Which document authorizes an individual to take the Virginia AES
specialty exam?
A) A passing NABCEP certificate
B) A valid electrician journeyman license
C) Pre-approval from DPOR
D) A Class-A contractor license
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: DPOR pre-approval is mandatory; you cannot schedule the
exam without it.
9. An AES contractor is hired to install a grid-tied solar system for a
homeowner. Which permit is most likely required by the local AHJ?
A) Electrical and building permits
B) Only an electrical permit
C) Only a zoning variance
D) No permit needed for grid-tied solar
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Local building departments typically require both an
electrical permit and a building permit for structural integration of solar
systems.
10. A PV module has a nameplate "Voc" of 45 V. What is the open-
circuit voltage?
A) Voltage at maximum power
B) Voltage with no load
C) Voltage under short-circuit
D) Voltage after inversion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voc is measured with the terminals open (no load) and
represents the maximum possible voltage the module can produce.
11. What is the primary function of a photovoltaic cell?
A) Convert AC to DC
B) Convert sunlight directly into electrical energy
C) Store electrical energy
D) Regulate voltage
Correct Answer: B
