Solar Energy Test Questions and
Answers
Why are PV cells highly sophisticated? - Answer- The light hitting the wafer causes
electrons to go from the lower layer to the upper layer, creating the electrical current
What are PV cells made out of? - Answer- Semiconductors, or silicon
Describe what happens when light hits the PV cells - Answer- The absorbed light will
get transferred to the semiconductors where the energy that is generated will knock the
electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely and create a current
How efficient are PV cells? - Answer- A certain amount of solar energy, which is defined
by cell material, is required to knock the electrons loose
What happens when you have too little or too much photons? - Answer- With too little
photons, it will pass right through the cell as if it were transparent. With too many
photons, the extra energy will be lost
What picks up sunlight? - Answer- Solar collector field
Where are solar panels used the most? - Answer- Arizona, New Mexico, and California
What is the concern when it comes to the manufacturing of the PV cells? - Answer-
They are created with lots of toxic materials, chemicals, various solvents, and alcohols
What is the footprint of PV cells? - Answer- The large solar thermal power plants can
harm desert ecosystems if not properly managed and birds and insects can be killed if
they fly into a concentrated beam of sunlight
Do some solar thermal systems use potentially hazardous fluids? - Answer- Yes, and
they have to be properly handled and disposed of
What does maintaining solar panel systems require? - Answer- They will require water
for regular cleaning of their concentrators, receivers, and cooling turbine-generator
Where does solar energy come from? - Answer- Thermonuclear fusion in the Sun
Answers
Why are PV cells highly sophisticated? - Answer- The light hitting the wafer causes
electrons to go from the lower layer to the upper layer, creating the electrical current
What are PV cells made out of? - Answer- Semiconductors, or silicon
Describe what happens when light hits the PV cells - Answer- The absorbed light will
get transferred to the semiconductors where the energy that is generated will knock the
electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely and create a current
How efficient are PV cells? - Answer- A certain amount of solar energy, which is defined
by cell material, is required to knock the electrons loose
What happens when you have too little or too much photons? - Answer- With too little
photons, it will pass right through the cell as if it were transparent. With too many
photons, the extra energy will be lost
What picks up sunlight? - Answer- Solar collector field
Where are solar panels used the most? - Answer- Arizona, New Mexico, and California
What is the concern when it comes to the manufacturing of the PV cells? - Answer-
They are created with lots of toxic materials, chemicals, various solvents, and alcohols
What is the footprint of PV cells? - Answer- The large solar thermal power plants can
harm desert ecosystems if not properly managed and birds and insects can be killed if
they fly into a concentrated beam of sunlight
Do some solar thermal systems use potentially hazardous fluids? - Answer- Yes, and
they have to be properly handled and disposed of
What does maintaining solar panel systems require? - Answer- They will require water
for regular cleaning of their concentrators, receivers, and cooling turbine-generator
Where does solar energy come from? - Answer- Thermonuclear fusion in the Sun
