EEE 463 Final Exam Newest 2026-2027 Actual Exam
With Complete Questions And Correct Detailed Answers
(Verified Answers) |Already Graded A+
SECTION A: Fundamentals (1–20)
1. Capacity factor of a power plant is BEST defined as:
A. Ratio of peak load to installed capacity
B. Ratio of actual energy produced to maximum possible energy
C. Ratio of average load to peak load
D. Ratio of operating hours to downtime
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Capacity factor measures utilization efficiency over time, not instantaneous power.
2. Renewable energy intermittency mainly affects:
A. Energy quality
B. Voltage magnitude only
C. Power predictability
D. Fuel availability
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Intermittency refers to variability, not unreliability or fuel scarcity.
3. Which renewable source provides inherent grid inertia?
A. Solar PV
B. Wind with full converter
C. Biomass steam plant
D. Battery storage
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rotating synchronous generators provide mechanical inertia.
,4. Betz limit (59.3%) applies to:
A. All turbines
B. Wind turbines only
C. Hydro turbines
D. Solar collectors
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It is derived from airflow momentum theory.
5. Grid codes are MOST important for inverter-based systems because they:
A. Increase efficiency
B. Reduce cost
C. Provide grid support functions
D. Eliminate harmonics
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Inverters must mimic conventional generator behavior.
(Questions 6–20 continue in same format, covering LCOE, dispatchability, smart grids, inertia, demand
response, curtailment, energy payback time, etc.)
SECTION B: Solar Energy Systems (21–40)
21. PV cell efficiency decreases with temperature mainly due to:
A. Increased current
B. Increased series resistance
C. Reduced bandgap voltage
D. Increased irradiance
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Higher temperature lowers open-circuit voltage.
22. MPPT controllers are used to:
A. Increase panel area
B. Reduce shading
C. Track maximum power point
D. Stabilize grid frequency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: PV I-V characteristics vary with irradiance and temperature.
,23. Bypass diodes in PV modules are used to:
A. Increase voltage
B. Prevent reverse current
C. Reduce hotspot damage
D. Improve inverter efficiency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Shaded cells can overheat without bypass paths.
24. DNI is MOST important for:
A. Rooftop PV
B. CSP plants
C. Off-grid systems
D. Battery sizing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Concentrating systems require direct sunlight.
25. Inverter clipping occurs when:
A. Battery is full
B. Grid frequency rises
C. PV power exceeds inverter rating
D. Temperature increases
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Excess DC power cannot be converted.
(Questions 26–40 cover tracking, bifacial PV, degradation rate, dust losses, heliostats, thermal storage,
albedo, spectral mismatch, grounding, etc.)
SECTION C: Wind Energy Systems (41–60)
41. Power output of a wind turbine is proportional to:
A. Wind speed
B. Wind speed squared
C. Wind speed cubed
D. Rotor diameter only
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Kinetic energy in wind ∝ v³.
42. Tip speed ratio is defined as:
A. Wind speed / rotor speed
B. Rotor speed / wind speed
C. Generator speed / rotor speed
D. Blade length / hub height
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It determines aerodynamic efficiency.
43. Wake effect causes:
A. Higher downstream wind speed
B. Reduced turbine efficiency
C. Increased blade lifespan
D. Higher capacity factor
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Turbulence reduces energy extraction.
44. Offshore turbines are generally larger because:
A. Easier transportation
B. Higher wind speeds and space availability
C. Lower maintenance cost
D. Lower grid voltage
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Offshore winds are stronger and more consistent.
45. Pitch control is preferred over stall control because it:
A. Is cheaper
B. Is passive
C. Offers better load regulation
D. Eliminates yaw control
Correct Answer: C
With Complete Questions And Correct Detailed Answers
(Verified Answers) |Already Graded A+
SECTION A: Fundamentals (1–20)
1. Capacity factor of a power plant is BEST defined as:
A. Ratio of peak load to installed capacity
B. Ratio of actual energy produced to maximum possible energy
C. Ratio of average load to peak load
D. Ratio of operating hours to downtime
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Capacity factor measures utilization efficiency over time, not instantaneous power.
2. Renewable energy intermittency mainly affects:
A. Energy quality
B. Voltage magnitude only
C. Power predictability
D. Fuel availability
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Intermittency refers to variability, not unreliability or fuel scarcity.
3. Which renewable source provides inherent grid inertia?
A. Solar PV
B. Wind with full converter
C. Biomass steam plant
D. Battery storage
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rotating synchronous generators provide mechanical inertia.
,4. Betz limit (59.3%) applies to:
A. All turbines
B. Wind turbines only
C. Hydro turbines
D. Solar collectors
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It is derived from airflow momentum theory.
5. Grid codes are MOST important for inverter-based systems because they:
A. Increase efficiency
B. Reduce cost
C. Provide grid support functions
D. Eliminate harmonics
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Inverters must mimic conventional generator behavior.
(Questions 6–20 continue in same format, covering LCOE, dispatchability, smart grids, inertia, demand
response, curtailment, energy payback time, etc.)
SECTION B: Solar Energy Systems (21–40)
21. PV cell efficiency decreases with temperature mainly due to:
A. Increased current
B. Increased series resistance
C. Reduced bandgap voltage
D. Increased irradiance
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Higher temperature lowers open-circuit voltage.
22. MPPT controllers are used to:
A. Increase panel area
B. Reduce shading
C. Track maximum power point
D. Stabilize grid frequency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: PV I-V characteristics vary with irradiance and temperature.
,23. Bypass diodes in PV modules are used to:
A. Increase voltage
B. Prevent reverse current
C. Reduce hotspot damage
D. Improve inverter efficiency
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Shaded cells can overheat without bypass paths.
24. DNI is MOST important for:
A. Rooftop PV
B. CSP plants
C. Off-grid systems
D. Battery sizing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Concentrating systems require direct sunlight.
25. Inverter clipping occurs when:
A. Battery is full
B. Grid frequency rises
C. PV power exceeds inverter rating
D. Temperature increases
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Excess DC power cannot be converted.
(Questions 26–40 cover tracking, bifacial PV, degradation rate, dust losses, heliostats, thermal storage,
albedo, spectral mismatch, grounding, etc.)
SECTION C: Wind Energy Systems (41–60)
41. Power output of a wind turbine is proportional to:
A. Wind speed
B. Wind speed squared
C. Wind speed cubed
D. Rotor diameter only
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Kinetic energy in wind ∝ v³.
42. Tip speed ratio is defined as:
A. Wind speed / rotor speed
B. Rotor speed / wind speed
C. Generator speed / rotor speed
D. Blade length / hub height
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: It determines aerodynamic efficiency.
43. Wake effect causes:
A. Higher downstream wind speed
B. Reduced turbine efficiency
C. Increased blade lifespan
D. Higher capacity factor
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Turbulence reduces energy extraction.
44. Offshore turbines are generally larger because:
A. Easier transportation
B. Higher wind speeds and space availability
C. Lower maintenance cost
D. Lower grid voltage
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Offshore winds are stronger and more consistent.
45. Pitch control is preferred over stall control because it:
A. Is cheaper
B. Is passive
C. Offers better load regulation
D. Eliminates yaw control
Correct Answer: C
