1|Page
VIRGINIA (VA) AESC Alternative Energy
System Exam | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers | Graded A+
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The Virginia Alternative Energy System Contracting (AESC) Exam is a trade-specific, open-
book licensure examination administered by PSI on behalf of the Virginia Department of
Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). This comprehensive 450-question
assessment evaluates a contractor's technical competency and regulatory knowledge required
to safely install, maintain, and design renewable energy systems—including solar photovoltaic,
solar thermal, wind, geothermal, and emerging alternative energy technologies—within
residential and commercial settings. Candidates are tested on critical subject areas including
system design and sizing, National Electrical Code (NEC) Articles 690, 694, 705, and 706,
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) compliance, structural mounting
requirements, energy conservation practices, site assessment methodologies, utility
interconnection and net metering regulations (20VAC5-315), safety standards (OSHA/VOSH fall
protection and electrical safety), battery energy storage systems, thermal system hydronics,
Virginia contractor licensing law, mechanic's liens, and consumer protection statutes.
Successful candidates demonstrate mastery of both the technical trade knowledge and the
business/regulatory framework governing alternative energy contracting in the Commonwealth.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following best defines an "alternative energy system" under Virginia
regulations?
A. Systems using only coal-based power
B. Systems that use fossil fuels and nuclear energy
C. Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal
D. Systems that use municipal water power
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Virginia defines “alternative energy systems” as those deriving
power from renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal rather than fossil
fuels .
QUESTION 2
What license classification covers the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in
Virginia?
,2|Page
A. Class C Residential Building
B. Electrical Journeyman License
C. Alternative Energy Systems Contracting (AES)
D. Master Mechanical License
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The AES license allows contractors to install, repair, and maintain
solar, wind, and other renewable systems in VA .
QUESTION 3
Which of the following agencies regulates contractor licensing in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Energy
B. Virginia State Corporation Commission
C. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
D. U.S. Department of Energy
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: DPOR and the Board for Contractors oversee all contractor
licensing and regulatory compliance in the state .
QUESTION 4
To qualify for a Virginia AES license, which exam must be passed?
A. Only a trade exam
B. Only a business law exam
C. Both the trade exam and the Virginia business law exam
D. Environmental certification exam
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Contractors must pass both the technical (trade-specific) exam
and the Virginia business law exam for licensure .
QUESTION 5
A photovoltaic system converts which form of energy into electricity?
A. Kinetic energy
,3|Page
B. Thermal energy
C. Solar radiation
D. Magnetic field energy
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: PV panels directly convert sunlight (solar radiation) into electrical
energy via the photovoltaic effect .
QUESTION 6
Which safety standard applies to electrical components of solar installations?
A. NFPA 30
B. OSHA 1910.25
C. NEC (National Electrical Code) Article 690
D. UL 486
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC Article 690 specifically governs the installation of
photovoltaic systems and their associated electrical components .
QUESTION 7
The tilt angle of solar panels in Virginia should ideally equal:
A. 0 degrees
B. 15 degrees
C. The site latitude
D. 90 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Setting tilt equal to the local latitude maximizes annual energy
production for fixed-mount arrays .
QUESTION 8
What is the function of an inverter in a PV system?
A. Store DC power
B. Convert DC to AC
, 4|Page
C. Increase voltage
D. Ground the system
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated by
panels into alternating current (AC) for use in homes and the grid .
QUESTION 9
Which code governs structural mounting of solar panels on buildings in Virginia?
A. NEC
B. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC)
C. NESC
D. IEEE 1547
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The VUSBC, which adopts the International Building Code,
governs all structural and building-related aspects of installations .
QUESTION 10
Wind turbines convert:
A. Light into mechanical energy
B. Kinetic energy of wind into electricity
C. Sound into heat energy
D. Static energy into current
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Wind turbines use aerodynamic blades to capture the kinetic
energy of wind and convert it into rotational mechanical energy to drive a generator .
QUESTION 11
The grounding of solar modules helps prevent:
A. Voltage drop
B. Electrical shock and fire hazards
C. Overcurrent only
VIRGINIA (VA) AESC Alternative Energy
System Exam | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers | Graded A+
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The Virginia Alternative Energy System Contracting (AESC) Exam is a trade-specific, open-
book licensure examination administered by PSI on behalf of the Virginia Department of
Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). This comprehensive 450-question
assessment evaluates a contractor's technical competency and regulatory knowledge required
to safely install, maintain, and design renewable energy systems—including solar photovoltaic,
solar thermal, wind, geothermal, and emerging alternative energy technologies—within
residential and commercial settings. Candidates are tested on critical subject areas including
system design and sizing, National Electrical Code (NEC) Articles 690, 694, 705, and 706,
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) compliance, structural mounting
requirements, energy conservation practices, site assessment methodologies, utility
interconnection and net metering regulations (20VAC5-315), safety standards (OSHA/VOSH fall
protection and electrical safety), battery energy storage systems, thermal system hydronics,
Virginia contractor licensing law, mechanic's liens, and consumer protection statutes.
Successful candidates demonstrate mastery of both the technical trade knowledge and the
business/regulatory framework governing alternative energy contracting in the Commonwealth.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following best defines an "alternative energy system" under Virginia
regulations?
A. Systems using only coal-based power
B. Systems that use fossil fuels and nuclear energy
C. Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal
D. Systems that use municipal water power
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Virginia defines “alternative energy systems” as those deriving
power from renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal rather than fossil
fuels .
QUESTION 2
What license classification covers the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in
Virginia?
,2|Page
A. Class C Residential Building
B. Electrical Journeyman License
C. Alternative Energy Systems Contracting (AES)
D. Master Mechanical License
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The AES license allows contractors to install, repair, and maintain
solar, wind, and other renewable systems in VA .
QUESTION 3
Which of the following agencies regulates contractor licensing in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Energy
B. Virginia State Corporation Commission
C. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
D. U.S. Department of Energy
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: DPOR and the Board for Contractors oversee all contractor
licensing and regulatory compliance in the state .
QUESTION 4
To qualify for a Virginia AES license, which exam must be passed?
A. Only a trade exam
B. Only a business law exam
C. Both the trade exam and the Virginia business law exam
D. Environmental certification exam
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Contractors must pass both the technical (trade-specific) exam
and the Virginia business law exam for licensure .
QUESTION 5
A photovoltaic system converts which form of energy into electricity?
A. Kinetic energy
,3|Page
B. Thermal energy
C. Solar radiation
D. Magnetic field energy
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: PV panels directly convert sunlight (solar radiation) into electrical
energy via the photovoltaic effect .
QUESTION 6
Which safety standard applies to electrical components of solar installations?
A. NFPA 30
B. OSHA 1910.25
C. NEC (National Electrical Code) Article 690
D. UL 486
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: NEC Article 690 specifically governs the installation of
photovoltaic systems and their associated electrical components .
QUESTION 7
The tilt angle of solar panels in Virginia should ideally equal:
A. 0 degrees
B. 15 degrees
C. The site latitude
D. 90 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ C
EXPERT RATIONALE: Setting tilt equal to the local latitude maximizes annual energy
production for fixed-mount arrays .
QUESTION 8
What is the function of an inverter in a PV system?
A. Store DC power
B. Convert DC to AC
, 4|Page
C. Increase voltage
D. Ground the system
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated by
panels into alternating current (AC) for use in homes and the grid .
QUESTION 9
Which code governs structural mounting of solar panels on buildings in Virginia?
A. NEC
B. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC)
C. NESC
D. IEEE 1547
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The VUSBC, which adopts the International Building Code,
governs all structural and building-related aspects of installations .
QUESTION 10
Wind turbines convert:
A. Light into mechanical energy
B. Kinetic energy of wind into electricity
C. Sound into heat energy
D. Static energy into current
CORRECT ANSWER: ✓ ✓ B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Wind turbines use aerodynamic blades to capture the kinetic
energy of wind and convert it into rotational mechanical energy to drive a generator .
QUESTION 11
The grounding of solar modules helps prevent:
A. Voltage drop
B. Electrical shock and fire hazards
C. Overcurrent only
