Renewable Energy Technologies Flashcards
7 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Renewable Energy Technologies flashcards as text
Which US federal incentive allows renewable energy project owners to deduct a percentage of system cost from federal taxes in the year the system is placed in service?
Answer: Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows project owners to deduct a percentage of eligible renewable energy system costs directly from their federal tax liability.
What is 'net metering' in residential solar PV systems?
Answer: Crediting customers for excess electricity exported to the grid
Net metering credits residential solar owners for surplus electricity sent to the grid, which offsets their future electricity bills.
What is the main advantage of bifacial solar panels over monofacial panels?
Answer: They capture reflected light on the rear surface for higher yield
Bifacial panels generate additional electricity by absorbing albedo (reflected) light on their rear surface, increasing total energy yield.
What is a 'virtual power plant' (VPP) in the context of distributed renewable energy?
Answer: A cloud-based aggregation of distributed generators and storage units controlled as a single entity
A VPP aggregates distributed energy resources—solar, storage, demand response—and controls them collectively to provide grid services like a conventional power plant.
Which wave energy converter (WEC) design uses the relative motion between a floating body and a fixed or slowly moving reference to generate electricity?
Answer: Point absorber buoy
Point absorber buoys harness the heave and surge motion of ocean waves relative to a fixed mooring or seabed anchor to drive a linear or rotary generator.
What does 'soiling loss' refer to in a solar PV system performance analysis?
Answer: Reduction in output caused by dust, dirt, or debris on panel surfaces
Soiling losses occur when dust, pollen, bird droppings, or other debris accumulate on PV panel surfaces, reducing light transmission and power output.
In a pumped hydropower storage system, what determines the amount of energy that can be stored?
Answer: The volume of water and the vertical head between upper and lower reservoirs
Stored energy in pumped hydro equals the product of water mass, gravitational acceleration, and vertical head (height difference) between reservoirs.