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Renewable Energy Systems Flashcards

7 cards from real CEM 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 Systems flashcards as text

  1. What is the typical efficiency range of commercial silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar panels under standard test conditions?

    Answer: 15–22%

    Commercial silicon PV panels typically achieve 15–22% efficiency under standard test conditions (STC) of 1,000 W/m² and 25°C.

  2. Wind turbine power output is proportional to which mathematical relationship with wind speed?

    Answer: Cubic (speed³)

    Wind turbine power output is proportional to the cube of wind speed (P ∝ v³), meaning doubling wind speed increases power output eightfold.

  3. What does 'capacity factor' mean for a renewable energy system?

    Answer: The ratio of actual energy produced to the maximum possible energy output over a period

    Capacity factor is the ratio of actual energy produced over a time period to the energy that would have been produced if the system operated at full rated capacity for the same period.

  4. What is net metering in the context of a grid-tied solar energy system?

    Answer: A billing arrangement where excess electricity exported to the grid earns credits on the customer's utility bill

    Net metering allows solar system owners to export surplus electricity to the utility grid and receive bill credits at the retail rate for that exported energy.

  5. Which renewable energy technology harnesses the Earth's internal heat to generate electricity or provide direct heating?

    Answer: Geothermal

    Geothermal energy extracts heat stored within the Earth, using steam or hot water from underground reservoirs to drive turbines or provide direct space and process heat.

  6. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in the United States provides a direct tax credit primarily for which technology?

    Answer: Solar energy system installations

    The federal ITC provides a percentage-based tax credit calculated on the installed cost of solar PV, solar thermal, and other solar energy systems.

  7. Which unit is used to express solar irradiance, representing the instantaneous power of solar radiation striking a surface?

    Answer: Watts per square meter (W/m²)

    Solar irradiance is a power density measure expressed in watts per square meter (W/m²); the standard test condition value used for panel ratings is 1,000 W/m².