CAP Renewable Energy Technologies 2

Question 1

What is the primary greenhouse gas emission source associated with the manufacturing of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) panels?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide from energy-intensive purification processes

Answer

Manufacturing crystalline silicon PV panels requires high-temperature processes for silicon purification that are energy-intensive and historically powered by fossil fuels, making CO₂ the dominant emission.

Question 2

Which capacity factor range best represents a typical onshore wind farm in the United States?

Accepted Answer

25–45%

Answer

US onshore wind farms typically achieve capacity factors of 25–45%, reflecting the intermittent nature of wind resources and turbine efficiency.

Question 3

In carbon auditing of a utility-scale solar farm, which lifecycle phase typically contributes the LEAST to total lifecycle GHG emissions?

Accepted Answer

Operational phase

Answer

Solar PV systems produce negligible operational emissions since sunlight is free and no fuel combustion occurs during electricity generation.

Question 4

A carbon auditor is assessing a biomass power plant that co-fires with coal. Which emission accounting approach correctly handles the biogenic CO₂ from biomass combustion under GHG Protocol?

Accepted Answer

Exclude biogenic CO₂ from Scope 1 but report it separately

Answer

GHG Protocol requires biogenic CO₂ from biomass combustion to be reported separately from Scope 1 fossil CO₂, not included in the Scope 1 total.

Question 5

What does a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with renewable energy attributes allow a corporate buyer to claim under Scope 2 market-based accounting?

Accepted Answer

Zero Scope 2 emissions for the contracted renewable electricity volume

Answer

Under market-based Scope 2 accounting, a PPA with bundled RECs allows the buyer to claim zero emission factor for the contracted renewable electricity volume.

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

(CAP) Certified Carbon Auditing Professional Practice Test

CAP Renewable Energy Technologies 2