ERAC ERAC Renewable Energy Systems & Technologies 1

Question 1

What does the capacity factor of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system represent?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The efficiency rating of individual solar panels

Answer

The percentage of sunlight converted to electricity

Answer

The installed capacity in kilowatts

Question 2

Which US federal incentive provides a tax credit equal to a percentage of the cost of installing solar, wind, and other eligible renewable energy systems?

Accepted Answer

Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Answer

Production Tax Credit (PTC)

Answer

Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)

Answer

Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

Question 3

In a wind energy assessment, what is the significance of the 'Weibull distribution'?

Accepted Answer

It statistically describes the frequency distribution of wind speeds at a site

Answer

It models electricity price fluctuations in wholesale markets

Answer

It calculates the structural load capacity of wind turbine towers

Answer

It measures blade efficiency at varying angles of attack

Question 4

What is 'net metering' in the context of on-site renewable energy?

Accepted Answer

A billing arrangement allowing excess renewable energy to be exported to the grid in exchange for credits

Answer

Measuring net energy consumption after subtracting renewable generation

Answer

Installing separate meters for renewable and grid-supplied electricity

Answer

A technique for optimizing battery storage charging schedules

Question 5

Which metric is most commonly used to evaluate the economic performance of a renewable energy project over its lifetime?

Accepted Answer

Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)

Answer

Simple Payback Period

Answer

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) only

Answer

Net Present Value at year one

Question 6

In a geothermal heat pump system, what is the 'Coefficient of Performance' (COP) measuring?

Accepted Answer

The ratio of heating or cooling output to electrical energy input

Answer

The ratio of ground temperature to ambient air temperature

Answer

The percentage of ground loop fluid that is refrigerant

Answer

The depth of borehole relative to building heating load