Free NABCEP PV Technical Sales Professional Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is the first step in the PV sales process when engaging with a potential customer?

Accepted Answer

Understanding the customer's energy needs and goals

Answer

The payback period is a widely used financial metric that calculates the time it takes for the savings generated by a PV system to offset its initial installation cost. It provides a straightforward and easily understandable measure of how quickly the investment will be recouped. While other metrics offer deeper financial analysis, the payback period is often the most accessible for initial economic viability assessments.

Question 2

Which financial metric is most commonly used to evaluate the economic viability of a PV system?

Accepted Answer

Payback period

Answer

During a site assessment, performing a shading analysis is critical to identify any potential obstacles, such as trees, chimneys, or adjacent buildings, that could cast shadows on the PV array. Even partial shading can significantly diminish the energy production of an entire string of modules. Identifying these obstacles allows for optimal panel placement and accurate energy yield predictions.

Question 3

When performing a site assessment, why is it important to consider shading analysis?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential obstacles that could reduce system performance

Answer

A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a financing arrangement where a third-party developer owns, operates, and maintains the PV system on a customer's property. The customer then purchases the electricity generated by the system at a predetermined, often lower, fixed rate for a specified term. This allows customers to benefit from solar energy without the upfront cost of ownership.

Question 4

What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in the context of PV systems?

Accepted Answer

A financing arrangement where the customer buys electricity at a fixed rate from a solar provider

Answer

A performance warranty for a PV system guarantees that the modules will produce a certain percentage of their rated power output over a specified period, typically 20-25 years. This warranty protects the customer against premature degradation of the modules' power production capabilities. It ensures the system meets its expected energy generation targets and provides long-term confidence in the investment.

Question 5

In the context of PV system warranties, what does the term "performance warranty" typically refer to?

Accepted Answer

The guarantee of the system's energy production over a specified period

Answer

Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the excess electricity they generate and feed back into the utility grid. When a residential PV system produces more electricity than the home consumes, the surplus is sent to the grid, and the homeowner receives credits on their electricity bill. This incentivizes solar adoption by effectively allowing homeowners to 'store' excess generation with the utility.

NABCEP - North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Practice Test

NABCEP - North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Practice Test

Free NABCEP PV Technical Sales Professional Questions and Answers