NABCEP PV ASSOCIATE EXAM
2026 EXPERT VERIFED ACE
THE TEST
An off-grid installation has a 1HP pump that is on 10% of the time and a
20W light that is on 100% of the time. What is the monthly energy use? -
ANSWER ✔✔68KWh
1HP = 746W
746W * 0.1 * 24hours * 30days = 53712Wh
20W * 24hrs * 30days = 14400Wh
14400 + 53712 = 68112Wh
,68kWh
What kind of ground faults do most inverters detect? - ANSWER
✔✔DC
Inverters detect dc ground faults. AC ground faults are detected on the
AC side of the inverter at the distribution paned (MSP, load center). Most
inverters are not connected to high or medium voltage. Medium voltage
is thousands of volts, large utility scale inverters are connected to
medium voltage via a transformer
Current carrying ability of a conductor (wire) is called - ANSWER
✔✔Ampacity
According to ohms law and voltage drop, the relationship between
voltage drop and current is - ANSWER ✔✔Proportional. Ohms law: V
= I*R
More current makes more voltage drop. This is a reason why we need a
larger wire with more current, so the wire resistance is less with a larger
wire and there will be less voltage drop.
An array in a hot and dry place is not producing as expected in summer
time. Which of the following is NOT a likely problem:
a) Decreased ac wire size and voltage loss
, b) String size too short
C) String size too long
D) Soiling - ANSWER ✔✔C) String size too short. When it is hot,
voltage can be low. Too long of a string would be a problem when it is
too cold not too hot.
When using a digital multimeter, what is the first thing you should do? -
ANSWER ✔✔Inspect the meter. Always inspect first, look before you
touch
is the worst design error?
A) BIPV on a commercial job
B) A fast-growing tree to the north of an array in Idaho
C) PV at 5-degree tilt at 40 degrees latitude
D) Different tilt angles in a PV source circuit - ANSWER ✔✔D)
Different tilt or azimuth operation within a source circuit is bad. Series
connections should not have different orientations
MPPT is for - ANSWER ✔✔MPPT is maximum power point tracking
and will optimize the energy harnessed from PV. Some inverters have
multiple MPPTs. Charge controllers often, but don't always, have MPPTs
3
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2026 EXPERT VERIFED ACE
THE TEST
An off-grid installation has a 1HP pump that is on 10% of the time and a
20W light that is on 100% of the time. What is the monthly energy use? -
ANSWER ✔✔68KWh
1HP = 746W
746W * 0.1 * 24hours * 30days = 53712Wh
20W * 24hrs * 30days = 14400Wh
14400 + 53712 = 68112Wh
,68kWh
What kind of ground faults do most inverters detect? - ANSWER
✔✔DC
Inverters detect dc ground faults. AC ground faults are detected on the
AC side of the inverter at the distribution paned (MSP, load center). Most
inverters are not connected to high or medium voltage. Medium voltage
is thousands of volts, large utility scale inverters are connected to
medium voltage via a transformer
Current carrying ability of a conductor (wire) is called - ANSWER
✔✔Ampacity
According to ohms law and voltage drop, the relationship between
voltage drop and current is - ANSWER ✔✔Proportional. Ohms law: V
= I*R
More current makes more voltage drop. This is a reason why we need a
larger wire with more current, so the wire resistance is less with a larger
wire and there will be less voltage drop.
An array in a hot and dry place is not producing as expected in summer
time. Which of the following is NOT a likely problem:
a) Decreased ac wire size and voltage loss
, b) String size too short
C) String size too long
D) Soiling - ANSWER ✔✔C) String size too short. When it is hot,
voltage can be low. Too long of a string would be a problem when it is
too cold not too hot.
When using a digital multimeter, what is the first thing you should do? -
ANSWER ✔✔Inspect the meter. Always inspect first, look before you
touch
is the worst design error?
A) BIPV on a commercial job
B) A fast-growing tree to the north of an array in Idaho
C) PV at 5-degree tilt at 40 degrees latitude
D) Different tilt angles in a PV source circuit - ANSWER ✔✔D)
Different tilt or azimuth operation within a source circuit is bad. Series
connections should not have different orientations
MPPT is for - ANSWER ✔✔MPPT is maximum power point tracking
and will optimize the energy harnessed from PV. Some inverters have
multiple MPPTs. Charge controllers often, but don't always, have MPPTs
3
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
