SOLAR RSI QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
What is system availability when sizing a system? - Answers Percentage of time over a year the
system meets load requirements
When selecting a battery bank what determines its required capacity? - Answers The autonomy
period during the critical month.
What is the fine balance required when sizing a stand alone system? - Answers Supply vs
Demand
In critical design, the ratio of energy demand to insulation is found how often? - Answers Each
month
In a hybid system design what is the typical range of solar to engine generator ratios? - Answers
90% PV 10% Generator
When selecting an inverter what load should the inverter be rated for? - Answers Slightly higher
than the largest AC load
What are the main limitations when sizing an interactive system? - Answers Space for the array
and customers budget
In system sizing what is the simplest type of PV system to size? - Answers Utility Interactive
When sizing a Bi Modal system which loads should you consider? - Answers Critical loads
The percentage of the time the load is operating is called - Answers Duty cycle
When PV modules are substituted for regular building materials this mounting is called? -
Answers Building integrated
Which building mounting systems are used most commonly? - Answers Direct, Rock and stand
off mounted
What is the advantage of self ballasting mounts? - Answers No roofing penetrations
What is the term for electro mechanical reaction between 2 metals corroding the weaker metal.
- Answers Galvanic Corrosion
Which tracking system gains the most solar irradiance regardless of cost? - Answers 2 Axis
What structural loads do we consider when designing a PV array? - Answers Gravity,
Environmental, and Mechanical loads
Why is it important to keep the array modules cool? - Answers Array will last longer and operate
more efficiently
, The safest and most practical means to access equipment and wiring is called? - Answers
Accessibility
What applications are appropriate for pole mounted systems? - Answers Ground mounted
system with shading potential
Which materials are best used for mechanical BOS? - Answers Hot dipped galvanized or coated
steel, stainless steel 316 and 403, and aluminum 6061 and 6063
When there are more than 3 current carrying wires in a conduit longer than 24"? - Answers
Further derate the conductor ampacity
When can the max inverter current exceed nominal ratings for battery based systems? -
Answers When the highest input current is matched with the lowest inverter operating voltage.
What is a PV combiner used for? - Answers A parallel connection point for 2 or more array
series
What correction factor would you use to determine Maximum PV circuit current? - Answers
125% (1.25)
What current carrying connections does not need to be made with a junction box? - Answers
Special connectors attached from module to module.
What correction factor is used to calculate PV maximum output voltage per NEC? - Answers
Low temp correction factor.
The word used for a current a wire can carry without exceeding its temperature rating? -
Answers Ampacity
What properties define the material of a wires insulation? - Answers Temperature, Environment,
and Location
What effects the wire ampacity? - Answers Temperature, AWG and current
Where are the low temperature corrections found for calculating VOC for an array? - Answers
Module manufacture specs and NEC 690.7
What parts of a PV system are typically grounded? - Answers AC, DC and Array
What type of connectors are used to ground an Array? - Answers A ground wire is attached to a
plated copper lug with stainless steel hardware.
What safety devices can be installed to protect PV systems? - Answers Lightning Protection and
Surge Arrestors
What does grounding do? - Answers Protect people and equipment, Dissipate surges and
What is system availability when sizing a system? - Answers Percentage of time over a year the
system meets load requirements
When selecting a battery bank what determines its required capacity? - Answers The autonomy
period during the critical month.
What is the fine balance required when sizing a stand alone system? - Answers Supply vs
Demand
In critical design, the ratio of energy demand to insulation is found how often? - Answers Each
month
In a hybid system design what is the typical range of solar to engine generator ratios? - Answers
90% PV 10% Generator
When selecting an inverter what load should the inverter be rated for? - Answers Slightly higher
than the largest AC load
What are the main limitations when sizing an interactive system? - Answers Space for the array
and customers budget
In system sizing what is the simplest type of PV system to size? - Answers Utility Interactive
When sizing a Bi Modal system which loads should you consider? - Answers Critical loads
The percentage of the time the load is operating is called - Answers Duty cycle
When PV modules are substituted for regular building materials this mounting is called? -
Answers Building integrated
Which building mounting systems are used most commonly? - Answers Direct, Rock and stand
off mounted
What is the advantage of self ballasting mounts? - Answers No roofing penetrations
What is the term for electro mechanical reaction between 2 metals corroding the weaker metal.
- Answers Galvanic Corrosion
Which tracking system gains the most solar irradiance regardless of cost? - Answers 2 Axis
What structural loads do we consider when designing a PV array? - Answers Gravity,
Environmental, and Mechanical loads
Why is it important to keep the array modules cool? - Answers Array will last longer and operate
more efficiently
, The safest and most practical means to access equipment and wiring is called? - Answers
Accessibility
What applications are appropriate for pole mounted systems? - Answers Ground mounted
system with shading potential
Which materials are best used for mechanical BOS? - Answers Hot dipped galvanized or coated
steel, stainless steel 316 and 403, and aluminum 6061 and 6063
When there are more than 3 current carrying wires in a conduit longer than 24"? - Answers
Further derate the conductor ampacity
When can the max inverter current exceed nominal ratings for battery based systems? -
Answers When the highest input current is matched with the lowest inverter operating voltage.
What is a PV combiner used for? - Answers A parallel connection point for 2 or more array
series
What correction factor would you use to determine Maximum PV circuit current? - Answers
125% (1.25)
What current carrying connections does not need to be made with a junction box? - Answers
Special connectors attached from module to module.
What correction factor is used to calculate PV maximum output voltage per NEC? - Answers
Low temp correction factor.
The word used for a current a wire can carry without exceeding its temperature rating? -
Answers Ampacity
What properties define the material of a wires insulation? - Answers Temperature, Environment,
and Location
What effects the wire ampacity? - Answers Temperature, AWG and current
Where are the low temperature corrections found for calculating VOC for an array? - Answers
Module manufacture specs and NEC 690.7
What parts of a PV system are typically grounded? - Answers AC, DC and Array
What type of connectors are used to ground an Array? - Answers A ground wire is attached to a
plated copper lug with stainless steel hardware.
What safety devices can be installed to protect PV systems? - Answers Lightning Protection and
Surge Arrestors
What does grounding do? - Answers Protect people and equipment, Dissipate surges and
