Solar Energy Quiz: MCQ Facts Trivia!

1. The solar arrays on the International Space Station are the largest deployable space structures ever built.

True

False

International Space Station Size & Mass
Module Length: 167.3 feet (51 meters)
Truss Length: 357.5 feet (109 meters)
Solar Array Length: 239.4 feet (73 meters)
Mass: 924,739 pounds (419,455 kilograms)
Habitable Volume: 13,696 cubic feet (388 cubic meters)
Pressurized Volume: 32,333 cubic feet (916 cubic meters)
Power Generation: 8 solar arrays = 84 kilowatts
Lines of Computer Code: approximately 2.3 million

Nasa (2012) Adapted from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/onthestation/facts_and_figures.html#.UkAKKBZLe5c

Explanation

International Space Station Size & Mass
Module Length: 167.3 feet (51 meters)
Truss Length: 357.5 feet (109 meters)
Solar Array Length: 239.4 feet (73 meters)
Mass: 924,739 pounds (419,455 kilograms)
Habitable Volume: 13,696 cubic feet (388 cubic meters)
Pressurized Volume: 32,333 cubic feet (916 cubic meters)
Power Generation: 8 solar arrays = 84 kilowatts
Lines of Computer Code: approximately 2.3 million

Nasa (2012) Adapted from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/onthestation/facts_and_figures.html#.UkAKKBZLe5c

2. Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity are called _______.

Photosynthetic

Photosynthesis

Photovoltaic

Photo-converters

Photovoltaic- Sometimes referred to as "PV devices," or "solar cells," photovoltaic devices are often used in locations that are not hooked up to the electric grid.

Explanation

Photovoltaic- Sometimes referred to as "PV devices," or "solar cells," photovoltaic devices are often used in locations that are not hooked up to the electric grid.

3. What is essential for a rooftop PV system to work?

A battery

A connection to the electric grid

A rheostat

An inverter

An inverter is needed to convert the direct current produced by the solar panels to the alternating current required by most household appliances.

Explanation

An inverter is needed to convert the direct current produced by the solar panels to the alternating current required by most household appliances.

4. If all the energy of the sun shining on the Earth's land mass could be harnessed, it would be enough to meet the world's power needs how many times over?

6 times

60 times

600 times

6000 times

The sunshine on the Earth's land is estimated to be 120,000 terawatts (trillion watts), or about 6,000 times the world's estimated 20-terawatt electricity demand by 2020.

Explanation

The sunshine on the Earth's land is estimated to be 120,000 terawatts (trillion watts), or about 6,000 times the world's estimated 20-terawatt electricity demand by 2020.

5. When was the first discovery that certain metals produced an electric current when exposed to light?

1752

1839

1893

1935

French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel noticed the effect when working with metal electrodes in an electrolyte solution, but he couldn't explain why.

Explanation

French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel noticed the effect when working with metal electrodes in an electrolyte solution, but he couldn't explain why.

6. What country has the most solar PV power, as of 2011?

The United States Of America

China

Germany

Spain

Germany is a world leader, with a cumulative 17,192 megawatts installed by the end of 2010. Spain is second, with 3,784 megawatts. The United States has 2,528 megawatts, behind Italy and Japan. China had 893 megawatts.

Explanation

Germany is a world leader, with a cumulative 17,192 megawatts installed by the end of 2010. Spain is second, with 3,784 megawatts. The United States has 2,528 megawatts, behind Italy and Japan. China had 893 megawatts.

7. What were researchers originally trying to achieve when they developed the first practical photovoltaic (PV) cell in 1954?

A new power source for telephone systems

A power source for remote desert locations

A power source with no carbon dioxide emissions

A power source that allowed households to get off the electrical grid

Researchers at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, were interested in a power source for telephone systems that would not degrade in humid locations.

Explanation

Researchers at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, were interested in a power source for telephone systems that would not degrade in humid locations.

8. After California, which U.S. state has the most solar power installed, as of 2011?

Arizona

Florida

New Jersey

New York

Thanks to strong state policies encouraging renewable energy, solar installations have grown strongly in New Jersey, now with 293 megawatts of installed capacity, second only to California, with 917 megawatts.

Explanation

Thanks to strong state policies encouraging renewable energy, solar installations have grown strongly in New Jersey, now with 293 megawatts of installed capacity, second only to California, with 917 megawatts.

9. In 2010, the United States manufactured ______ percent of the world's solar PV panels?

The birthplace of solar PV technology produced only 6 percent of panels sold in 2010. China was an undisputed leader with 51 percent of the market, followed by Germany with 10 percent, says GTM Research.

Explanation

The birthplace of solar PV technology produced only 6 percent of panels sold in 2010. China was an undisputed leader with 51 percent of the market, followed by Germany with 10 percent, says GTM Research.

Submit

10. Each month, the Earth receives more energy from the Sun than all of mankind could use in an entire year.

True

False

It is actually not each month, but each day! Time to save our usage of energy!

Explanation

It is actually not each month, but each day! Time to save our usage of energy!

11. Photovoltaic solar energy requires:

Water

Connection to the electricity grid

Wiring

Moving parts

Solar PV panels are the only means today of generating electricity without moving parts. True, they require very little water (just enough to keep surfaces clean) and can be used for living off the electricity grid, but the same is true of wind energy.

Explanation

Solar PV panels are the only means today of generating electricity without moving parts. True, they require very little water (just enough to keep surfaces clean) and can be used for living off the electricity grid, but the same is true of wind energy.

Submit