Category 2 (2p)
Question 1Question 2Question 3Question 4Question 5Question 6Question 7Question 8Question 9
Question 10
Team A
Team B
Category 1 (3p)
Question 1Question 2Question 3Question 4Question 5Question 6Question 7Question 8Question 9
Question 10
Category 3 (1p)
Question 1Question 2Question 3Question 4Question 5Question 6Question 7Question 8Question 9
Question 10
(Q1) THE HISTORY OF SOLAR ENERGY
Energy from the sun has been used by people for centuries. As early as the
7th century B.C., ancient people used simple magnifying glasses to
concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they would cause wood
to catch fire. The Greeks and Romans use magnifying glasses to burn the
sails of enemy ships. It was first applied to use in 212 B.C., by the Greek
scientist Archimedes. Solar energy was used to defend the harbor of
Syracuse (Sicily) against the Roman fleet. Archimedes used a mirror or
"burning mirror" as they had called it, to set fire to Rome's wooden ships
while standing on shore.
Question 1 (3 points) When was solar energy used to defend the
harbor of Sicily against the Roman fleet?
A. in 240 BC
B. in 220 BC
C. in 212 BC
D. In 222 BC
(Q2) TYPES OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
• Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been
harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-
evolving technologies. Solar energy technologies include solar heating,
solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity and solar architecture,
which can make considerable contributions to solving some of the
most urgent problems the world now faces.
• Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or
active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute
solar energy. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic
panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy. Passive
solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting
materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties,
and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.
Question 2 (3 points)
Photovoltaic panels are characterized as:
A. active solar technologies
B. passive solar technologies
C. both a and b depending on the materials
D. neither a nor b
(Q3) USE OF THERMAL MASS MATERIALS
Thermal mass is any material that can be used to
store heat— heat from the Sun in the case of solar
energy. Common thermal mass materials include
stone, cement and water. Historically they have
been used in arid climates or warm temperate
regions to keep buildings cool by absorbing solar
energy during the day and radiating stored heat to
the cooler atmosphere at night. However they can
be used in cold temperate areas to maintain warmth
as well.
Question 3 (3 points) Which of the following is not a
thermal mass material?
A. stone
B. water
C. cement
D. wind
(Q4) SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF THERMAL MASS
The size and placement of thermal mass
depend on several factors such as climate,
daylighting and shading conditions. When
properly incorporated, thermal mass
maintains space temperatures in a
comfortable range and reduces the need for
auxiliary heating and cooling equipment.
Question 4 (3 points) The size and placement of thermal
mass do not depend on:
A. day lighting
B. climate
C. standard electricity meters
D. shading conditions
A solar panel is a packaged, connected assembly of
photovoltaic cells. The solar panel can be used as a
component of a larger photovoltaic system to generate
and supply electricity in commercial and residential
applications. Each panel is rated by its DC output power
under standard test conditions, and typically ranges
from 100 to 320 watts.
(Q5) The solar panel
Question 5 (3 points)
The DC output power of a typical solar panel ranges from:
A. 100 to 230 watts
B. 100 to 300 watts
C. 100 to 320 watts
D. 100 to 350 watts
A photovoltaic system typically includes an array
of solar panels, an inverter, and sometimes a
battery and or solar tracker and interconnection
wiring.
(Q6) A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
Question 6 (3 points)
A photovoltaic system may include:
A. a battery
B. a solar tracker
C. interconnection wiring
D. all of the above
• Single crystal modules have been around the longest and are the most effective. They are the most efficient (10-17%)
• Poly/Multicrystalline modules are second in line. They are cheaper than single crystal, but run at 9-14% efficiency.
• String ribbon modules are fairly cheap and are 7-8% efficient.
• Thin Film (Amorphous) modules are a thin layer of silicon deposited on top of steel or glass. They are cheap to make, but their efficiency is very low (5-7%).
(Q7) Types of Solar Panels
Question 7 (3 points) The most efficient kind of solar
panel up to now is:
A. Thin film (amorphous modules)
B. Single crystal modules
C. Poly/Multicrystalline modules
D. None of the above
Phaethon, a young man, travels to the Palace of the Sun to meet Apollo and find out if the sun god is in fact his father. Apollo says he is. To prove it, he will give Phaethon anything he wants, swearing by the River Styx that he will grant Phaethon his wildest dream. The boy's dream is to ride Apollo's chariot. Although his father warns him that no god (let alone a human) can control the horses and safely ride the chariot across the sky, Phaethon will not listen. Apollo seems to have no choice but to let his son drive the chariot and watch as the horses run recklessly through the sky, crashing into stars and even setting the earth on fire. To prevent the entire planet from burning, Zeus sends a thunderbolt which kills Phaethon and drives the horses into the sea.
(Q8) Myths about the sun
Question 8 (3 points) The land which caught fire when
Phaethon lost control of the chariot could be:
A. Africa
B. Asia
C. Europe
D. America
(Q9) Solar power
Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaics convert light into electric current using the photoelectric effect. The efficiency of a photovoltaic installation varies by geographic region because the average insolation depends on the average cloudiness and the thickness of atmosphere traversed by the sunlight. It also depends on the path of the sun relative to the panel and the horizon.Panels can be mounted at an angle based on latitude, or solar tracking can be utilized to access even more perpendicular sunlight, thereby raising the total energy output.
Question 9 (3 points) The conversion of sunlight into
electricity is known as:
A. solar energy
B. solar power
C. photoelectric effect
D. none of the above
(Q10) HOW DO SOLAR CELLS WORK?
Solar (or photovoltaic) cells convert the sun’s energy into electricity. They rely on the photoelectric effect: the ability of matter to emit electrons when a light is shone on it.Silicon is what is known as a semi-conductor, meaning that it shares some of the properties of metals and some of those of an electrical insulator, making it a key ingredient in solar cells. Sunlight is composed of miniscule particles called photons, which radiate from the sun. As these hit the silicon atoms of the solar cell, they transfer their energy to loose electrons, knocking them clean off the atoms. The photons could be compared to the white ball in a game of pool, which passes on its energy to the colored balls it strikes.
(Q10) HOW DO SOLAR CELLS WORK?
Freeing up electrons is however
only half the work of a solar cell:
it then needs to herd these stray
electrons into an electric current.
This involves creating an
electrical imbalance within the
cell, which acts a bit like a slope
down which the electrons will
flow in the same direction.
Creating this imbalance is made
possible by the internal
organization of silicon.
Question 10 (3 points) When light hits .........., energy
turns into an electric current:
A. photons
B. electrons
C. silicon
D. metals or insulators
(Q1) Different ways to harness the sun's energy
There are three different ways to harness the sun's energy:
•passive solar,
•active solar
•and photovoltaic systems.
Passive solar is the capturing and storing the suns' energy -
light and heat - without the use of any mechanical devices. As the
solar radiation strikes floors, walls, and other objects within the
room it is converted to heat. A good example of a passive solar
energy system is a greenhouse.
Question 1 (2 points)Passive solar-powered homes
have:
A. photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity
B. sun-capture systems which power generators
C. windows that allow the sun's heat to enter and warm the house
(Q2) Different ways to harness the sun's energy
There are three different ways to harness the sun's energy:
•passive solar,
•active solar
•and photovoltaic systems.
Active solar uses devices to collect, store, and circulate heat
produced from solar energy. Active solar energy technologies
convert sunlight into heat by using a particular energy transfer
fluid. This is most often water or air but can also be a variety of
other substances.
Question 2 (2 points)Active solar-powered homes have:
A. photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity
B. sun-capture systems which power generators
C. windows that allow the sun's heat to enter and warm the house
(Q3) Different ways to harness the sun's energy
There are three different ways to harness the sun's energy:
•passive solar,
•active solar
•and photovoltaic systems.
Photovoltaic systems directly convert sunlight into electricity
using a semiconductor material such as silicon. The electrical
energy from PVs can be stored in batteries for use when there is
no sun (during cloudy days or at night).
Question 3 (2 points)
What are photovoltaic cells made of?
A. thin slices of semiconductor materials
B. thin slices of rubber
C. thin slices of microchips
(Q4) First solar power aircraft In 1981, Paul Macready produced the first solar
powered aircraft. The aircraft used more than
1600 cells, placed on its wings. The aircraft flew
from France to England.
Question 4 (2 points) The first solar power aircraft was
produced in:
A. 1983
B. 1982
C. 1981
(Q5) THE FLIGHT OF SOLAR POWERED AIRCRAFT HELIOS
Helios (the name means sun in Greek) set out from Kauai in the
Hawaiian Islands before 9:00 AM on Monday, August 13, 2001.
Just over seven hours later, it reached 96,500 feet. Flying at
about 25 miles an hour, the mission lasted nearly 17 hours.
Helios had about 62,000 solar cells across the wing. The solar
cells collect energy from the Sun and convert it to electricity,
which runs the 14 small motors. The motors turn the 14
propellers, which are specially designed to pull the aircraft aloft
even in the very thin air that's 18 miles high.
Question 5 (2 points)
How many solar cells were used for the flight of Helios?
A. 65,000
B. 62,000
C. 63,000
(Q6) Solar cell efficiency
The basic PV or solar cell typically produces only a
small amount of power. To produce more power, solar
cells can be connected in series to make a PV module.
Solar cells or more photovoltaic modules form a PV
array. The amount of power solar panels produce is
determined by the quality of the solar panel, solar
cells and technology used in making the solar panel.
Conventional PV solar panels made from silicon wafers
convert about 14 to 17 percent of sunlight into usable
electricity. The latest solar panels that utilize the new
cell can convert into electricity 22 percent of the
sunlight they collect.
Question 6 (2 points) In the latest years solar technology has
advanced and the latest solar panels can
convert into electricity …………… percent
of the sunlight they convert
A. 17
B. 22
C. 25
(Q7) Silicon Silicon, a tetravalent metalloid, is a chemical element with
the symbol Si and atomic number 14. Silicon is the eighth
most common element in the universe by mass, but very
rarely occurs as the pure free element in nature. It is most
widely distributed in dusts, sands, planetoids,
and planets as various forms of silicon dioxide (silica)
or silicates. Over 90% of the Earth's crust is composed
of silicate minerals, making silicon the second most
abundant element in the Earth's crust (about 28% by mass)
after oxygen.
Question 7 (2 points) Silicon is the ……………….. most common
element in the universe by mass
A. eighth
B. second
C. sixth
(Q8) The Photovoltaic module
The heart of every PV system is the array of
photovoltaic modules. Today, the overwhelming
majority of PV modules (more than 95%) are
crystalline silicon, made from the second most
abundant element on earth.
Question 8 (2 points) The Photovoltaic module is
A. a group of photovoltaic cells
B. the photovoltaic generator
C. the inverter
(Q9) TYPES OF SOLAR PANELS
Solar panels work through what is called a photovoltaic
process – where radiation energy is absorbed and
generates electricity (voltaic). Radiation energy is
absorbed by semi conductor cells – normally silicon – and
transformed from photo energy (light) into voltaic (electrical
current).When the sun’s radiation hits a silicon atom, a
photon of light energy is absorbed, ‘knocking off’ an
electron. These released electrons create an electric
current. The electric current then goes to an inverter, which
converts the current from DC (direct current) to AC
(alternating current).The system is then connected to the
mains power or electricity grid.
Question 9 (2 points) Electric current is created when
A. a silicon atom 'knocks off' an electronB. a photon of light energy 'knocks off' an electronC. a solar sell 'knocks off' an electron
(Q10) The first solar cell
During this time several inventions were made that
contributed to the evolution of solar energy use. First
in 1883 the first solar cell was introduced. The cell
was to be wrapped with selenium wafers. Later in
1887 there was the discovery of the ultraviolet ray
capacity to cause a spark jump between two
electrodes. This was done by Heinrich Hertz. Later, in
1891 the first solar heater was created.
Question 10 (2 points) The first solar cell was constructed in:
A. 1839
B. 1891
C. 1883
(Q1) SOLAR CELLS: HISTORY AND USE
Solar cells produce direct current (DC) power which fluctuates
with the sunlight's intensity. For practical use this usually
requires conversion to certain desired voltages or alternating
current (AC), through the use of inverters. Multiple solar cells
are connected inside modules. Modules are wired together to
form arrays, then tied to an inverter, which produces power at
the desired voltage, and for AC, the desired frequency/phase.
Question 1 (1 point)
Solar (photovoltaic) cells produce direct current (DC) power:
True or False?
(Q2) CATEGORIES OF SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy falls into three main categories: solar photovoltaic electricity, passive solar and solar thermal energy. All of them produce energy without releasing pollution particles or chemicals into the air. Photovoltaic cells are often called PVs for short. They absorb sunlight and turn it into electricity without using any moving parts. Instead, they use a chemical reaction to produce energy. Passive solar uses the sun for lighting and heat, also without moving parts. There are different kinds of passive solar devices. Some absorb sunlight and then slowly release it, even after the sun sets. Others simply bring as much light as possible into a room. A window can be a passive solar device. Solar thermal systems also collect the sun's energy, but they use mechanical devices to move water or air across surfaces that have absorbed sunlight to heat them.
Question 2 (1 point) Solar thermal systems don’t
require moving parts to work.
True or False?
(Q3) SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
In a solar power system (also known as a photovoltaic system), power is produced for your home using a 3-part system. Solar panels, usually placed on your roof and facing south in the northern hemisphere, absorb sunlight and convert it into direct current. Mounting systems adjust the angle of your solar panels, to optimize energy absorption. Then an inverter converts the power from direct current to alternating current, making it usable for household appliances.
Question 3 (1 point) The inverter converts the power
from direct current to alternating current
True or False?
(Q4) PV systems performance
While summer has longer days and therefore more hours of direct sunlight, PV systems perform more efficiently at lower temperatures. A clear winter day with sun reflecting off of the snow may potentially produce more energy output than a hot summer day. The best situation is to have your panels face south in the northern hemisphere.
Question 4 (1 point) PV systems perform more
efficiently on a clear winter day than a hot summer day
True or False?
(Q5) PV systems performance
While summer has longer days and therefore more hours of direct sunlight, PV systems perform more efficiently at lower temperatures. A clear winter day with sun reflecting off of the snow may potentially produce more energy output than a hot summer day. The best situation is to have your panels face south in the northern hemisphere.
Question 5 (1 point) In the northern hemisphere, your
PV panels should face East.
True or False?
(Q6) Solar dishes
Solar dishes are efficient at collecting solar energy at very high temperatures. Solar dish/engine systems convert the energy from the sun into electricity at a very high efficiency. Using a mirror array formed into the shape of a dish, the solar dish focuses the sun’s rays onto a receiver. The receiver transmits the energy to an engine, that generates electric power.
Question 6 (1 point) Solar dish/engine systems are
efficient at very high temperatures.
True or False?
(Q7) Solar Power Towers
These systems produce electricity on a large scale. They are unique among solar technologies because they can store energy efficiently and cost effectively. They can operate whenever the customer needs power, even after dark or during cloudy weather.Power towers operate by focusing a field of thousands of mirrors onto a receiver located at the top of a centrally located tower.
Question 7 (1 point) Solar power towers cannot
operate after dark.
True or False?
(Q8) Helios Helios is the god that was associated the most with the Sun. That can be seen in his name, as the heliosphere is a term related to the Sun! Helios is considered to be able to see everywhere, and he labors everyday. He is carried while he sleeps to where his horses and chariot stand until Daphne (Dawn) appears, and then he has no rest until the day is done. Because he could see everywhere, he often revealed lots of secrets to the people they were being kept from! Helios was considered to be fairly mild-tempered, but when faced with certain situations, this was not necessarily true! Once when a huntress told Helios that she could catch a deer that could move as fast as he could, he got so enraged that he turned her into a doe!
Helios fell in love with Leucothoe,
who was the daughter of a king.
Helios took on the shape of her
mother so that he could enter her
home and be with her. However,
the Oceanid Clytia was
desperately in love with Helios.
She spread the story of the he and
Leucothoe everywhere.
Leucothoe's father found out
about and he had her buried alive!
He considered love to be a shame.
How sad!
(Q8) Helios in Love
Question 8 (1 point) Heliosphere is a word related to
the sun.
True or False?
(Q9) Grid-connected PV systems
Many residential systems are connected to the grid
wherever available, especially in developed countries with
large markets. In these grid-connected PV systems, use of
energy storage is optional. In certain applications such as
satellites, lighthouses, or in developing countries, batteries
or additional power generators are often added as back-
ups. Such stand-alone power systems permit operations at
night and at other times of limited sunlight.
Question 9 (1 point) In grid-connected PV systems,
use of energy storage is optional
True or False?
(Q10) HISTORY OF SOLAR ENERGY
In 1839 a major milestone in the evolution of solar energy happened with the defining of the photovoltaic effect. A French scientist by the name Edmond Becquerel discovered this using two electrodes placed in an electrolyte. After exposing it to the light, electricity increased.In 1873, Willoughby Smith discovered photoconductivity of a material known as selenium. The discovery was to be further extended in 1876 when the same man discovered that selenium produces solar energy. Attempts were made to construct solar cells using selenium. The cell did not work out well but an important lesson was learned – that solid could convert light into electricity without heat or moving parts. The discovery laid a strong base for future developments in the history of solar power.
Question 10 (1 point) The first solar cell was
constructed using selenium and the results were positive. It worked out really well.
True or False?
Wrong answer !!!
Right answer !!!