Unit 1 – Solar Thermal Systems

1. A pyrometer is used for the measurements of

a. Diffused radiations only.

b. Direct radiations only.
c. Both direct and diffused radiations.
d. None of the above

ANSWER: c. Both direct and diffused radiations.

2. Reflector mirrors used for exploiting the solar energy are called

a. Mantle.
b. Heliostats.
c. Diffusers.
d. Ponds.

ANSWER: b. Heliostats.

3. The function of a solar collector is of converting solar energy into

a. Radiations
b. Electrical energy directions.
c. Thermal energy.
d. All of these

ANSWER: c. Thermal energy.

4. What are pyrheliometers?

a. Instruments measures beam radiations

b. Diffuse radiations.
c. Direct radiations only.
d. None of the above

ANSWER: a. Instruments measures beam radiations

5. Temperature attained by cylindrical parabolic collector is of the order of

a. 50 – 100 °C
b. 100 – 150 °C
c. 150 – 200 °C
d. 200 – 300 °C
ANSWER: d. 200 – 300 °C

6. In a solar collector, why is the transparent cover provide for?

a. Protect the collector from dust.

b. Reduce the heat losses from collector beneath to atmosphere.
c. Transmit solar radiation only
d. All of the above.

ANSWER: d. All of the above

7. In the paraboloid dish concept, the concentrator tracks the sun by rotating about

A One axes
B Two axes
C Three axes
D None of the above

Answer: Two axes

8. Which of the following type of collector is used for low temperature systems?

A Flat plate collector

B Line focussing parabolic collector
C Paraboloid dish collector
D All of the above

Answer: Flat plate collector

9. Maximum efficiency is obtained in

A Flat plate collector

B Evacuated tube collector
C Line focussing collector
D Paraboloid dish collector

Answer: Paraboloid dish collector

10. The collection efficiency of Flat plate collector can be improved by

A putting a selective coating on the plate

B evacuating the space above the absorber plate
C both (A) and (B)
D None of the above

Answer: C. both A and B

11. A liquid flat plate collector is usually held tilted in a fixed position, facing _____ if located in
the northern hemisphere.
A North
B South
C East
D West

Answer: South

12. The function of a solar collector is to convert.......

A.Solar Energy into Electricity

B.Solar Energy radiation
C.Solar Energy into thermal energy
D.Solar Energy mechanical energy

Answer: Solar Energy into thermal energy

13. Flat plate collector absorbs.......

A.Direct radiation only

B.Diffuse radiation only
C.Direct and diffuse both
D.All of the above

Answer: C.Direct and diffuse both

14. Temperature attained by a flat-plate collector is of the........

A.Order of about 900C

B.Range of 1000C to 1500C
C.Above 1500C
D.None of the above

Answer: A.Order of about 900C

15. To how many types are flat plate collectors divided depending on type of heat transfer fluid?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

Answer: a

Explanation: Based on the type of heat transfer fluid, flat plate collectors are divided into two
types, they are Liquid Heating Collectors and Air or gas heating collectors. And also happens
that all other types of collectors come under these two types.
16. For what purpose are Gas heating collectors used?
a) To trap solar radiance
b) To act as a medium to help in conversion of sunlight to electrical energy
c) Employed as solar air heaters
d) They act as alternate panels in case of failure

Answer: c

Explanation: Air or Gas heating collectors are employed as solar air heaters. Solar air heater is a
type of system driving outdoor air through a sealed, sun heated collector mounted on an exterior
wall or roof, returning the warmed air back to the living space.

17. Liquid heating collectors are mainly used for _________

a) heating water

b) generating electricity

c) cooking

d) trapping sunlight

Answer: a

Explanation: Liquid heating collectors are mainly used for heating water. A liquid based solar
collector is a solar collector that uses sunlight to heat a liquid that is circulating in a solar loop.
The fluid in the solar loop may be water, an anti-freeze mixture or thermal oil

18. _______is a glazing which limits the radiation and convection heat losses.
a) Absorber plate
b) Selective surface
c) Insulation
d) Transparent cover

Answer: d

Explanation: A transparent cover is glazing which limits the radiation and heat convection losses.
It includes one or more sheets of glass or radiation transmitting plastic film or sheet. The glass
itself is always a single pane adding to adding the second reduces the collector efficiency.

19. What are provided to minimize heat loss?

a) Absorber plate
b) Surface plate
c) Insulation
d) Casing

Answer: c

Explanation: Insulation is provided at the back and sides to minimize heat losses. Fiber glass or
styro-foam is used for this purpose. And also most modern collectors use standard insulators
such as polyurethane or polyisocynurate.

20. Which part of flat plate collectors is coated in black?

a) Transparent cover
b) Absorber plate
c) Insulation
d) Fins

Answer: b

Explanation: Absorber plate is usually metallic or coated in black surface which is used for
absorbing radiation energy. The absorber plate’s coating directly affects how efficient the
collector is. Coatings always have two rating figures: how much they absorb and how much they
emit.

21. The frame which contains all the parts is called __________

a) box
b) plate
c) enclose
d) container

Answer: d

Explanation: Container is used to enclose the other components to protect them from weather.
These containers are made of extruded aluminum which can be quite heavy and thick for heavy
duty collectors. There are some collectors which are enclosed by fiber glass too.

22. In which collector does air flow without any obstruction?

a) Porous absorber plate

b) Non-porous absorber plate
c) Over lapped glass absorber
d) Finned absorber

Answer: b
Explanation: In a simple flat plate air collector, commonly known as non-porous absorbers, the
air stream flow through the absorber plate without any obstruction. An analysis of black painted
solar air collectors in conventional design in which the air flows below the absorber plate has
been made.

23. In which absorber matrix material is arranged and the back absorber plate is eliminated?

a) Porous absorber plate

b) Non-porous absorber plate
c) Over lapped glass absorber
d) Finned absorber

Answer: a

Explanation: In the porous bed air heater, the matrix material is arranged and the back absorber
plate is eliminated. A single glazed porous bed collector with a reflecting honey comb, extending
above the porous to just under the glass cover have theoretically examined.

24. Which type of absorber increases the heat transfer area over a simple flat plate absorber of
the same capacity?

a) Porous absorber plate

b) Non-porous absorber plate
c) Over lapped glass absorber
d) Finned absorber

Answer: d

Explanation: The finned plate absorber increases the heat transfer area over a simple flat
absorber of same capacity. A good design of a finned absorber can increase the heat transfer rate.
The temperature difference between the absorber plate and air is very low.

25. In which type of absorber plate is the overall flow direction is along the absorber glass plate?

a) Overlapped glass absorber

b) Finned absorber
c) Non-porous absorber plate
d) Porous absorber plate

Answer: a

Explanation: In overlapped absorber plate, overall flow direction is along the absorber glass plate
instead of being across the matrix. Plate and air stream temperature increase gradually along the
collector length and across from top to bottom.
26. How is heat loss over come in liquid plate collectors?

a) By insulation
b) By casing
c) By the transparent cover
d) From provided tubes

Answer: a

Explanation: Heat is transferred from the absorber plate to a point of use by the circulating fluid
via water across the solar heated surface. The heat loss from the surface is prevented by placing
thermal insulation of 5 to 10cm thickness behind the absorber plate.

27. The power from the sun intercepted by the earth is approximately

A 1.8 x 108 MW
B 1.8 x 1011 MW
C 1.8 x 1014 MW
D 1.8 x 1017 MW

Answer: 1.8 x 1011 MW

28. Direct Solar energy is used for

A Water heating
B Distillation
C Drying
D All of the above

Answer: All of the above

29. Which of the following is not a concentrating type collector?

A. Parabolic Trough Collector

B. Parabolic Dish Collector
C. Flat Plate Collector
D. None of the Above

Answer – B. Flat Plate Collector

30. Identify the nearby collector

A. Fresnel Lens Collector

B. Flat Plate Collector
C. Paraboloid Dish Collector
D. Parabolic Trough Collector
Answer- B. Flat Plate Collector

31. Identify the nearby collector

A. Fresnel Lens Collector

B. Flat Plate Collector
C. Paraboloid Dish Collector
D. Parabolic Trough Collector

Answer- D. Parabolic Trough Collector

32. Identify the nearby collector

A. Fresnel Lens Collector

B. Flat Plate Collector
C. Paraboloid Dish Collector
D. Parabolic Trough Collector

Answer- C. Paraboloid Dish Collector

33. Identify the nearby collector

A. Linear Fresnel Reflector

B. Flat Plate Collector
C. Paraboloid Dish Collector
D. Parabolic Trough Collector

Answer- A. Linear Fresnel Reflector

34. Identify the adjacent solar application.

A. Solar Still
B. Solar Tower
C. Solar Cell
D. Solar Cooker

Anwer – A. Solar Still

35. Identify the adjacent solar application.

A. Solar Still
B. Solar Tower
C. Solar Cell
D. Solar Cooker

Anwer – B. Solar Tower

36. Identify the adjacent solar application.

A. Solar Still
B. Solar Tower
C. Solar Cell
D. Solar Cooker

Anwer – D. Solar Cooker

37. What are the types of concentrated collectors?

A. Point Focusing
B. Line Focusing
C. Both A & B
D. None of the Above

Answer – C. Both A & B

38. Which of the following is line focusing collector?

A. Linear Fresnel Reflector

B. Flat Plate Collector
C. Paraboloid Dish Collector
D. Parabolic Trough Collector

Answer – D. Parabolic Trough Collector

39. Which of the following is used to purify the dirty water?

A. Solar Still
B. Solar Tower
C. Solar Cell
D. Solar Cooker

Answer – A. Solar Still

40. Flat plate collector can utilize____

A. Diffuse radiations
B. Beam radiations
C. Both A & B
D. None of the above

Answer – C. Both A & B

41. In case of focusing collectors_____utilized.

A. Diffuse radiations
B. Beam radiations
C. Both A & B
D. None of the above

Answer – B. Beam radiation

42. Concentration ratio of Paraboloidal dish collector is___

A. of the order 10
B. of order of 100
C. of order of 1,000
D. of order of 10,000

Answer- D. of order of 10,000

43. In line focusing concentrator, the absorber is___

A. Small Volume
B. Pipe
C. Tank
D. Boiler

Answer- B. Pipe

44. Sloping cover of solar still is made up of what?

A. Plastic
B. Glass
C. Either A or B
C. Neither A or B

Answer – C. Either A or B

45. Identify the adjacent Instrument.

A. Pyranometer
B. Pyrheliometer
C. Sunshine recorder
D. None of the above

Answer- A. Pyranometer

46. Identify the adjacent Instrument.

A. Pyranometer
B. Pyrheliometer
C. Sunshine recorder
D. None of the above

Answer- A. Pyrheliometer
47. Identify the adjacent Instrument.

A. Pyranometer
B. Pyrheliometer
C. Sunshine recorder
D. None of the above

Answer- A. Sunshine Recorder

48. Which is from the following is not a point focusing concentrator?

A. Parabolic Trough Collector

B. Parabolic Dish Collector
C. Mirror-strip Solar Collector
D. Fresnel Lens Collector

Answer- Parabolic Trough Collector

49. Identify Adjacent Collector.

A. Parabolic Trough Collector

B. Parabolic Dish Collector
C. Mirror-strip Solar Collector
D. Fresnel Lens Collector

Answer- Mirror-strip Collector

50. In non-focusing type collectors:

A. Absorber area is less than collector area

B. Absorber area is more than collector area
C. Absorber area is same as collector area
D. There is no such relation

Answer- C. Absorber area is same as collector area