Solution for Assignment 1

MOOC: Solar Energy Engineering and Technology

Total no of questions: 11

Q1. Chemical energy can be directly converted into electrical energy using?

a. Heat Engines

b. Power plant

c. Fuel Cell

d. Combustion

Correct Answer: c

Explanation: From NPTEL lecture

Q2. A 1MW power plant operates for 70% of its time in a year. The amount of energy
generated in KWh is?

a. 380,078
b. 255,500
c. 87,60000
d. 6132000

Correct Answer: d

Explanation: Energy generated per year = 1000(kW) x 0.7*365*24 (h) = 6132000 kWh

Q3. Which law of thermodynamics defines quality of energy?

a. 0th law of thermodynamics

b. 1st law of thermodynamics
c. 2nd law of thermodynamics
d. 3rd law of thermodynamics

Correct Answer: c

Explanation: 2nd law of thermodynamics defines quality of energy using the property of
entropy.
Q4. Swanson’s law tells us that:

a. Price of solar PV modules remains constant for every doubling of cumulative

shipped volume
b. Price of solar PV modules grows by 20% constantly for every doubling of
cumulative shipped volume
c. Price of solar PV modules drops by 10% constantly for every doubling of
cumulative shipped volume
d. Price of solar PV modules drops by 20% constantly for every doubling of
cumulative shipped volume

Correct Answer: d

Explanation: From NPTEL lecture

Q5. To compensate the pressure drop in solar air heater, the following is done:

a. Nozzle is fitted at the inlet °

b. U tube manometer is connected across the inlet and outlet
c. Air passage is made larger
d. None of the above

Correct Answer: c

Explanation: Larger air passage means a larger mass flow rate, which helps to
compensate for pressure drop. (Alternatively: From Bernoulli’s principle, Pressure is
inversely proportional to velocity, a larger area means low velocity)

Q6. When the sun is directly overhead, the value of the zenith angle is

a. 0
b. 1
c. 1.5
d. 48.2

Correct Answer: a
Explanation: From NPTEL Lecture

Q7. The value of solar constant (watts per square meter) in the extraterrestrial region is

a. 1367
b. 1267
c. 1167
d. 1000

Correct Answer: a

Explanation: From NPTEL Lecture

Q8. Absorption of solar radiations at earth’s surface occurs due to the presence of

a. Ozone
b. Water vapors
c. Carbon dioxide
d. All of the above

Correct Answer: d

Explanation: From NPTEL Lecture

Q9. The solar radiation falls at the Earth’s surface includes:

1. Direct radiation that has passed through the atmosphere

2. Diffuse radiation from the sky
3. Absorbed radiation from the water

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a. 1 only
b. 1 and 2
c. 1, 2 and 3
d. 2 and 3

Correct Answer: b

Explanation: Global radiation (Ig) = Diffuse radiation (Id) + Beam/Direct radiation (Ib)
Q10. The portion of the radiation spectrum emitted by the sun in the wavelength
between 0.4 µm and 0.7 µm is called

a. Ultraviolet radiation
b. Visible radiation
c. Infrared radiation
d. None of the above

Correct Answer: b

Explanation: From NPTEL Lecture

Q11. The sun subtends an angle of _______(degree) at the earth’s surface.

a. 0.53o
b. 23.5o
c. 32.5o
d. -23.5o

Correct Answer: a

Explanation: From NPTEL Lecture