Exam Practice Questions And Correct

NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following is the primary function of a solar inverter?
• Store electricity for later use
• Convert DC electricity to AC electricity
• Increase solar panel efficiency
• Regulate sunlight intensity

Rationale: The inverter converts the DC electricity produced by PV modules

into AC electricity suitable for use by the grid or loads.

• What is the typical operating voltage range of residential PV systems in

the U.S.?

A. 12–24 V 1 / 4

B. 48–96 V

C. 120–600 V

D. 1000–1500 V

Rationale: Residential PV systems typically operate within 120–600 V,

which is compatible with standard AC household circuits and inverter input ranges.

• What is the primary purpose of a PV module datasheet?
• Provide installation instructions
• Show warranty information only
• Specify electrical and physical characteristics of the module
• Predict system energy output

Rationale: Datasheets provide technical information such as voltage,

current, power ratings, temperature coefficients, and physical dimensions.

• Which shading scenario has the most negative impact on a PV string?
• Partial shading at the module edge
• Shading of the first cell in a series string
• Shade on a single module’s frame
• Temporary shading from clouds

Rationale: Shading the first cell of a series string reduces current for the

entire string, significantly lowering output.

• What is the typical efficiency range of commercially available crystalline

silicon PV modules?

A. 5–10% 2 / 4

B. 10–15%

C. 15–22%

D. 25–30%

Rationale: Most crystalline silicon modules have efficiencies between 15–

22% under standard test conditions.

• Which factor is most important when determining roof-mounted PV

system layout?

• Roof color
• Roof orientation and tilt
• Roof insulation type
• Roof framing material

Rationale: Proper orientation and tilt maximize energy production by

aligning modules with the sun’s path.

• Which electrical component protects a PV system from lightning-

induced surges?

• Circuit breaker
• Fuse
• Transformer
• Surge protective device (SPD)

Rationale: SPDs protect sensitive components by diverting transient

overvoltages from lightning or switching events.

• What does the term “fill factor” refer to in a PV module?
• The percentage of roof covered by modules 3 / 4

• The ratio of maximum power to the product of open-circuit voltage and

short-circuit current

• The efficiency of the inverter
• The module’s warranty period

Rationale: Fill factor measures the “squareness” of the IV curve and is an

indicator of module quality.

• Which of the following energy storage technologies is most common in

residential PV systems?

• Flywheel
• Lead-acid battery
• Supercapacitor
• Lithium-ion battery

Rationale: Lithium-ion batteries are preferred for residential PV due to

higher energy density, longer life, and smaller footprint.

• Which standard defines the requirements for PV module safety in the

U.S.?

A. NEC 110

B. UL 61730

C. ISO 9001

D. IEEE 1547

Rationale: UL 61730 specifies the safety standards for PV modules to

ensure safe operation and fire resistance.

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