SECTION A Attempt all questions in this section List two major milestones in the development of photovoltaic (PV) technology. (2 Mark) b) Identify four factors that affect the availability of the solar resource at a given location. (3 Mark) (5 Marks) c) Identify five factors to consider when sizing a photovoltaic system. (3 Marks) d) State three common applications of photovoltaic systems. 2. a) State three common types of photovoltaic modules and their main characteristics. (3 Marks) (4 Marks) b) List four key steps in the installation of a photovoltaic system. (3 Marks) c) Identify three common maintenance tasks for a photovoltaic system. d) List four safety precautions to consider during photovoltaic installation. (4 Marks) (4 Marks) b) List three factors that influence the efficiency of photovoltaic modules. (3 Marks) 3. a) List fourtypes of batteries commonly used in photovoltaic systems. (6 Marks) c) Name three types of solar charge controllers and briefly describe their differe Marks)

SECTION A<br /><br />1. a) Two major milestones in the development of photovoltaic (PV) technology are:<br /> - The discovery of the photovoltaic effect by Albert Einstein in 1905.<br /> - The development of the first practical solar cell by Bell Labs in 1954.<br /><br />b) Four factors that affect the availability of the solar resource at a given location are:<br /> - Solar irradiance: The amount of solar energy received per unit area.<br /> - Solar duration: The length of time the sun is above the horizon.<br /> - Solar angle: The angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth's surface.<br /> - Atmospheric conditions: Cloud cover, air pollution, and other factors that can block or scatter sunlight.<br /><br />c) Five factors to consider when sizing a photovoltaic system are:<br /> - Energy demand: The amount of electricity needed to power the load.<br /> - System efficiency: The efficiency of the PV modules and other components.<br /> - System configuration: The number and size of the PV modules, inverters, and other equipment.<br /> - Location and orientation: The solar resource available at the installation site.<br /> - Budget and financing: The cost of the system and available funding options.<br /><br />d) Three common applications of photovoltaic systems are:<br /> - Solar power generation for electricity.<br /> - Solar water pumping for irrigation and drinking water.<br /> - Solar lighting for streetlights, outdoor lighting, and solar-powered lamps.<br /><br />2. a) Three common types of photovoltaic modules and their main characteristics are:<br /> - Monocrystalline silicon modules: These are the most efficient and expensive type of PV module, with a typical efficiency of 15-20%.<br /> - Polycrystalline silicon modules: These are less efficient than monocrystalline modules, with a typical efficiency of 12-15%.<br /> - Thin-film modules: These are the least efficient and most affordable type of PV module, with a typical efficiency of 7-13%.<br /><br />b) Four key steps in the installation of a photovoltaic system are:<br /> - Site assessment: Evaluating the solar resource, shading, and other factors to determine the feasibility of the system.<br /> - System design: Sizing the system components and selecting the equipment to meet the energy needs.<br /> - Permitting and approvals: Obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from local authorities.<br /> - Installation and commissioning: Installing the system components and ensuring they are properly connected and functioning.<br /><br />c) Three common maintenance tasks for a photovoltaic system are:<br /> - Cleaning the PV modules to remove dirt, dust, and other debris.<br /> - Monitoring the system performance and identifying any issues or problems.<br /> - Performing routine inspections and maintenance on the system components.<br /><br />d) Four safety precautions to consider during photovoltaic installation are:<br /> - Proper training and certification of the installers.<br /> - Use of personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, and hard hats.<br /> - Adherence to local electrical codes and safety standards.<br /> - Proper handling and storage of hazardous materials, such as solar panels and batteries.<br /><br />3. a) Four types of batteries commonly used in photovoltaic systems are:<br /> - Lead-acid batteries: These are the most common and widely used type of battery in PV systems.<br /> - Lithium-ion batteries: These are the most efficient and have the longest lifespan of the common types of batteries.<br /> - Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries: These are less common but can be a good choice for applications with high cyclic demands.<br /> - Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries: These are similar to NiCd batteries but have some environmental advantages.<br /><br />b) Three factors that influence the efficiency of photovoltaic modules are:<br /> - Solar irradiance: The amount of sunlight that reaches the PV module.<br /> - Temperature: Higher temperatures can reduce the efficiency of PV modules.<br /> - Quality and design of the PV module: Higher efficiency modules can convert more of the available sunlight into electricity.<br /><br />c) Three types of solar charge controllers and their differences are:<br /> - Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) charge controllers: These are the most common type and work by adjusting the width of the pulse of the charging current.<br /> - Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers: These are more efficient and can extract more power from the solar panel.<br /> - State-of-Charge (SoC) charge controllers: These monitor the state of charge of the battery and adjust the charging rate accordingly.