Solar Photovoltaic & Geothermal Systems Quiz

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What is the primary function of the semiconductor material in a solar photovoltaic cell?

To reflect sunlight away from the cell
To insulate the cell from environmental factors
To generate an electric current when exposed to light (correct)
To convert sunlight directly into heat

Which doping process creates regions in the semiconductor material that can lead to the photovoltaic effect?

Doping with insulators to reduce electron movement
Doping with elements to form n-type and p-type regions (correct)
Doping with other semiconductors to enhance performance
Doping with metals to create conductivity

What is the role of the anti-reflective coating in solar photovoltaic cells?

To increase the cell's electrical resistance
To enhance the chemical stability of the semiconductor
To minimize sunlight reflection and maximize absorption (correct)
To provide electrical conductivity at the surface

What type of current is generated by solar photovoltaic cells?

Direct Current (DC) (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is used to convert the direct current (DC) generated by solar cells into alternating current (AC) for practical use?

Inverter (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern associated with the high-pressure injection of water in HDR systems?

Induced seismicity (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do electrons behave when photons strike the semiconductor material in a solar cell?

Electrons are freed and move towards the n-type region while holes move towards the p-type (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic defines vapor-dominated geothermal systems?

Direct extraction of steam from the reservoir (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the p-n junction in a solar photovoltaic cell?

It creates an electric field necessary for the flow of electrons (D) Signup and view all the answers

In which geothermal system is high-pressure hot water transformed into steam through a rapid pressure drop?

Flash steam systems (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the binary fluid system maximize electricity generation potential?

By transferring heat to a lower boiling point fluid (A) Signup and view all the answers

What material are solar photovoltaic cells typically made from?

Silicon (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary application of HDR systems in geothermal energy production?

Electricity generation (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the movement of holes in a solar photovoltaic cell?

Holes flow towards the p-type region where they are created (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is encapsulation in the context of solar photovoltaic cells?

The protective layer shielding the cell from environmental factors (A) Signup and view all the answers

What defines the total flow concept in geothermal energy utilization?

Maximizing the geothermal resource for heating and electricity (B) Signup and view all the answers

What factor is critical for the success of HDR systems?

Sufficient temperature gradient (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which system primarily uses the heat content of water directly rather than converting it into steam?

Liquid-dominated systems (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a challenge associated with HDR systems?

Thermal storage availability (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of liquid-dominated geothermal systems?

Typically operates at lower temperatures (D) Signup and view all the answers

What factor negatively impacts the conversion efficiency of solar cells as temperature increases?

Increased semiconductor resistance (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which fuel cell type is specifically designed for use in portable electronic devices?

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary by-product of the electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell?

Water (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the Hot Dry Rock (HDR) system, what is the purpose of hydraulic fracturing?

To allow water circulation through hot rocks (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence the conversion efficiency of solar cells?

Operating Altitude (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common application for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)?

Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the efficiency of a solar cell depend on regarding the sunlight it receives?

The solar spectrum characteristics (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fuel cell uses a solid polymer as an electrolyte?

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge that Hot Dry Rock (HDR) systems address?

Accessing geothermal energy from deep rock formations (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of fuel cells operates at the highest temperatures?

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role does doping play in the construction of a solar photovoltaic cell?

It establishes regions with excess and deficient electrons. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is essential for minimizing sunlight reflection in solar photovoltaic cells?

Anti-reflective coating (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which electricity is generated in solar photovoltaic cells?

Photovoltaic effect (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of metal contacts in solar photovoltaic cells?

To allow the flow of electrons for external use (C) Signup and view all the answers

When photons strike the semiconductor material, what is the immediate result?

Excitation of electrons, freeing them from their bounds (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of the solar photovoltaic cell allows for the generation of a directed electric field?

The existence of the p-n junction (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of current is predominantly generated by solar photovoltaic cells before conversion?

Direct current (DC) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of encapsulation in a solar photovoltaic cell?

To protect the semiconductor from environmental damage (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the movement of electrons and holes in a solar photovoltaic cell?

Electrons move towards the n-type region while holes move towards the p-type region. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the inverter serve in the context of solar photovoltaic systems?

To convert electricity from DC to AC for practical use (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is least likely to directly affect the conversion efficiency of solar cells?

Number of layers in the cell design (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of a well-designed anti-reflective coating on solar cells?

To maximize light absorption (C) Signup and view all the answers

In a fuel cell, what role do protons play once they are generated at the anode?

They migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the working temperature characteristics of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)?

Functions optimally in high temperatures around 800-1,000°C (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the Hot Dry Rock geothermal system, what is a key objective of injecting water at high pressure?

To create fractures for enhanced thermal conductivity (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of using Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFCs) in modern applications?

Sensitivity to carbon dioxide (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which energy conversion process is most accurate for fuel cells?

Converting chemical energy to electrical energy (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fuel cell types is least suitable for large-scale stationary power generation?

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What impact does increasing temperature have on the efficiency of solar cells?

It generally decreases efficiency. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which application is NOT commonly associated with Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)?

Space missions (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge that HDR systems face related to geological stability?

Increased seismic risk due to water injection (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the scalability of HDR systems?

They allow for the development of larger geothermal projects. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What describes the operation of flash steam systems?

Reduction of pressure to create steam from high-pressure hot water (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the binary fluid system in geothermal energy production?

Utilization of a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point for electricity generation (B) Signup and view all the answers

In which type of geothermal system is the steam extracted directly from the reservoir?

Vapor-dominated systems (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is crucial for the economic feasibility of HDR systems?

Technical advancements and cost of technology (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the total flow concept maximize geothermal resource utilization?

By combining direct use and electricity generation in one system (D) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the success of HDR systems in geothermal energy extraction?

Presence of viable geothermal resources at accessible depths (D) Signup and view all the answers

What defines the operational characteristic of liquid-dominated systems in geothermal energy?

Extracting water for its heat content, not for steam generation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential application for hot water extracted from HDR systems?

Direct heating for agricultural processes (C) Signup and view all the answers

Solar PV Cell Principle

Sunlight is converted directly to electricity using the photovoltaic effect, where light excites electrons in a semiconductor material.

Photovoltaic Effect

Generation of an electric current in a material when light shines on it.

Semiconductor Material

Usually silicon, a material with conductivity between a conductor and an insulator, crucial for solar cells.

p-n Junction

A boundary between p-type and n-type semiconductor materials that's essential for creating the electrical field.