Quiz: The Science of Solar Panels Select one answer per question, then click Submit. 1) What is a photon in the context of sunlight? A) A wave of heat only B) A packet of light energy C) A charged electron D) A magnetic field line Sunlight arrives as photons—discrete packets of electromagnetic energy. 2) Approximate midday solar power at Earth’s surface per m² (clear sky) is: A) 100 W/m² B) 300 W/m² C) 1,000 W/m² D) 10,000 W/m² Standard test irradiance is ~1,000 W/m². 3) Which discovery underpins solar panel operation? A) Piezoelectric effect B) Photovoltaic effect C) Thermionic emission D) Compton scattering Light frees charge carriers in semiconductors: the photovoltaic effect. 4) Why is silicon doped in a solar cell? A) To change color B) To form p–n junctions that separate charge C) To increase thermal insulation D) To add mechanical strength only Doping creates n- and p-type regions, enabling the electric field at the junction. 5) N-type and P-type regions respectively have: A) Extra holes; extra electrons B) Extra electrons; extra holes C) Equal carriers D) No mobile carriers Donor dopants add electrons (n-type); acceptors create holes (p-type). 6) Correct photon-to-electricity sequence is: A) Flow → Absorption → Excitation → Separation → Return B) Absorption → Excitation → Separation → Flow → Return C) Excitation → Absorption → Flow → Separation → Return D) Separation → Absorption → Return → Excitation → Flow Absorb photons, excite carriers, separate by the junction, drive current, complete circuit. 7) Which is NOT a listed efficiency loss? A) Reflection B) Transmission C) Thermalization D) Ferromagnetism Ferromagnetism isn’t a standard PV loss mechanism cited here. 8) Typical commercial module efficiency today is about: A) 5–10% B) 12–15% C) 18–23% D) 40–50% Most mass-market modules land in the high-teens to low-twenties percent. 9) Which solar tech is lightweight and common in BIPV? A) Monocrystalline Si B) Polycrystalline Si C) Thin-film (CdTe, CIGS, perovskite) D) Nanotube arrays Thin-film modules are lighter and more flexible than wafer-based silicon. 10) What converts DC from panels to AC for home use? A) Rectifier B) Inverter C) Transformer only D) Modulator Inverters switch DC to grid-compatible AC. Submit Reset