PG Diploma in Solar Semester Two Paper 3 exam SECTION B

Short Answer (2 Marks Each)

Q1. Define solar project management.
Ans: It is the process of planning, executing, and completing a solar project safely, within budget, on time, and ensuring long-term performance.

Q2. Name three types of solar projects.
Ans: Rooftop, ground-mounted, floating solar.

Q3. What is site assessment?
Ans: Evaluation of site conditions like load, shadow, soil, and grid availability before installation.

Q4. What is shadow analysis?
Ans: Study of shading impact on solar panels to optimize energy generation.

Q5. What is load profile study?
Ans: Analysis of electricity consumption pattern over time.

Q6. What is peak demand?
Ans: The highest electricity consumption in a given period.

Q7. What is base load?
Ans: Minimum continuous power demand.

Q8. What is BOM?
Ans: Bill of Materials listing all components required for a project.

Q9. What is DPR?
Ans: Daily Progress Report used for tracking site activities.

Q10. What is feasibility analysis?
Ans: Evaluation of technical and financial viability of a project.

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Q11. What is grid availability?
Ans: Presence of electrical grid connection for solar integration.

Q12. What is soil investigation?
Ans: Testing soil strength for foundation design.

Q13. What is rooftop load test?
Ans: Assessment of roof strength to bear solar installation.

Q14. What is engineering design in solar projects?
Ans: Planning system layout, capacity, and electrical configuration.

Q15. What is procurement?
Ans: Process of purchasing equipment and materials.

Q16. What is vendor management?
Ans: Selection and coordination of suppliers.

Q17. What is quality management?
Ans: Ensuring project meets required standards.

Q18. What is commissioning?
Ans: Final testing and activation of solar plant.

Q19. What is O&M?
Ans: Operation and Maintenance of solar plant.

Q20. What is AMC?
Ans: Annual Maintenance Contract.

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Q21. What is an unloading zone?
Ans: Area designated for receiving materials at site.

Q22. What is PPE?
Ans: Personal Protective Equipment.

Q23. What is electrical isolation?
Ans: Disconnecting power for safety.

Q24. What is waste management plan?
Ans: Strategy to handle site waste safely.

Q25. What is workforce management?
Ans: Planning and controlling labor at site.

Q26. What is site logistics?
Ans: Planning movement and storage of materials.

Q27. What is laydown area?
Ans: Space for storing materials.

Q28. What is safety zone?
Ans: Area defined for safe working conditions.

Q29. What is man-hour?
Ans: Unit of labor time.

Q30. What is resource planning?
Ans: Allocation of manpower and materials.

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Q31. What is project lifecycle?
Ans: Sequence of stages from planning to commissioning.

Q32. Name one lifecycle phase.
Ans: Engineering & Design.

Q33. What is pre-feasibility?
Ans: Initial project viability study.

Q34. What is energy yield analysis?
Ans: Estimation of energy generation.

Q35. What is permitting?
Ans: Obtaining approvals.

Q36. What is structural design?
Ans: Designing support structures.

Q37. What is foundation engineering?
Ans: Designing base support for structures.

Q38. What is testing?
Ans: Checking system performance.

Q39. What is documentation?
Ans: Recording project details.

Q40. What is handover?
Ans: Transfer of project to client.

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Q41. Define net metering.
Ans: A system that allows export of excess solar energy to the grid and import when needed.

Q42. What is a bidirectional meter?
Ans: Meter that records import and export of electricity.

Q43. What is energy export?
Ans: Sending excess solar energy to grid.

Q44. What is energy import?
Ans: Taking electricity from grid.

Q45. What is billing adjustment?
Ans: Credit of exported energy against consumption.

Q46. What is unit credit?
Ans: Energy credited in kWh.

Q47. What is kWh?
Ans: Unit of electrical energy.

Q48. What is grid storage?
Ans: Grid acting as virtual battery.

Q49. What is solar surplus?
Ans: Extra energy generated.

Q50. What is net consumption?
Ans: Total consumption minus exported energy.

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Q51. Define virtual net metering.
Ans: System where excess energy is shared across multiple consumers.

Q52. What is VNM benefit?
Ans: Allows solar benefits without rooftop.

Q53. What is shared solar?
Ans: Solar plant used by multiple users.

Q54. What is PR (Performance Ratio)?
Ans: Ratio of actual energy output to theoretical output (~82.82%).

Q55. What is specific yield?
Ans: Energy generated per kWp (~1657 kWh/kWp/year).

Q56. What is annual energy generation?
Ans: ~12254 MWh/year for the 7.4 MW plant.

Q57. What is techno-commercial analysis?
Ans: Combination of technical and financial evaluation.

Q58. What is payback period?
Ans: Time to recover investment.

Q59. What is LCOE?
Ans: Cost per unit energy generated.

Q60. What is executive summary?
Ans: Overview of project proposal.

Short Answer (5 Marks Each)

 

Q1. Explain the key objectives of solar project management.
Ans:
The key objectives include:

• Timely project completion
• Cost control and budget adherence
• High-quality installation
• Safety compliance
• Long-term performance (25+ years)
  These ensure reliability and financial viability of solar plants.

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Q2. Describe the solar project lifecycle phases.
Ans:
The lifecycle includes:

1. Pre-feasibility analysis
2. Detailed site survey
3. Engineering & design
4. Procurement
5. Construction (EPC)
6. Testing & commissioning
7. O&M and warranty tracking
   Each phase ensures structured project execution.

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Q3. Explain site assessment in solar projects.
Ans:
Site assessment evaluates:

• Load profile
• Shadow analysis
• Soil condition
• Roof strength
• Weather data
• Grid availability
  It ensures technical feasibility and optimal system design.

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Q4. What is load profile analysis and why is it important?
Ans:
Load profile shows energy consumption over time.
Importance:

• Helps in system sizing
• Identifies peak demand
• Ensures maximum solar utilization
• Supports net metering benefits

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Q5. Explain shadow analysis and its impact.
Ans:
Shadow analysis identifies obstructions affecting sunlight.
Impact:

• Reduces energy generation
• Causes mismatch losses
• Affects system efficiency
  Proper layout design minimizes shading losses.

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Q6. Explain soil investigation in ground-mounted solar projects.
Ans:
Soil testing determines:

• Load-bearing capacity
• Soil type
• Foundation requirements
  It ensures safe structural design and prevents failure.

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Q7. Describe the responsibilities of site management.
Ans:

• Site preparation
• Workforce management
• Material storage
• Safety implementation
• Daily reporting (DPR)
• Waste management
  Ensures smooth project execution.

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Q8. What is resource planning in solar projects?
Ans:
It involves allocation of:

• Manpower
• Materials
• Equipment
• Time
  Proper planning avoids delays and cost overruns.

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Q9. Explain the importance of procurement in solar projects.
Ans:
Procurement ensures:

• Quality components
• Cost optimization
• Timely delivery
• Vendor reliability
  It directly affects project performance and cost.

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Q10. Describe project scheduling and dependencies.
Ans:
Project scheduling defines sequence of tasks like:

• Engineering → Procurement → Installation → Commissioning
  Dependencies ensure tasks are completed in correct order, avoiding delays.

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Q11. Explain daily progress reporting (DPR).
Ans:
DPR tracks:

• Work completed
• Resources used
• Issues faced
• Next day planning
  Helps in monitoring project performance.

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Q12. What is safety management at site?
Ans:
Includes:

• PPE usage
• Fire safety
• Electrical isolation
• Hazard identification
  Ensures accident-free workplace.

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Q13. Explain engineering design in solar projects.
Ans:
It includes:

• System sizing
• Layout design
• Electrical design (SLD)
• Structural design
  Ensures efficient and safe system operation.

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Q14. What is commissioning process?
Ans:
Steps include:

• Inspection
• Testing
• Grid synchronization
• Performance verification
  Marks final project completion.

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Q15. Explain O&M activities in solar plants.
Ans:

• Cleaning modules
• Monitoring performance
• Repair & maintenance
• Fault detection
  Ensures long-term efficiency.

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Q16. What is feasibility analysis?
Ans:
Evaluation of:

• Technical feasibility
• Financial viability
• Risk factors
  Helps in decision-making.

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Q17. Explain grid sanction process.
Ans:
Steps include:

• Application submission
• Utility approval
• System impact study
• Final approval (PTO)
  Ensures legal grid connection.

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Q18. What is energy yield analysis?
Ans:
Estimation of energy production using:

• Irradiance data
• System efficiency
• Loss factors

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Q19. Explain workforce management.
Ans:

• Planning manpower
• Monitoring productivity
• Managing labor cost
• Improves efficiency.

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Q20. What is material management at site?
Ans:

• Storage planning
• Inventory tracking
• Damage prevention
• Ensures availability of materials.

Q21. Explain the working principle of net metering.
Ans:

• Solar system generates electricity
• Excess power exported to grid
• Meter records import/export
• Net energy billed
  Helps reduce electricity cost.

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Q22. What are the benefits of net metering?
Ans:

• Reduces electricity bill
• No battery required
• Low maintenance
• Financial credits

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Q23. Explain billing mechanism in net metering.
Ans:

• Exported energy credited
• Imported energy billed
• Net consumption calculated
  Settlement monthly/annually

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Q24. Explain role of government in net metering.
Ans:

• Policy formulation
• Tariff regulation
• Incentives
• Implementation guidelines

 

Q25. Explain concept of virtual net metering.
Ans:
Energy from one solar plant is shared among multiple consumers through grid credit allocation.

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Q26. What are benefits of VNM?
Ans:

• Access without rooftop
• Economies of scale
• Reduced cost
• Wider adoption

 

Q27. Explain Performance Ratio (PR).
Ans:
PR = Actual output / Theoretical output
Indicates system efficiency (~82.82%).

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Q28. Explain specific yield.
Ans:
Energy generated per kWp (~1657 kWh/kWp/year).

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Q29. Explain losses in solar system.
Ans:

• Temperature loss
• Wiring loss
• Mismatch loss
• Inverter loss

Q30. Explain techno-commercial proposal structure.
Ans:

• Client need
• Technical design
• Financial analysis
• Risk & contract
• Ensures project feasibility.

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Q31. Explain payback period.
Ans:
Time required to recover investment cost.

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Q32. Explain LCOE.
Ans:
Cost per unit electricity generated over lifetime.

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Q33 Explain thesis structure.
Ans:
Includes:

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Methodology
• Results
• Conclusion