Master Solar Thermal Collectors: Harnessing the Sun's Energy for Heat

Question 1

In flat-plate solar collectors, which mechanism is primarily responsible for heat transfer?

Accepted Answer

Conduction

Answer

Convection

Answer

Radiation

Answer

Evaporation

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a commonly used type of solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) module

Answer

Flat-plate collector

Answer

Evacuated tube collector

Answer

Parabolic trough

Question 3

Compared to flat-plate collectors, what is the main advantage of evacuated tube collectors?

Accepted Answer

Reduced heat loss due to vacuum insulation

Answer

Increased efficiency due to higher operating temperatures

Answer

Lower cost due to simpler construction

Answer

Longer lifespan due to durability

Question 4

What is the primary application of solar thermal collectors in residential buildings?

Accepted Answer

Water heating

Answer

Space heating

Answer

Cooling

Answer

Electricity generation

Question 5

What is a key benefit of integrating thermal energy storage systems with solar thermal collectors?

Accepted Answer

Extending the system's operating hours beyond sunlight availability

Answer

Reducing the required collector size for a given energy output

Answer

Increasing the overall system efficiency

Answer

Lowering the installation costs of the system

Question 6

Which factor does NOT affect the efficiency of a solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Wind speed

Answer

Absorber surface area

Answer

Tilt angle

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a type of solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic panel

Answer

Flat-plate collector

Answer

Evacuated tube collector

Answer

Concentrating collector

Question 8

Which of the following factors has no direct impact on the efficiency of a solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Volume of the thermal storage tank

Answer

Surface area of the collector

Answer

Type of glazing material used

Answer

Tilt angle of the collector

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a type of solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Solar dish collectors

Answer

Flat-plate collectors

Answer

Evacuated tube collectors

Answer

Parabolic trough collectors

Question 10

What factor has the LEAST impact on a solar thermal collector's ability to convert sunlight into heat?

Accepted Answer

Wind speed

Answer

Solar radiation intensity

Answer

Collector tilt angle

Answer

Collector surface area

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a type of solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system

Answer

Flat plate collector

Answer

Evacuated tube collector

Answer

Parabolic trough collector

Question 12

Which type of solar thermal collector uses a concentrating parabolic trough to focus sunlight on a receiver?

Accepted Answer

Parabolic trough collector

Answer

Flat plate collector

Answer

Compound parabolic collector

Answer

Evacuated tube collector

Question 13

What is the primary advantage of evacuated tube collectors compared to flat plate collectors?

Accepted Answer

Reduced heat loss due to vacuum insulation

Answer

Higher efficiency at higher temperatures

Answer

Lower cost

Answer

Greater durability

Question 14

What is the main application of solar thermal collectors in residential buildings and homes?

Accepted Answer

Water heating

Answer

Electricity generation

Answer

Industrial process heat

Answer

Space heating

Question 15

What is a key limitation associated with the use of solar thermal collectors?

Accepted Answer

Intermittent nature of solar energy

Answer

Low conversion efficiency

Answer

High maintenance costs

Answer

Limited lifespan

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of a heat transfer fluid in a solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Transfer heat from the collector to the storage system or end-use application

Answer

Circulate water through the collector

Answer

Regulate collector temperature

Answer

Prevent heat loss

Question 17

Which material is commonly used in the construction of flat plate solar thermal collectors due to its high durability and resistance to weathering?

Accepted Answer

Tempered glass

Answer

Aluminum

Answer

Polycarbonate

Answer

Steel

Question 18

What is the key advantage of applying a selective coating to a solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

Enhances solar absorption while minimizing thermal radiation losses

Answer

Improves heat transfer efficiency

Answer

Protects the collector from corrosion

Question 19

Which of the following is a critical consideration in the design and installation of solar thermal collectors to maximize performance?

Accepted Answer

Shading and orientation

Answer

Roof type

Answer

Aesthetics

Question 20

What is a potential environmental benefit of using solar thermal collectors as an energy source?

Accepted Answer

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Answer

Mitigation of deforestation

Answer

Reduced water consumption

Question 21

For residential water heating, which type of solar thermal collector is most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Flat plate collector

Answer

Parabolic trough collector

Answer

Fresnel reflector collector

Answer

Evacuated tube collector

Question 22

What material is typically used for the absorber plate in a flat plate solar collector?

Accepted Answer

Copper

Answer

Aluminum

Answer

Glass

Answer

Steel

Question 23

How does a selective surface on an absorber plate enhance efficiency?

Accepted Answer

It absorbs more sunlight and reduces heat loss by infrared radiation.

Answer

It reduces heat loss through convection.

Answer

It reflects more sunlight and absorbs less infrared radiation.

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of the glazing in a flat plate solar collector?

Accepted Answer

To minimize heat loss due to convection and radiation.

Answer

To increase the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid.

Answer

To reflect more sunlight onto the absorber plate.

Answer

To prevent corrosion of the absorber plate.

Question 25

Which factor has the most significant impact on the efficiency of a solar thermal collector?

Accepted Answer

The angle of the collector relative to the sun.

Answer

The size of the storage tank.

Answer

The color of the collector housing.

Answer

The type of insulation used in the piping.

Question 26

In a solar thermal system, what is the main function of the heat exchanger?

Accepted Answer

To transfer heat from the collector fluid to the water being heated.

Answer

To regulate the flow of the collector fluid.

Answer

To prevent the collector from overheating.

Question 27

Compared to flat plate collectors, what is a major advantage of evacuated tube collectors?

Accepted Answer

Higher efficiency, especially in cold weather.

Answer

Easier installation.

Answer

Lower initial cost.

Question 28

Which application is NOT typically suited for solar thermal technology?

Accepted Answer

Generating electricity.

Answer

Heating buildings.

Answer

Providing hot water for domestic use.

Answer

Heating swimming pools.

Question 29

What is the primary role of the storage tank in a solar thermal system?

Accepted Answer

Storing excess heat energy for use when sunlight is limited.

Answer

Regulating the flow of the collector fluid.

Answer

Preventing the collector from overheating.

Question 30

A solar thermal system with a flat plate collector (10 square meters) is used for hot water in a house. The area receives 5 kWh/m² of solar radiation daily. If the collector's efficiency is 50%, how much energy can it produce in a day?

Accepted Answer

25 kWh

Answer

10 kWh

Answer

5 kWh

Answer

50 kWh