Question

questions 15 and 16 refer to the following.
the graphs below show the energy output of one kilowatt of photovoltaic (pv) capacity of different pv panel systems over a day (graph on the left) and the annual energy production (graph on the right) of the same systems. dual - axis tracking means that the pv panels are constantly moving to always face the sun directly. if the pv panels are tilted in a fixed position, the direction of tilt is indicated. flat pv panels are not tilted in any direction.
if peak electricity use occurs around 2 p.m. in the los angeles area and avoiding brownouts is more important to the installers of the pv panels than annual energy output, which of the following pv panel systems would be best to use in the area?
a no tracking, tilted south
b no tracking, tilted west
c no tracking, tilted east
d no tracking, flat

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the problem requirement

The problem requires choosing a PV panel system that has a high energy output around 2 p.m. (peak - usage time) in Los Angeles, with avoiding brownouts being more important than annual energy output. So we need to look at the left - hand graph (daily energy production graph).

Step2: Examine the daily energy production graph

Looking at the left - hand graph (average energy production in a day), we can see that the "No tracking, tilted west" PV panel system has a relatively high energy output around 2 p.m. compared to the "No tracking, tilted south", "No tracking, tilted east", and "No tracking, flat" systems.

Answer:

B. No tracking, tilted west