High School

Assume 1 kW = 1,000 W, and 1 hour of sunlight produces 400 watts per panel per hour. How many kW per hour (kWh) of sunlight could be produced per solar panel? What about for the entire system (based on how many panels could fit on the roof)? Round to the nearest tenth.

A) Per solar panel: 0.4 kWh; Per entire system: It depends on the number of panels.

B) Per solar panel: 0.4 kWh; Per entire system: 4.0 kWh

C) Per solar panel: 4.0 kWh; Per entire system: It depends on the number of panels.

D) Per solar panel: 4.0 kWh; Per entire system: 0.4 kWh

Answer :

Final answer:

Each solar panel produces 0.4 kWh per hour of sunlight, and the total energy for the system depends on the number of panels installed.

Explanation:

If we assume that 1 kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts (W), and each solar panel generates 400 watts per hour, then each panel produces 0.4 kilowatts per hour (kWh) because 400 W is the same as 0.4 kW. This energy production rate applies when the panel is exposed to sunlight for one hour. Therefore, the correct answer for the amount produced per panel is 0.4 kWh.

As for the entire system, the total energy produced would depend on the number of solar panels you can fit on the roof. Without knowing the roof's size and the area each panel occupies, we cannot accurately determine the system's total kWh. Thus, for the entire system, the statement 'It depends on the number of panels' is valid. Answer choice 'a' correctly represents this, with 0.4 kWh per solar panel and depending on the number of panels for the entire system.