Non-Conventional Energy & Energy Management is one of 9 topics in the Grade 11 Geography CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Photovoltaic (PV) solar technology generates electricity by:
Converting sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor solar panels, without any moving mechanical parts
Burning solar panels to release heat energy
Using wind to spin large mirrors
Concentrating moonlight onto a central receiver
Answer: Converting sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor solar panels, without any moving mechanical parts — Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect in semiconductor solar panels, without requiring moving mechanical parts or an intermediate heat/steam stage.
Easy
2. Which South African province is particularly noted for large-scale utility solar PV and CSP installations, given its exceptionally strong solar resource?
The Northern Cape
KwaZulu-Natal
Gauteng
Limpopo
Answer: The Northern Cape — The Northern Cape, with its extensive semi-arid interior, abundant sunshine and large areas of relatively low-value land, is particularly noted for hosting large-scale utility solar PV and CSP installations.
Medium
3. What term describes solar technology that concentrates sunlight onto a central receiver using mirrors or lenses to produce heat, which is then used to generate steam and spin a turbine?
Answer: Concentrated solar power — Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses large arrays of mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a central receiver, generating heat used to produce steam that spins a turbine connected to a generator.
