NATIONAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE, K. R.

Nagar, Kovilpatti-628 503

(An Autonomous Institution, Affiliated to Anna University Chennai)
B. E. – Mechanical Engineering
QUESTION BANK
15ME11E – Solar Photovoltaic Fundamentals and applications- Pattern E

Part A
1. Define Photovoltaic effect. CO1-K1

2. What is doping of a semiconductor? Name any two doping materials. CO1-K2

3. List the solar cell design parameters. CO1-K1

4. Define Fill factor. CO1-K1

5. A solar cell gives a current of 0.8 A and the voltage of 0.55 at maximum power CO1-K2

point. What is the peak power of the solar cell?

6. Express the effect on the efficiency and peak power of a PV cell as the CO1-K2

temperature increases.
7. The current density of a solar cell having an area of 100 cm2 at STC is CO1-K2

given as 35 mA/cm2. Find out the output current of the cell.

8. At STC, the current and voltage at max. power point of a solar panel is CO1-K2

8 A and 40 V respectively. Estimate the efficiency of the panel, fill

factor = 0.72 and panel area = 15 m2.
9. What are direct and indirect band gap materials? Give example. CO1-K2

10. What is recombination? How can it be prevented? CO1-K2

11 Define conversion efficiency of a solar cell. CO1-K1

12 Schematically represent the I-V characteristic of a solar cell. CO1-K2

13 Calculate the output power of a solar cell of efficiency 16%, when the CO1-K2

input power is 800 W/m2 and solar cell area is 100cm2.

14 What is anti-reflective coating? Name few coating materials. CO1-K2

15 Define surface texturing. CO1-K1

16 Bring out the significance of surface passivation of solar cells. CO1-K2

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17 Calculate the voltage of a solar cell at 35 0C, if the Voc at STC is 0.6 V. CO1-K2

18 How optical losses in solar cells can be reduced? CO1-K2

19 Define solar constant. CO1-K1

20 List any four solar radiation measurement devices. CO1-K2

Part B

1 The output voltage of a solar cell at STC is 0.7V. The out voltage CO1-K2

decreases by 2.3 mV/°C. If the actual operating temperature of the solar

cell is 40oC, calculate the new value of output voltage.
2 Efficiency of a solar cell at STC is 15%. What would be its efficiency CO1-K2

when cell operating temperature is 60°C?

3 The maximum rated power of a crystalline silicon solar cell at STC is CO1-K2

2.5 Wp. Calculate the maximum output power at 45°C and 55°C.
4 A solar cell having an area of 100 cm2 gives 2.4A current and 0.7V at CO1-K2

maximum power point at STC. The cell gives 2.8A short circuit current
and 0.8V open circuit voltage. What is the maximum power point of the
solar cell? Also, determine the efficiency of the cell.
5 What is surface texturing. Explain its significance. CO1-K2

6 What is surface passivation? Explain its significance. CO1-K2

7 Briefly explain the I-V characteristics of a solar cell. CO1-K2

8 Discuss the effect of radiation and temperature on the performance of a CO1-K2

solar cell.
9 What is a solar cell? How it generates electricity? CO1-K2

10 A solar cell having fill factor 68% gives 0.6V voltage at maximum power CO1-K2

point at STC. The cell gives 3A short circuit current and 0.7V open circuit
voltage. What is the current at maximum power point of the cell?
11 A solar cell has a maximum power point of 0.3W. The cell voltage at CO1-K2

maximum power point at STC is 0.65V. What is the current at maximum

power point of the cell?
12 Calculate the output power for the solar cells of efficiency 16%, When the CO1-K2

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 input power is say, 600, 800 and 1000 W/m2 and area of the cell is 100
cm2.
13 Illustrate the effect of light on a solar cell under various intensities in CO1-K2

energy band diagram.

14 Brief how band gap affects the performance of a solar cell with CO1-K2

illustration.
15 Brief the ways to enhance light trapping in a solar cell. CO1-K2

16 A solar cell having fill factor 0.6 gives 02.5 A current at maximum power CO1-K2

point at STC. The cell gives 3A short circuit current and 0.5V open circuit
voltage. What is the voltage at maximum power point of the cell?

Part C

1. A PV panel has an open circuit voltage of 40 V and short circuit current CO1-K2

of 8 A at 25°C If the temperature has become 40°C, what will be the

open circuit voltage of the panel? Also calculate the efficiency at 40 °C.
Assume FF = 0.8
2. List the various losses in a solar cell. How can they be minimized? CO1-K2

3. Enumerate the primary design factors that affect the performance of a CO1-K2

solar cell.
4. A solar cell having an area of 25 cm2 gives a current of 0.85 A and CO1-K2

voltage 0.55 V at maximum power point. If Isc = 0.9 A and Voc = 0.65 V,
what is the fill factor, maximum power point and efficiency of the solar
cell. Consider STC.
5. A solar cell having an area of 120 cm2 gives 3.4A current and 0.7V at CO1-K2

maximum power point at STC. The cell gives 3.8A short circuit current
and 0.8V open circuit voltage. What is the maximum power point of the
solar cell? Also, determine the efficiency of the cell and Fill factor.
6. List the design parameters of a solar cell. Discuss them elaborately. CO1-K2

7. Calculate the efficiency and peak power of a solar cell operating at 27oC CO1-K2

with Isc = 2.2A and Voc = 0.616V at an illumination of 1000 W/m 2. Area

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 of the cell is 100 cm2. Also calculate the efficiency and peak power of
the cell if the operating temperature increases to 35oC. Assume the
value of FF as 75%.
8. Explain the techniques used for minimizing the optical losses of a solar CO1-K2

cell.
9. What is carrier recombination? How it can be reduced? Describe any CO1-K2

one technique to reduce recombination losses.

10. List few instruments used for measuring solar radiation. Explain the CO1-K2

working of any one instrument with a neat sketch.

UNIT-II (CO-2)

Part A
1. List the possible refining process for producing solar grade silicon from MG- CO2-K1

silicon
2. List a few commonly available commercial solar cells. CO2-K1

3. Define solar grade silicon. How it differs from electronic grade CO2-K2

silicon?
4. Why thin film technologies are referred to as second generation solar CO2-K2

cells?
5. What is silicon ingot? How it is obtained? CO2-K2

6. List any four thin film deposition techniques. CO2-K1

7. Is tracking necessary for Concentrated solar PV systems? Justify. CO2-K2

8. What is EVA? Give its significance in a PV module? CO2-K2

9. What is TCO? Why it is important in thin film solar cells? CO2-K2

10. List the requirements to be fulfilled by TCO in solar cells. CO2-K2

11 What is wafer dicing? CO2-K2

12 List the steps in producing silicon wafers from raw material quartzite. CO2-K2

13 Why mono and multicrystalline Si wafers are the most commonly used CO2-K2

materials for solar cell fabrication?

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14 List out the parameters to be specified at STC by a standard CO2-K2

manufacturer of a PV module.
15 What is CIGS technology? Name the frontier in CIGS production. CO2-K2

16 An efficiency of 24% has been reported for wafer based solar cells in CO2-K2

laboratory. But the efficiency of commercial cells are 12% to 15%.Why?

17 What are multi junction solar cells? What is its reported efficiency? CO2-K2

18 Define concentration ratio of concentrator PV cells. CO2-K1

19 How is cooling of solar cells obtained in concentrator PV cells? CO2-K2

20 List any for upcoming solar cell technologies. CO2-K2

Part B
1 List the various thin film deposition techniques used in fabrication of CO2-K2

thin film solar cells.

2 Sketch the production process of Si wafers from raw material. CO2-K2

3 How metallurgical Si is produced from raw quartzite. CO2-K2

4 List the limitations of Siemens reactor which commonly used for CO2-K2

producing electronic grade silicon.

5 How EGS is obtained from MGS using fluidized-bed reactor. CO2-K2

6 Explain the process of wafer dicing in fabrication of Si wafers. CO2-K2

7 Sketch the refining process of SoG-Si from MGS. CO2-K2

8 Sketch the generic process flow for commercial wafer-based solar cell CO2-K2

manufacturing.
9 List the advantages of thin film solar cells. CO2-K2

10 Bring out the requirements to be fulfilled by the material used for thin film CO2-K2

solar cells.
11 What is TCO in thin film technology? List the requirements of TCO layer. CO2-K2

12 Enumerate the requirements of EVA material in the solar PV module. CO2-K2

13 Compare the advantages of CIGS technology with Amorphous Si CO2-K2

technology.
14 Sketch the generations of solar cell technologies. CO2-K2

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15 What are multi-junction solar cells. Where it finds its application? CO2-K2

16 Whether thin film crystalline Si technology can gain importance in CO2-K2

future? Justify.

Part C

1. Explain the production process of electronic grade silicon using Siemens CO2-K2

reactor
2. With a neat sketch, discuss the production of monocrystailine silicon CO2-K2

ingots through Czochralski process.

3. With a flow chart explain wafer based PV module fabrication showing CO2-K2

the steps from cell sorting till PV module characterization.

4. Summarize the advantages of thin film technology over crystalline PV CO2-K2

technology.
5. Illustrate the fabrication process of a PV module with the help of a flow CO2-K2

diagram.
6. With a neat sketch, discuss the production of monocrystailine silicon CO2-K2

ingots through Float Zone process.

7. With a flow diagram explain the possible refining process for producing CO2-K2
SoG-Si from MG-Si.
8. Is tracking and cooling necessary for Concentrated solar PV systems? CO2-K2

Justify.
9. Explain the Physical vapor deposition technique for deposition of thin CO2-K2

film solar cells with a neat diagram.

10. Explain the Low pressure chemical vapor deposition technique for CO2-K2

deposition of thin film solar cells with a neat diagram.

CO3 – UNIT - 3

Part A
1. What is PV module string and array? CO3-K2

2. Distinguish by-pass diode with blocking diode in a PV module. CO3-K2

3. What is maximum power point of a solar PV module? CO3-K2

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4. How will you estimate the number of cells in a PV module? CO3-K2

5. Illustrate the need for blocking diode in a solar PV module. CO3-K2

6. Brief the reason for mismatch in solar cell/module. CO3-K2

7. What is the reason form formation of hot spots in PV modules? CO3-K2

8. Bring out the usage of blocking diode in PV modules. CO3-K2

9. What is STC? Brief the conditions specified under STC. CO3-K2

10. What is meant by negative temperature coefficient in a PV CO3-K2

module.
11 How cells are normally connected in a PV module? Series or parallel? CO3-K2

How many cells are typically connected in a PV module?

12 What do you understand by the term ‘Balance of systems’? CO3-K2

13 What is meant by On-grid PV system? CO3-K2

14 Specify the role of DC-DC converters in PV systems. CO3-K2

15 What is the role of inverters in solar PV system? CO3-K2

16 Bring out the importance of Net-metering. CO3-K2

17 A photovoltaic panel has six modules connected in series, each module CO3-K2

having an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 32V and short-circuit current (Isc)

of 7.8A. What should be the current axis intercept of the I-V
characteristics of the series system?
18 A solar cell having Isc = 4.75 A and Voc = 1.6 V is used to make a PV CO3-K2

module of 36 cells connected in series. Estimate the Pm of the module.

19 Define Performance ratio for a PV system. CO3-K2

20 What is meant by array capture loss? CO3-K2

Part B

1 Sketch the layout of grid connected PV system. CO3-K2

2 Brief the balance of systems in a solar PV system. CO3-K2

3 List the types of DC-DC converters. Enumerate the importance of DC-DC CO3-K2

converters in PV system.

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4 Explain the concept of Net-metering. CO3-K2

5 List the performance indicators in the evaluation of a grid tied PV system. CO3-K2

6 A small PV module having an area of 0.094 m2 gives a current of 0.71A CO3-K2

and voltage of 16.5V at maximum power point under STC. What is the
peak power and efficiency of the module?
7 A solar cell having Isc = 4.75 A is used to make a PV module of 36 cells CO3-K2

connected in series. Estimate the Pm if the module has Vm = 15 V.

8 At STC Voc=0.9V and Vm=0.8V for a PV technology. If the CO3-K2

temperature coeff. of the module is 1 mV, how many cells to be

connected in module at operating temperature of 60°C?
9 Calculate the output power of the PV module if its efficiency is 22%, input CO3-K2

power density is 1000 W/m2 and area is 1.475 m2.

10 The power output of a PV module is 42W and 98W at 300 W/m 2 and 700 CO3-K2

W/m2 respectively. What will be the Wp rating of the module at STC

assuming the cell temperature is same in both conditions?
11 With a sketch explain the significance of bypass diode in a PV module. CO3-K2

12 With a sketch explain the significance of blocking diode in a PV module. CO3-K2

13 Estimate the Fill factor and peak power of a PV module of area 1.62 m2 CO3-K2

when Voc= 36.7 V, Vmpp = 29.4 V, Isc= 8.52 A and Impp= 7.83 A.
14 Estimate the efficiency and peak power of a PV module of area 1.646 m2 CO3-K2

when Voc= 37.4 V, Vmpp = 29.72 V, Isc= 8.48 A and Impp= 8.08 A.

Part C

1. Illustrate the factors to be considered for the precise design of a solar PV CO3-K2

system.
2. Examine the key parameters involved in the performance evaluation of a CO3-K2

grid connected PV system.

3. Explain the steps of grid-connected PV system design for small CO3-K2

applications.
4. Design a solar PV module for providing voltage at maximum power point CO3-K3

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 of Vm=30V (STC) and 28.5V (under operating conditions, 55°C cell
temperature). Use the cells with Voc = 0.62 V and 0.002 V decrease in
V, per degree centigrade rise in temperature.
5. In a PV power plant of 1 MW capacity, the desired voltage at maximum CO3-K3

power point is 700 V. Design the string configuration and estimate the
peak power point of the plant. Also estimate the peak power that will be
supplied by one such PV string. The specifications of the PV modules
used are: Voc= 44 V, Vmpp = 32 V, 1sc= 8.5 A and Impp= 7.5 A.
6. In a PV plant of 10KW capacity, PV modules are connected in series CO3-K3

and parallel combinations. Design the number of modules required if the

desired voltage at maximum power point is 210 V. Estimate the current
at peak power' point of the plant. Also determine the peak power
supplied by one such PV string. PV module parameters: Vsc=36V and
lm= 8.7 A.
7. Design a grid connected PV system for fulfilling the load energy CO3-K3

requirement of 10KWh/day. Assume the grid is available full time and no

battery storage is required. Give details of all component selected for
this plant. Take the average ambient temperature of 25°C, and average
solar radiation of 5.5 kWh/m2/day.
8. . A grid connected PV power plant is installed where in PV modules CO3-K3

are connected to the grid through a grid tied inverter. The voltage
range for inverter operation is 300-400V and maximum current the
inverter can handle is 150A.Design a solar PV system for such inverter
which should operate at maximum voltage of 350V and a current at
150A.The module available for this are having Vm = 40V, Im = 9A.
Also estimate the final power of the system.
9. In a PV power plant of 1 MW capacity a large number of PV modules CO3-K3

are connected in series and parallel combinations. In such plants 1 MW

inverter can take input voltage in the range of 500V to 700V.Design
number of PV modules to be connected in a single series ( PV module
string) to obtain voltage at maximum power point of 600V. Also estimate
the peak power that will be supplied by one PV module string. The

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 parameters of PV modules to be used are Voc = 44 V, Vm =35 V,
Isc= 8A and Im = 7A.
10. Design a grid connected PV system for fulfilling the load energy CO3-K3

requirement of 15 kWh/day. Assume that the grid is available full time

and no battery storage is required. Give the details of all component
selected for this power plant. The plant is to be installed in kovilpatti
where average solar radiation is 5.7 kWh/m2/day.

CO3 – UNIT - 4

Part A
1. Define Depth of discharge of a solar battery. CO3-K2

2. What is the purpose of charge controller? List any two types of CO3-K2

charge controllers used in stand-alone PV systems.

3. List out the components in balance of system of a stand-alone PV system. CO3-K2

4. Define C- rating of a solar battery. CO3-K2

5. If the total Ah capacity of the battery bank to be provided for a PV CO3-K2

system is 800Ah.How many number of batteries are required if it is

proposed to install 12 V batteries of 150Ah capacity.
6. What is meant by off-grid PV system? CO3-K2

7. Brief the role of MPPT in solar PV systems. CO3-K2

8. List the types of mechanical tracking available for PV systems. CO3-K2

9. List the factors affecting the performance of solar batteries. CO3-K2

10. What are deep discharge batteries? CO3-K2

11 What is meant by self-discharge in a battery? CO3-K2

12 List the configurations of stand-alone PV systems. CO3-K2

13 List any two MPPT schemes commonly used in solar PV systems. CO3-K2

14 What do you understand by regulated and unregulated PV system? CO3-K2

15 How will you broadly classify solar PV systems? CO3-K2

16 List out the parameters on which the stand alone PV system CO3-K2

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 configuration depends.

17 Is sun tracking mechanism necessary for a PV system? Explain. CO3-K2

18 List out the factors upon which the choice of a battery depends for a CO3-K2

specific PV application.
19 Define Capacity Utilization Factor. CO3-K2

20 What is the optimum inclination angle and orientation for the PV module CO3-K2

for Kovilpatti location.

Part B

1 Brief the functions of charge controller in a stand-alone PV System. CO3-K2

2 Explain horizontal axis tracking system briefly. CO3-K2

3 Elucidate vertical axis tracking system briefly. CO3-K2

4 Illustrate dual axis tracking system briefly. CO3-K2

5 Sketch the layout of off grid PV system. CO3-K2

6 List the categories of stand-alone PV systems. CO3-K2

7 Sketch the energy flow diagram of a PV system used for stand-alone CO3-K2
system design.

8 Brief the steps in approximate design of a solar PV system. CO3-K2

9 Design the battery system for the voltage requirements of 24 volts and CO3-K2

capacity 900 Ah. The specifications of available battery are 12H and
150 Ah.
10 Explain Ah capacity and life cycle of a solar battery. CO3-K2

11 Explain deep discharge and DoD of a solar battery. CO3-K2

12 List the factors upon which the choice of a battery depends for the given CO3-K2

application.
Part C

1. Interpret the battery parameters to be taken into account while selecting CO3-K2

a suitable battery for a stand-alone PV system.

2. List the various types of mechanical solar tracking for a PV application. CO3-K2

Page 11 of 15
 How will you validate that tracking of a PV module improve the
performance of the system?
3. What is Maximum Power Point Tracking? Explain the significance of CO3-K2

MPPT in solar PV systems with a schematic.

4. Classify the losses that occur in a battery. Explain the parameters to be CO3-K2

considered for the selection of batteries for stand-alone PV system.

5. How will you determine the battery size for a stand-alone PV application CO3-K2

considering its capacity, voltage and all ratings? Illustrate with an

example.
6. Design a stand-alone solar PV system for a house which contains 3 fans CO3-K3

of 70 W each running for 4 hours a day, 3 tube-lights of 35 W each

running 8 hours a day and a refrigerator of 250 W running for 6 hours a
day.
7. Design a stand-alone solar PV system for a house which contains 4 fans CO3-K3

of 75 watts each running for 6 hours a day, 4 tube lights of 40 watts

each running for 7 hours a day and a refrigerator of 250 watts running
12 hours a day. Consider battery autonomy of 1 day.
8. Design a solar PV system for decentralized power supply to a health CO3-K3

center in a remote location containing the following

• 5 fans of 75 W each running 6 hours a day
• 10 LED lights of 14W each running 8 hours a day
• 1 A/C of 1000W running 4 hours a day
• 1 refrigerator of 250W running 12 hours a day
9. Design a stand-alone SPV system for a factory which contains 1Hp CO3-K3

motor (747 W) operating for four hours a day, 8 tube lights ,each of
50 W operating for 7 hours a day and 8 Fans, each of 75W operating 6
hours a day. Consider 1 day autonomy for battery.

10. Briefly explain the various stand-alone PV system configurations with CO3-K2

suitable schematics.

CO4 – UNIT - 5

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 Part A
1. Define simple Pay Back period of a PV system. CO4-K1

2. Define Life-Cycle costing of PV installations. CO4-K1

3. List any two economic indicators of financial analysis that are often used CO4-K2

for making rooftop solar PV plant.

4. Define Net Present value for a PV system. CO4-K1

5. When will the Net present value of the PV system positive? CO4-K2

6. Define savings-to-investment ratio for a PV system. CO4-K1

7. When the investment done on PV systems can be considered to be CO4-K2

effective?
8. Name any two software used of PV system economic study CO4-K2

9. Define adjusted internal rate of return of a PV installation. CO4-K1

10. What is the average life time of a stand-alone PV system? CO4-K2

11 Define final yield of grid tied PV system. CO4-K1

12 How will you calculate annualized unit cost of PV system? CO4-K2

13 What is meant by Energy payback period of a PV system? CO4-K2

14 Define Annualized LCC for a PV system. CO4-K2

Part B

1 State the procedure for estimating the Life cycle costing of PV CO4-K2

installations.
2 What is savings-to-investment ratio for a PV system? When its value will CO4-K2

be higher?
3 What is adjusted internal rate of return? When the PV project can be CO4-K2

considered cost effective?

4 How will you assess the simple Pay Back period of a PV system? CO4-K2

5 How will you examine the Net present value of a PV system? CO4-K2

6 Illustrate the economic indicators to carry out the economic analysis of a CO4-K2

PV installation.

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7 Enumerate the components to be considered for the calculation of LCC CO4-K2

of a decentralized PV installation.
8 How will you assess the economic feasibility of a solar street lighting CO4-K2

system?
9 Illustrate the components to be considered for the economic study of CO4-K2

street lighting system.

10 What is CFA? List the objectives of ‘Grid Connected Rooftop and Small CO4-K2

Solar Power Plants program’ by MNRE.

Part C

1. Illustrate the procedure for estimating the economics of a solar PV CO4-K2

system with suitable application.

2. A 40 KW solar PV system is installed @ Rs 47 per watt for the PV CO4-K2

module. The inverter cost @ Rs. 16/watt, structure & civil works @ Rs.
12/watt, interconnection with the grid @ Rs. 13/watt and miscellaneous
expenses @ Rs. 25/watt are incurred. If the MNRE subsidy is 30 % of
project cost, estimate the energy output, simple payback period, net cost
incurred and annual benefits. Make relevant assumptions if required.
3. What is simple payback period for a PV system? Illustrate with the initial CO4-K2

investment cost of the solar PV system designed for home lighting

system.
4. Explain the performance parameters to be taken into account in order to CO4-K2

get the optimum economic benefits from the installed roof top PV
system.
5. Explain the economic indicators for making rooftop solar PV plant CO4-K2

financial analysis.
6. A 10 KW rooftop PV system consists of 42 Nos. of 240 Wp @ Rs. 8000/- CO4-K2

per module. If the 10 KVA inverter cost @ Rs. 3.25 lakhs, battery @
Rs. 6,500 per unit and miscellaneous expenses Rs. 70000/- are
incurred, estimate the total initial investment, cost per kWh, payback
period and SIR of the plant.

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7. It is proposed to install 50 Nos. of solar street lights for a 2 km highway, CO4-K2

40 m apart. If the lamp cost @ Rs. 1800/- per unit, module cost @ Rs.
6500/- per unit, battery @ Rs. 8000/- per unit, controller @ 700/- per
piece and pole cost @ Rs. 7000/- per unit, estimate the total initial
investment. Consider civil works and miscellaneous expenses
accordingly. Determine the simple pay back of the installation.

8. Design a solar PV system and find the simple payback period for CO4-K2

decentralized power supply to a health center in a remote location

containing the following
• 8 fans of 75 W each running 10 hours a day
• 15 LED lights of 18W each running 12 hours a day
• 1 refrigerator of 250W running 12 hours a day

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