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Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Renewable energy systems

How often Renewable energy systems comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 7 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

OL Asked on 7 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Renewable energy systems, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Renewable energy systems.

(a)A heat pump with a COP of 4 gives?
  1. 4 times the running cost of a boiler
  2. 4 units of heat per unit of electricity
  3. 40% efficiency
(b)Why do evacuated tubes outperform flat-plate collectors in winter?
  1. They work on their own, without a pump or controller
  2. They are cheaper to buy and install
  3. The vacuum cuts heat loss from the absorber
(c)Ideal orientation and tilt for solar panels in Ireland?
  1. Facing south at 30–45°
  2. Facing east, laid flat
  3. Facing north at 90°
Show the answers

(a) 4 units of heat per unit of electricity

(b) The vacuum cuts heat loss from the absorber

(c) Facing south at 30–45°

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Renewable energy systems.

Higher Level

Asked on 7 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q5, Q8
2023Q6
2022Q8, Q10b
2021Q8, Q9
2019Q6
2018Q8
2017Not asked
2016Q6

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Renewable energy systems questions

Renewable energy systems, 2 marks

Where does an air-to-water heat pump get its heat?

  1. From an electric element inside the cylinder
  2. From pipes buried in the ground outside
  3. From the outside air, even in cold weather
Show the answer

From the outside air, even in cold weather

The refrigerant in the outdoor unit is colder than the air, so it absorbs heat even at 0 °C. The heat pump then lifts it to heating temperature.

Renewable energy systems, 3 marks

Why does a heat pump's hot water cylinder have a very large coil?

  1. It lets the cylinder run without a thermostat
  2. Lower flow temperature needs more surface to pass heat
  3. It stores the refrigerant
Show the answer

Lower flow temperature needs more surface to pass heat

A heat pump heats water at a lower temperature than a boiler. A bigger coil area lets it pass the heat quickly enough to reheat the cylinder in reasonable time.

Renewable energy systems, 3 marks

Why does a PV panel produce less when it gets very hot?

  1. Cell efficiency drops as temperature rises
  2. Hot panels reflect all the light
  3. The inverter switches off above 20 °C
Show the answer

Cell efficiency drops as temperature rises

PV cells convert light, not heat, and their voltage falls as they warm. An air gap behind the panels helps them stay cooler, so bright, cool days give the best output.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 7 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q8i
2023Q3, Q8h
2022Q8d
2021Q8e
2019Not asked
2018Q8e
2017Q3, Q8g
2016Q3

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Renewable energy systems questions

Renewable energy systems, 3 marks

A heat pump uses 200 kWh of electricity at 30 cent per kWh. What does it cost?

  1. €6
  2. €600
  3. €60
Show the answer

€60

Cost = kWh × price = 200 × €0.30 = €60. Change cent to euro (30 cent = €0.30) before multiplying.

Renewable energy systems, 3 marks

A heat pump with a COP of 4 gives 800 kWh of heat. How much electricity does it use?

  1. 804 kWh
  2. 200 kWh
  3. 3200 kWh
Show the answer

200 kWh

Electricity = heat ÷ COP = 800 ÷ 4 = 200 kWh. The heat pump gives out more heat than the electricity it uses.

Renewable energy systems, 2 marks

Which heat pump is cheaper to run?

  1. One with a COP of 4
  2. One with a COP of 2
  3. Both cost the same
Show the answer

One with a COP of 4

A higher COP gives more heat for each unit of electricity, so the bill is lower.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies