A family is looking into purchasing and installing solar panels at the

Question

A family is looking into purchasing and installing solar panels at their home in order to apply an alternative energy resource and thus reduce their energy bills. The solar panels store up sunlight each day and convert it to energy for the home, with the more sunlight absorbed creating a surplus of energy for the home and offsetting energy bills. At present, however, the cost of investing in solar panels is comparatively greater than the return investment in decreased energy bills. Because of the expense that is required to produce and market the solar panels, the initial cost can sometimes take more than a decade to realize in energy cost advantage. The family is still planning on investing in the solar panels, however, believing that they will see a return fairly quickly.

Based on the information contained within the passage, which of the following, if true, most supports the decision by the family to invest in solar panels?

(A) The government is now offering incentives to homeowners who invest in solar panels.

(B) Coal is believed to be the most inexpensive source of energy, and producers expect to see a drop in coal prices soon.

(C) Silicon is a chief proponent of solar panels for many manufacturers, and silicon production is expected to rise considerably within the next few months.

(D) With the sharp rise in energy costs, consumer demand for solar panels has increased quickly, with several new manufacturers to begin production soon.

(E) The family lives in Southern California, where they receive a large amount of sunlight each day.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Overview:

In this question, the student is presented with a scenario in which a family is considering the purchase of solar panels, which are very high in cost. The passage explains the value of having solar panels: they store up sunlight and convert it to energy, thus reducing the cost of energy bills. Unfortunately, the cost of solar panels can be prohibitive, and it can take years to see a return on the investment. The family has decided, however, to invest in the solar panels in the belief that they will see a return quickly enough to make the cost of the panels worthwhile. The question then asks the student to select an answer choice that best explains the family’s decision within the context of the information in the passage.

The Correct Answer:

E There are several details in the passage that point to answer choice (E) as the correct answer. For one, the passage notes that the solar panels store up sunlight, and the more sunlight that is stored, the more energy is saved for the purpose of reducing the cost of energy bills. Additionally, the family believes that it will see a rather quick return on the investment of the solar panels. This should immediately point to location as a significant factor. If solar panels need more sunlight to help with the cost of energy bills, and the family is convinced that the investment will be worthwhile, it stands to reason that they live in a place where they will receive enough sunlight to make the solar panels a good investment. Answer choice (E) offers this explanation, so it is correct. Note: Again, this is a fairly simple question, so the student should not step into the trap of thinking too hard about it. The most obvious explanation is the correct one in this case, and the problems with the other answer choices will demonstrate this.

The Incorrect Answers:

A Answer choice (A) seems promising at first glance but not upon closer inspection. The family believes that it will see a return on the investment fairly quickly. This suggests that something significant will make the purchase of solar panels worthwhile. Answer choice (A) merely says that the government is offering incentives. There is no information about the type of incentives or the value of them in comparison to the solar panels. Without more information, answer choice (A) does not offer enough detail to explain the family’s decision, so it is incorrect.

B In bringing up the mention of coal—which is not discussed or implied in the passage—answer choice (B) has no clear relevance to the passage, so it may be eliminated immediately.

C, D Answer choices (C) and (D) both deal with the supply/demand ratio. In answer choice (C), the increased production of silicon suggests that the production of solar panels is expected to rise in the near future, with the added possibility of reduced cost. That is interesting information, but it has no relevance for the family that is purchasing solar panels now. Answer choice (C) cannot be correct, so it may be eliminated. As for answer choice (D), it too suggests that an increased production of solar panels will reduce the cost over time, but that means nothing for the family that is in the process of purchasing solar panels right now. Answer choice (D) may also be eliminated.

MayankChokhra · Answer

Can anyone please explain what is wrong with my logic?

I chose D.

Why I didn't choose E?
Because the family already knew where they lived and had probably considered that the region received more sunlight. So, probably they must have considered that in their calculation while calculating the return.
Now, after all this how could they expect return any sooner than what they had calculated. I agree that they would get their return fast. But that would have already shown up in their calculations. How could they go any faster?

Why E?
With cost of energy rising the alternatives should become more lucrative. Since, the cost of energy has increased the family might get their return faster because now the difference in the prices of energy through normal means and through solar panels will increase. So their savings, too, must increase.

I hope I made any sense. Sorry if I was too verbose.

Thank you.

Posted from my mobile device

unraveled · Answer

A family is looking into purchasing and installing solar panels at their home in order to apply an alternative energy resource and thus reduce their energy bills. - Intent of family is shown, which is the core of the argument later on. The solar panels store up sunlight each day and convert it to energy for the home, with the more sunlight absorbed creating a surplus of energy for the home and offsetting energy bills. - Some details about panels is given, whether important or not depends upon the question stem and answer choices. Sadly, I, however, chose to ignore it as i thought the next sentence is given more importance in the passage.

At present, however, the cost of investing in solar panels is comparatively greater than the return investment in decreased energy bills. Because of the expense that is required to produce and market the solar panels, the initial cost can sometimes take more than a decade to realize in energy cost advantage. - The word 'however' made me think that this sentence is stresses upon more. So, i stuck to cost thing while analysing answer choices. The family is still planning on investing in the solar panels, however, believing that they will see a return fairly quickly. - Family's final decision to invest. Our conclusion. Based on the information contained within the passage, which of the following, if true, most supports the decision by the family to invest in solar panels? (A) The government is now offering incentives to homeowners who invest in solar panels. (B) Coal is believed to be the most inexpensive source of energy, and producers expect to see a drop in coal prices soon. (C) Silicon is a chief proponent of solar panels for many manufacturers, and silicon production is expected to rise considerably within the next few months. (D) With the sharp rise in energy costs, consumer demand for solar panels has increased quickly, with several new manufacturers to begin production soon. (E) The family lives in Southern California, where they receive a large amount of sunlight each day. Only A and E are contenders as can be seen from GC's data of marked answers. For a moment, even before reading the answer choices, i thought that sunlight intensity would play a major role in this passage. However, the mistake of not reading properly cost me to go for A eventually. Should have paid attention to highlighted text in the passage. I was also going in right direction to think whether govt's 'incentive' is enough to compensate the 'initial cost' that the family would incur. Two reasons make E a better choice 1. That sunlight would be large EACH day. 2. What 'incentive' means actually. Its an open option that can go in either direction. Answer E.

ayushgmatclub1 · Answer

If you can't judge whether the amount of incentive that govt. gives will be sufficient or not, then how can you judge that the large amount of sunlight will help this particular family to realize the ROI fairly quickly?
It can be that the amount of sunlight required is too much that even daily level of large sunlight can't help much?!
This way if A is not strong enough, E is not strong either.

Westfolia007 · Answer

The strengthener has to be in the lines of the conclusion right? So here the family has concluded that it will have a "quick ROI" which means no matter how cheap or expensive their current investment on the panel is, the savings on the bills or the ROI would be a lot quicker than it would have been otherwise? The only way this can happen is we can consider the following situations : 1) The efficiency of the panels increases tremendously 2) Due to some phenomenon, the average sunlight received would increase 3) They live in an area where they receive a lot of sunlight (more than what is usually expected) E is in line with the 3rd option This is my opinion and I may be wrong. please free to correct me

rmahe11 · Answer

I believe D should be also right. Let's say demand increases so the cost of production of solar panels will come down, hence the re is possibility of getting higher returns. Just because South california has lot of sunlight we cant predict . There is possibility that Solar panels may not tolerate the heat or even weather pattern might change

A family is looking into purchasing and installing solar panels at the

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