An electrical engineer is testing different configurations of 6 high-efficiency solar panels on a building facade. She wants to test 3 panels at a time. How many distinct groups of 3 panels can she select?

Sat, 02 May 2026 18:01:00 +0000

**Why Optimizing Solar Panels Matters More Than Ever in the US**
As renewable energy adoption accelerates across America, engineers are exploring smarter ways to maximize solar efficiency. One emerging focus is testing multiple panel configurations to determine the best layout for building facades. With rising energy costs and growing interest in sustainable urban design, even small gains in panel performance can drive meaningful improvements in building energy output. Understanding how these engineers test different setups sheds light on the real-world complexity behind high-efficiency solar integration. When evaluating six advanced solar panels, testing three at a time allows for thorough performance comparisons—balancing output, shade resilience, and mechanical compatibility. This hands-on approach reflects a broader shift toward data-driven energy solutions. --- **How Many Unique Configurations Are Possible? — A Simple Calculation**
The engineer’s goal: test all unique combinations of 3 panels from a total of 6. Rather than arranging all 6 in every order, this process uses combinatorial math—specifically, how many ways can 3 panels be chosen from 6—without repetition and where order doesn’t matter. The formula for combinations is C(n, k) = n! / [k!(n-k)!], where n = total items, k = size of groups.