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Q7 (IAS/2014) Science & Technology › New Materials, Energy & Environment-linked Tech › Solar energy technologies Official Key

With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements : 1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilizes the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process. 2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC). 3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A - only statement 1 is correct.

**Statement 1 is correct:** Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity.[1] In contrast, concentrated solar power (CSP) or solar thermal technology utilizes focused sunlight and converts it into high-temperature heat, which is then channelled through a conventional generator to produce electricity.[2] This accurately describes the fundamental difference between the two technologies.

**Statement 2 is incorrect:** The statement reverses the actual outputs. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made up of semiconductor layers, and as a PV cell is exposed to sunlight, photons are absorbed by the solar cell[3] - this process generates Direct Current (DC), not AC. Grid-connected systems require inverters to transform DC power into alternating current (AC).[4] Solar thermal systems, on the other hand, use conventional generators that produce AC electricity.

**Statement 3 is incorrect:** India has an annual solar cell manufacturing capacity of about 3 GW while the average annual demand is 20 GW.[5] This clearly indicates that India does have a manufacturing base for photovoltaics, though it is insufficient to meet domestic demand.

Sources
  1. [1] NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World > Solar Energy > p. 117
  2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > az.r.z. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) or solar thermal technology. > p. 288
  3. [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > zz.r.r Photovoltaic Electricity > p. 288
  4. [4] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2015/07/solar-photovoltaic-energy_g1g57db2/9789264238817-en.pdf
  5. [5] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 15: Infrastructure > Solar Photovoltaics Manufacturing in India > p. 451
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements : 1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that g…
At a glance
Origin: Mixed / unclear origin Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 0/10
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This question is a classic 'Science meets Geography' hybrid. It tests fundamental physics (AC vs DC), basic definitions (PV vs Thermal), and economic awareness (manufacturing base). It rewards aspirants who don't just memorize 'Solar Target = 100GW' but understand *how* the energy is actually generated and the industrial reality of India.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In solar power production technologies, does photovoltaic (PV) technology generate electricity by directly converting sunlight (photons) into electrical energy?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World > Solar Energy > p. 117
Presence: 5/5
“India is a tropical country. It has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas. Some big solar power plants are being established in different parts of India which will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes, which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate supply of manure in agriculture.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity.
  • Frames PV as the direct-conversion route used for rural and remote electrification, implying photon-to-electric conversion.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > i) Solar Energy or Photovoltaic (Pv) Energy > p. 51
Presence: 5/5
“(i) Solar Energy or Photovoltaic (Pv) Energy Solar energy is one of the most important sources of green electricity. Solar energy is non-exhaustible, reliable and pollution free. It may be utilised for water heaters, power generation devices, airconditioning, space heating, development of pisci-culture, multifarious uses of water and refrigeration. Tis energy is generated by converting sunlight directly into electricity even on cloudy days, using semi-conductor technology. Even in the winter season a useful amount of hot water can be produced from roof top collectors. Te buildings are also designed in such a way in which solar energy may be generated and utilised.”
Why this source?
  • Describes generation of electricity by converting sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor technology.
  • Links the conversion mechanism to semiconductor-based PV cells (mechanistic support).
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > Solar Energy > p. 28
Presence: 5/5
“The Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) technology enables the conversion of solar radiation into electricity without involving any moving part like turbine. Over 650,000 solar PV systems have been installed in the country. In many parts of the country, the solar energy programmes have been implemented. One such example is the Rural Energy Co-operative at Sagar Island in the Sundarban Delta of West Bengal. Similar programmes have been implemented in the other islands in the Bay of Bengal, the desert of Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Kalyanpur (Aligarh), and Coimbatore (Fig. 8.8).”
Why this source?
  • States Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) technology converts solar radiation into electricity without moving parts, implying direct electrical generation from sunlight.
  • Contrasts PV with systems that require mechanical conversion (e.g., turbines), reinforcing direct conversion.
Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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