With reference to technology for solar power production, consider the following statements:
1. 'Photovoltaics'

Question

With reference to technology 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 utilises the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in the electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3. India has a manufacturing base for Solar Thermal Technology but not for photovoltaics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, typically producing Direct Current (DC) which is then converted to Alternating Current (AC) for grid use. Solar thermal technology, on the other hand, uses concentrated sunlight to heat a fluid, which then drives a turbine to generate electricity, a process akin to conventional power plants. While India has made significant strides in both PV and solar thermal manufacturing, statement 2 is incorrect as PV systems primarily generate DC, and statement 3 is also incorrect due to the presence of a growing PV manufacturing sector in India.