Question
What is the most common material used in power-generating photovoltaic cells?
Answer Options
- A) Selenium
- B) Silicon
- C) Cadmium sulfide
- D) Indium arsenide
Correct Answer: B
Explanation
Photovoltaic cells (solar cells) are semiconductor devices that use the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity from light. The choice of material is critical, as it must be able to convert sunlight efficiently while remaining abundant and affordable for mass production.
The most common material used in power-generating photovoltaic cells is Silicon. Silicon is favored because of its excellent material properties (its bandgap is well-suited to the solar spectrum), its abundance, and the mature, high-volume manufacturing processes available for silicon wafers. While other materials like gallium arsenide and cadmium telluride offer higher efficiency, silicon remains the dominant material for terrestrial solar power generation.
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