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 generate 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?

The answer is A (1 only). Statement 1 is correct, while statements 2 and 3 are wrong.

Statement 1 (correct): Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Solar thermal (concentrated solar power) uses mirrors or heliostats to focus sunlight, heat a fluid or raise steam, and drive a turbine coupled to a generator.

• Statement 2 (wrong): PV cells produce direct current. Solar thermal plants produce alternating current because the turbine-generator set produces AC. Reversing the two is the error.
• Statement 3 (wrong): India has a substantial PV manufacturing base for cells and modules, built up under the National Solar Mission and later policies such as ALMM and PLI. Solar thermal manufacturing has been far more limited. The statement reverses the reality, and the PV base has grown further since 2014.

The core concept is the difference between direct conversion and thermal conversion. It matters for Mains answers on energy security, the non-fossil capacity targets, and the trade-off between rooftop PV and utility-scale thermal plants.

Trap: Aspirants assume every solar plant gives DC, or that the statement about manufacturing is a matter of technology rather than industrial policy. Check the physics first, then the policy.