Which statement correctly describes solar energy conversion methods?

• A. Solar PV uses photovoltaic cells to directly convert sunlight into electricity
• B. Solar PV requires combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity
• C. Solar PV cannot be deployed in modular fashion
• D. Solar PV cannot operate during cloudy weather

Answer: (A)

Direct conversion of sunlight to electricity is what solar PV does best. Photovoltaic cells use semiconductor materials to absorb photons, which frees charge carriers and, with the built-in electric field at a p-n junction, drives them to flow as electric current. This process has no combustion and produces electricity directly, which also makes PV highly modular—you can add more panels to scale up from a small rooftop setup to a large solar farm. In addition, PV can operate under cloudy conditions, albeit at reduced output, because diffuse sunlight still excites the cells even when direct sun is blocked. The other statements don’t fit how PV works: there is no need for burning fossil fuels to generate electricity, PV installations can be deployed in modular configurations, and they can produce electricity on cloudy days (though less efficiently).