Solar energy is also known as which?

Solar energy is also known as which?

• A. Hydroelectric
• B. Photovoltaics
• C. Wind energy
• D. Geothermal energy

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how sunlight is turned into electricity. When sunlight hits certain semiconductors, the photovoltaic effect occurs—photons knock electrons loose and create an electric current. Devices built on this principle are called photovoltaic cells, and when many of them are connected together, they form photovoltaic modules and arrays that directly generate electrical power. That connection to sunlight and electricity is why solar energy is also known as photovoltaics. Other options refer to different energy sources: hydroelectric uses water flow, wind energy uses moving air, and geothermal taps the Earth's internal heat. These are not the direct electricity-producing method from sunlight, which is what photovoltaics represents.

The key idea here is how sunlight is turned into electricity. When sunlight hits certain semiconductors, the photovoltaic effect occurs—photons knock electrons loose and create an electric current. Devices built on this principle are called photovoltaic cells, and when many of them are connected together, they form photovoltaic modules and arrays that directly generate electrical power. That connection to sunlight and electricity is why solar energy is also known as photovoltaics.

Other options refer to different energy sources: hydroelectric uses water flow, wind energy uses moving air, and geothermal taps the Earth's internal heat. These are not the direct electricity-producing method from sunlight, which is what photovoltaics represents.