There can be no denying the fact that solar energy is an effective source of power, one that is going to serve us for long. Despite the need to harness this energy, very little research has been conducted to make photovoltaic cells cost-effective and thereby available for utilization by masses for their various devices. Photovoltaic cells use sunlight and convert it directly to electricity without leaving any residual elements that can pollute the environs, and is therefore believed to be the energy source that could be available to mankind.

Besides being used in power generation, photovoltaic cells find applications in other non-space application programs. The ability of solar cells to help produce significant quantities of hydrogen, which has been difficult to produce on a substantial scale till now, is an encouraging sign as it indicates the possibility that hydrogen could be used as an alternative fuel source in future.

Given this scenario, many people wonder why the scientific community is not aggressively promoting this naturally and abundantly available energy source. The fact is that the overall picture is not as sunny as it appears on the surface. The economics of generating solar power is a severe drawback and till date the efficiency levels have been far from satisfactory. Till now scientists seem to have maintained the unidirectionality of their research and focused only on single-crystal silicon cells, the efficiency of which is ridiculously low. Therefore, research funds, by and large, have been used for costly and inefficient silicon cells that seem to hold little promise even in the future. Extensive research on non-silicon based cells is the need of the hour as fossil fuels like petrol will be exhausted soon.

1. The primary purpose of the author is to:

(A) Propose an alternative to silicon-based solar cells.
(B) Elaborate on the advantages of photovoltaic cells.
(C) Offer a critique of the utility and potential of solar cells.
(D) Compare traditional methods of generating power with those of solar electricity.
(E) Trace the origin of an invention that has massive potential.



2. The tone of the passage can best be described as:

(A) Pedantic and impractical.
(B) Critical and deprecating.
(C) Argumentative but admiring.
(D) Balanced and analytical.
(E) Ironic and contentious.



3. The content of the passage can best be used to support the argument for:

(A) Giving up the practice of using charcoal to produce solar energy.
(B) Using unconventional methods to replace fossil fuels.
(C) Further research for developing more efficient photovoltaic cells.
(D) Using solar energy as a supporting power system.
(E) Finding ways to produce significant quantities of hydrogen by using photovoltaic cells.



4. In the first paragraph of the passage, the expression 'available for utilization by the masses' has been used by the author to emphasize:

(A) The collection of a lot of data and information for the purpose of conducting extensive research.
(B) The need to think of cheaper ways of providing solar energy generated electricity, ready to be consumed by the common man.
(C) The need to use solar energy related technology for the purpose of domestic consumption.
(D) The importance of investing in research to produce cheaper versions of existing powered batteries and equipment.
(E) Proposing an innovative approach to the use of technology that is cheap and does not cause pollution.