Consider the following critical minerals:
I. Neodymium
II. Tellurium
III. Dysprosium
IV. Gallium
Which of the above minerals are not used for the production of photovoltaic cells used in solar panels?
Answer
The correct answer is C: I and III. Tellurium and Gallium are both critical minerals used in photovoltaic solar cells — Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) are common thin-film solar cell technologies. Neodymium and Dysprosium, however, are rare earth elements used primarily in high-strength permanent magnets for wind turbines, electric vehicle…
A.I and IV
B.II and III
C.I and III✓ Correct
D.II and IV
Explanation
Tellurium and Gallium are both critical minerals used in photovoltaic solar cells — Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) are common thin-film solar cell technologies. Neodymium and Dysprosium, however, are rare earth elements used primarily in high-strength permanent magnets for wind turbines, electric vehicle motors, and electronics, but NOT in photovoltaic solar cells. Hence I (Neodymium) and III (Dysprosium) are not used in solar PV cells.
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