Deep Dive: G4E09
The correct answer is B: 0.5 VDC. The approximate open-circuit voltage from a fully illuminated silicon photovoltaic cell is 0.5 VDC. Silicon solar cells produce about 0.5 volts per cell under full illumination. For amateur radio operators, this helps when designing solar power systems. Understanding this helps when calculating panel voltages.
Why Other Answers Are Wrong
Option A (0.02 VDC): Incorrect. 0.02 volts is way too low - silicon cells produce about 0.5 volts, not 0.02 volts. 0.02V would be unusable. Option C (0.2 VDC): Incorrect. 0.2 volts is too low - silicon cells produce about 0.5 volts, not 0.2 volts. 0.2V is below typical cell voltage. Option D (1.38 VDC): Incorrect. 1.38 volts is too high - silicon cells produce about 0.5 volts, not 1.38 volts. 1.38V would be multiple cells.
Exam Tip
Silicon photovoltaic cell voltage = 0.5 VDC. Think 'S'ilicon 'C'ell = 'S'ingle cell = '0'.5 volts. Silicon solar cells produce approximately 0.5 volts per cell under full illumination. Not 0.02, 0.2, or 1.38 volts - just 0.5 volts per cell.
Memory Aid
Silicon photovoltaic cell voltage = 0.5 VDC. Think 'S'ilicon 'C'ell = 'S'ingle cell = '0'.5 volts. Silicon solar cells produce approximately 0.5 volts per cell under full illumination. Standard cell voltage.
Real-World Example
A single silicon solar cell under full sunlight produces about 0.5 volts open-circuit. A solar panel with 36 cells in series produces about 18 volts (36 × 0.5V). This 0.5 volts per cell is the standard for silicon photovoltaic cells.
Source & Coverage
Question Pool: 2023-2027 Question Pool
Subelement: G4E
Reference: 2023-2027 Question Pool · G4 - Amateur Radio Practices
Key Concepts
Official Pool Source
Question text and answer key are synchronized with the current NCVEC General Class pool and mapped to the G4E topic.