Worksheet 7.

1
Solar cells
Solar cells are used increasingly, but what are their
advantages and disadvantages?
In the table below, you will find some true statements about solar cells.

Solar cells convert the energy of sunlight into electricity.

Solar cells are made using silicon. This is a relatively cheap material.
Some hazardous waste is produced when solar cells are manufactured.
Solar cells can be used to charge up a battery.
Several square metres of solar cells are needed to supply a single
household with electricity.
Solar cells only work in bright daylight.
Solar cells work well in tropical countries where the Sun is higher in the
sky so that the sunlight is brighter.
Each solar cell generates a low voltage, so many must be connected
together to provide a high voltage.
If people buy more solar cells, they will become cheaper.
Sunlight is free, but only when the sun is shining.
In use, solar cells do not produce damaging gases such as carbon dioxide.
Solar cells have no moving parts, so they are difficult to break.
Scientists are working to produce cheaper solar cells.
Solar cells are used to power spacecraft because they rarely break down.
Read each statement, and decide whether it is an advantage or a
Cambridge University Press 2014
Worksheet 7.11

IGCSE Physics

disadvantage of solar cells as a source of energy.

Then, write four paragraphs about solar cells. Each paragraph should
comment on one of the following:

the
the
the
the

cost of solar cells

reliability of solar cells
scale (size) of solar cells
environmental impact of using solar cells.

You should copy the relevant sentences from the table to make up your
paragraphs. Your finished paragraphs will not all be the same length, but all
together they should contain all the information listed in the table!

Cambridge University Press 2014

Worksheet 7.12

IGCSE Physics