Which of the following statements most apply for solar energy production in Tropical Africa?

Analyze the question: The question asks which statement best describes solar energy production in Tropical Africa. Think about the location (the tropics) and the nature of solar energy.

Explain the concept: Tropical Africa lies close to the equator, so it receives intense sunshine for most of the year (high insolation). Solar energy is a renewable resource, and the sun's rays fall almost vertically in the tropics. This makes the region well suited to solar power.

Evaluate each option:

• A. Generated without cost: Not accurate. Sunlight is free, but producing electricity needs solar panels, batteries, inverters, installation and maintenance, all of which cost money. So "without cost" is too absolute.
• B. Imported from Europe: Wrong. Solar energy is not imported as a product from Europe. It is harnessed locally from sunlight, even if some equipment is imported.
• C. Produced in higher latitudes: Wrong. Tropical Africa is in the low latitudes, not the higher latitudes.
• D. Cheap and readily accessible: Correct. The sunshine is abundant and widely available across the region, so the raw resource is cheap and easy to access compared with fossil fuels or hydroelectric dams. This is the best statement of the four.

Answer: The best option is D.

Exam tip: In "most applies" questions, eliminate options with absolute words such as "without cost" and options that contradict the location (higher latitudes, imported from Europe). The option that fits the region's natural advantage is usually correct.