Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Polysilicon ingots serve as the initial material for solar panel production. These ingots undergo slicing into wafers, which are subsequently transformed into solar cells.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: India's polysilicon production capacity has grown from 18 GW in March 2022 to 38 GW in March 2023.

• Statement 3 is correct: ‘Approved List of Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic [PV] Modules’, also called the ALMM list “are eligible for use in Government Projects/Government assisted projects/ projects under Government schemes & programmes including projects set up for sale of electricity to the Central and State Governments.”

Supplementary Notes

• Polysilicon ingots are crucial raw materials in the production of solar panels. These ingots are typically produced through a process involving the purification of silicon, followed by melting and solidification into ingots.

• Solar cells basically consist of pure silicon, a metalloid which in nature is not available in that pure condition.

• A first step is the deoxidization of silicon dioxide (SiO2) through carbon arc welding (CAW). In this process, carbon dioxide (CO2) and silicon are produced.

• This silicon produce with ca. 99% still not sufficiently pure for solar cells must then further be purified. Purification is done through the floating zone technique under which the 99% silicon rods are moved through a heated zone many times into the same direction until all the impure parts of the rod are at one end of the silicon rod.

• The impure part is then cut off and the remaining 100% pure silicon rod can now be used in the production process.

Hence option 2nd is correct.