A team studied four types of solar panel coatings under identical sun exposure. They reported energy output (W/m²) at 25°C and at 45°C: Coating I, 180 W/m² at 25°C, 165 W/m² at 45°C; Coating II, 175 at 25°C, 170 at 45°C; Coating III, 185 at 25°C, 150 at 45°C; Coating IV, 170 at 25°C, 168 at 45°C. The researchers argued that the best coating for hot climates is not the one with the highest peak output but rather the one whose performance degrades least with temperature. The strongest data support for this nuanced claim is ______
Which choice most logically completes the text using the data above?
- A
the average output across all four coatings.
- B
Coating I's modest drop of 15 W/m² between 25°C and 45°C.
- C
Coating III's highest 25°C output (185 W/m²).
- Dcheck_circle
Coating IV's drop of only 2 W/m² between 25°C and 45°C, despite its lower peak output.
Explanation
The nuanced claim is that low temperature-degradation matters more than peak output for hot climates. Choice C uniquely demonstrates this by highlighting Coating IV's tiny drop (2 W/m²) despite a lower peak. Choice A actually supports the rejected "highest peak" view.