What type of energy does photovoltaic action use to produce electricity?

Photovoltaic action is the process by which solar cells convert light energy directly into electricity. When light, specifically photons from the sun, strikes the surface of a solar cell, it excites electrons within the material. This excitation allows the electrons to flow, creating an electrical current. Therefore, light is the necessary energy source that initiates this process, making it the correct choice.

Other forms of energy such as thermal energy, mechanical energy, and chemical energy are not utilized in this specific transformation to generate electricity. Thermal energy typically relates to heat, mechanical energy involves the movement and kinetic energy, and chemical energy is associated with reactions between substances to release energy. In the context of photovoltaic systems, these forms of energy do not play a role in the conversion process that enables the production of electricity from sunlight.