NOVELTY - The method involves covering lower opening (11b) of crucible (11) accommodating powder silicon (12), with silicon block (15). An electrically conductive cylinder (16) is arranged outward of lower opening and is subjected to high frequency induction heating by high frequency induction coils (14). The powder silicon at bottom of crucible is melted by radiant heat from the cylinder, in initial stage melting process. The powder silicon is heated directly by coils after removal of cylinders so that melted granular silicon (19) is dripped from lower opening continuously.    USE - Method for manufacturing granular silicon such as single crystal and polycrystalline silicon used as raw material for substrate of solar cell.    ADVANTAGE - The granular silicon can be manufactured continuously by the continuous dripping of the melted granular silicon from lower opening of crucible, without using pre-heating apparatus even when high purity silicon is used as raw material. Since bottom of crucible is narrower, size reduction of crucible can be achieved and heating volume of crucible by induction coil can be reduced. Hence electric power used at time of high frequency induction heating can be reduced.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for granular silicon manufacturing apparatus that comprises stirring nozzle to spray reducing gas and stir powder silicon accommodated in crucible. An insertion/extraction unit performs insertion and extraction of electrically conductive cylinder at outward region of lower opening of crucible. The diameter of lower opening is 5-20mm. The granular silicon dripped from lower opening of the crucible is gradually cooled while rolling on inner surface of cooling inclination board.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the granular silicon manufacturing apparatus.    Crucible (11)    Lower opening (11b)    Powder silicon (12)    High frequency induction coil (14)    Silicon block (15)    Electrically conductive cylinder (16)    Granular silicon (19)