A bright solar industry lost in the sand?
The solar industry is
booming right now. Research
is producing the greatest efficiencies ever achieved
in solar cell energy efficiency. Solar companies, such
as Evergreen
solar, are signings 100's of millions of dollars
worth of deals. Just when the future of the solar
industry seems so bright, a sand storm clouds its ray
of light.
Because demand for solar power technology is increasing so dramatically, there is now a severe silicon shortage. Compared to last year, the demand for polysilicon has doubled, yet polysilicon manufacturing is at it's limits - it simply cannot keep up with demand. Even worse, it takes some $300 million to build a polysilicon manufacturing plant.
Consequently, it could easily take a few years for the silicon supply to catch up with the solar power demand.
Hopefully, rather than stymie the industry too much, the silicon shortage will lead to new technological breakthroughs that extend the supply of silicon, or even move beyond silicon.
Because demand for solar power technology is increasing so dramatically, there is now a severe silicon shortage. Compared to last year, the demand for polysilicon has doubled, yet polysilicon manufacturing is at it's limits - it simply cannot keep up with demand. Even worse, it takes some $300 million to build a polysilicon manufacturing plant.
Consequently, it could easily take a few years for the silicon supply to catch up with the solar power demand.
Hopefully, rather than stymie the industry too much, the silicon shortage will lead to new technological breakthroughs that extend the supply of silicon, or even move beyond silicon.
