Comment The silicon shortage that has continuously monopolized the anti-solar argument for the past two years has actually done more to spur innovation and further the technology than actually deter the market from jumping on board.
Rather than solar investors running for the hills every time silicon shortage reports come up, savvy Green Chip investors have simply turned their focus towards those companies using the silicon shortage to their advantage.
A perfect example is Evergreen Solar (ESLR:Nasdaq)
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In an effort to conserve silicon supplies while remaining competitive in the photovoltaic market, Evergreen Solar patented a manufacturing technology that produces its solar cells with just two-thirds the silicon that conventional manufacturers use.
Ultimately, this manufacturing process produces nearly one-and-a-half times as much power per pound of refined silicon as conventional methods.
In less than two years, Evergreen Solar has shot up over 600%.
But Evergreen Solar isn’t the only silicon-conserving game in town.
Today, some of the most impressive R&D in the world of solar is coming from labs that are perfecting CIS thin-film solar technology.
CIS thin-film solar is based on Copper, Indium and Selenium – a cell combination that while producing a lower total energy output than crystalline solar cells, is also much cheaper to manufacture…and doesn’t rely on silicon!
One of the leaders in CIS thin-film is Royal Dutch Shell. And its CIS solar has achieved some of the highest efficiency ratings for thin-film yet.
And just a few weeks ago, a small Massachusetts-based upstart called Stellaris Corporation won MIT’s Ignite Clean Energy Business Presentation. Now the company is negotiating with investors to raise money to begin manufacturing its solar panels which the company claims can be produced at a 40% discount to traditional panels by using special lenses to concentrate the sunlight as it hits the panel.
The idea is that by amplifying the light, the company can use less photovoltaic material.
The company intends to use thin-film technology as well.
For the latest in thin-film solar technology, as well as the companies profiting from silicon shortages, visit Green Chip Stocks now.
-Jeff Siegel
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