Metals commentary: Solar energy to charge demand, says Silver Institute

The following is an edited excerpt from a release by the Silver Institute. For more information, visit www.silverinstitute.org.

As the sun gains popularity as an energy source, silver, because of its intrinsic properties, has a growing importance in the design and construction of solar energy installations. By 2015, silver-use in photovoltaics could exceed 100 million oz. – which is double the 50 million oz. used in 2010.

Solar energy installations use thin-film designs, which conserve space and materials. These installations consist of arrays of photovoltaic cells, usually made from silicon. Cells are often coated with a thin film of silver to maximize light absorption and capture active components. 

Silver is the most efficient metal conductor of electrical and heat energy. It is the major component of circuitry elements that transfer energy to storage reservoirs, or to devices making direct use of photovoltaic-produced energy. 

Silver is used in a paste at cell contact points in photovoltaic arrays. These arrays are mounted on a substrate, and from contact points, silver wires and inks provide an efficient transfer network to the ultimate destination. 

Overall demand for silver in electrical and electronics applications was estimated at 243 million oz. in 2010, as published in the Silver Institute’s World Silver Survey 2011.