Recovering silver from PV waste via green graphene
Researchers at James Cook University have developed a process to synthesize graphene from tangerine peel oil, which they then used to recover silver from waste PV material. To demonstrate the quality of the recovered silver and the synthesized graphene, they made a dopamine sensor that reportedly outperformed reference devices.
Optimizing electrically conductive adhesives for solar cell interconnections
German research institute ISC Konstanz has developed a new method to measure the contact resistance of solar cell interconnections made with electrically conductive adhesives (ECA). The proposed approach reportedly enables the precise characterization of both contact resistivity and bulk resistivity.
New metallization tech for HJT solar cells minimizes silver use, increases efficiency
German research institute Fraunhofer ISE has unveiled a new metallization process for heterojunction solar cells that reportedly increases power conversion efficiencies by over 0.1% while reducing silver consumption. A device built with the new technique achieved an efficiency of 23.2%.
PV industry demand for silver could rise by 20% this year
Demand for silver in the photovoltaic industry hit 193.5 million ounces in 2023, according to the Silver Institute. It predicts that demand will grow by another 20% in 2024.
Low-temperature processes to reduce silver use in tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells
Researchers from Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE developed new techniques to reduce silver consumption in tandem perovskite silicon solar cells and heterojunction silicon PV devices. The new processes relate to cell metallization and module interconnection.
Novel approach to identify silver shortages in PV industry
A Dutch-German research team has used a unique method to detect silver shortages in the PV industry. By mapping the silver supply chain from 1995 to 2021, they have identified distinct supply patterns and associated risks.
Average silver price expected to drop 2% to $21.30 per ounce this year
The US Silver Institute’s “World Silver Survey 2022” report shows that the price of the metal will fall slightly this year despite increasing demand from the PV industry.
Only5mins! – Solar sector set to slim down on silver
pv magazine speaks with Matthew Watson, president of Precious Metals Commodity Management LLC, about silver demand and availability. He says the solar industry has managed to reduce silver consumption, but it may have to do more in the future.
Only5mins! – Silver price outlook and PV industry impact
Michael DiRienzo, executive director of The Silver Institute, tells pv magazine that average silver prices will hover around $23 per ounce this year, without any anticipated supply disruptions for the solar industry.
Solar Inventions gets patent for silver-saving configurable current solar cells
Solar Inventions has patented technology that could save between $2 million and $5 million per gigawatt in solar projects, while also raising rated power output. The company has patents in the United States, China and Israel for its cell configuration.
