Featured in Born in the USA – 02-2026

No silver bullet for cell costs

While silver prices are skyrocketing and new solar cell technologies demand more of the precious metal, researchers are exploring ways to reduce or even eliminate silver from PV manufacturing. With copper, aluminum, or nickel on the front and rear of cells, novel metallization strategies are achieving silver-level efficiencies, and manufacturers are taking note.

By

Lior Kahana

05 Feb 2026

Silver powder is a component in the silver paste that is applied to wafers as a conductor. | Photo: Heraeus

As solar power moves to terawatt scale, the question is no longer whether silver can be used efficiently, but whether it can be relied upon indefinitely. The metal is used in various cell technologies, primarily for electrical conduction and current collection. On Jan. 19, 2026, silver prices hit $94 per troy ounce (31.1g), and Philip …

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