Featured in Building resilience – 04-2026

Copper contender

Copper metallization is emerging as one of the most closely watched technological shifts in solar cell manufacturing as producers seek to reduce costs and dependence on silver. Pure-copper metallization, whether in screen printing or plating, remains far from gigawatt-scale realization, but more companies are dipping their toes into the transitional step of hybrid silver-copper solutions.

By

Lior Kahana

02 Apr 2026

Scientists work with silver paste on a production line,

DK Electronic Materials is working with partners to adopt its copper paste for commercial production. | Image: DK Electronic Materials

The metallization of the rear sides of solar cells with copper-hybrids is arriving at the mainstream, and as pastes improve, attention is beginning to turn to the front of the cell. Some players are even starting to consider pure copper metallization on both sides. “All of the world’s top 10 PV module manufacturers, along with …

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