Silicon Substitute

Solar panels that are cheaper to make than the silicon versions that dominate the market today could play a key role in shrinking what many people consider to be solar power’s dark side: its high cost.

These panels, based on a technology known as “thin film,” convert sunlight into electricity using little or no silicon, the price of which had been surging until the economic downturn put a dent in demand.

While thin-film panels sell for as much as 40% less than their silicon counterparts, they also, on average, produce roughly half as much energy per square meter, meaning they require more panels and a larger installation area to generate the same amount of electricity.

Wall Street Journal

If there is a paywall, do a Google search for “silicon substitute.”