Solar energy hopes to shine with less silicon

Solar energy specialists are forecasting a bright future by focusing on technology that uses less silicon as they move toward cost-per-kilowatt hour parity with traditional power generating firms.

Meeting with about 150 prospective investors at the Cowen and Company’s Clean Tech Conference at the Le Parker Meridian Hotel, solar players said Thursday their business also depends on success in the U.S. after rapid European adoption, as well as continued tax credits to encourage investment in the technology.
Two types of cutting-edge solar technology are taking center stage as the industry moves beyond the traditional crystalline silicon solar cells popularized in the 1960s and 70s: thin film solar, which contains lower amounts of expensive silicon, as well as solar concentrators, which use an array of lenses or mirrors to magnify the sun’s power to boost electrical output and efficiency.

Jens Meyerhoff, chief financial officer of First Solar Inc., said the thin film industry will be driven by offering the lowest cost per watt in the solar sector.

“Demand in the near term is not a big concern,” Meyerhoff said.

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