divider Q: I hear there is a photovoltaic shortage. What’s that all about?
Until recently, the market for refined silicon was sized to meet the needs of the “chip industry”. Over the last five years the rush to install Photovoltaic systems has increased demand for refined silicon beyond the existing capacity of the marketplace and the silicon refineries were reluctant to invest in more capacity. However the demand for solar modules and hence the need for refined silicon has been sustained and the refineries are responding with more refinery production capacity. It has been a rough couple of years, but we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. It is prudent to exercise caution when ordering modules as availability is still somewhat restricted.
