In the solar energy landscape there is an ensuing battle of consumer adoption. One side is touting the use of Silicon as the main energy collecting unit of the Solar Panel, the other side is parading CIGS(Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) …
The Tale of the Tape:
Silicon
1. Proven material and one of the most studied materials on the planet
2. 10 year ROI because of it’s high cost.
3. Current shortage of Silicon material which would be met by 2008.
4. 90% of solar panels produced are based on Silicon
CIGS
1. Cheaper to produce
2. New Kid on the block, reliability is still suspect.
If I were the consumer? I would bet on price… if I can’t afford it, then I wouldn’t buy it… if it has to be replaced every “n” no. of years, then it would be like getting your car battery replaced every “N” years… looks like I’m leaning towards CIGS, unless proven otherwise…
Original Article here from CNET
Supplemental Pictures here
Category: Solar
