Material shortage hits solar power hopes

By Leo Lewis in Tokyo

Published: November 21 2006 02:00 | Last updated: November 21 2006 02:00 — FINANCIAL TIMES

The fragile economics of solar power could be thrown into jeopardy by a severe global shortage of the basic material used to convert the sun’s rays into electricity.

Industry experts warn that a worldwide shortage of poly-crystalline silicon will not ease in 2008, as some expect, but could continue for at least another five years.

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FULL DISCLOSURE: I’m a business wing nut, albeit with a green sensibility. The most distressing item in the complete article is that the poly-crystalline silicon shortage will push out solar’s financial feasibility beyond the current estimate of 2018.