Summary - Response

Solar energy affects the shortage and high price of polysilicon which is used in the manufacturing of solar cells and in the semiconductor industry. With the volatile price of polysilicon, there is uncertainty in the market for the manufacturing of solar cells. It also negatively affects new homeowners who are planning to install solar cells at home. Although solar energy is considered a renewable power resource, its usefulness is still questionable.


First, solar cell manufacturing affects the shortage in polysilicon material. Traditionally, the micro-electronics industry has been the biggest customer of polysilicon. Now the chip industry has to compete with the solar cell industry for polysilicon. While we are looking for an effective alternative energy source, the supply of this material grows more scarce. Tremendous demand is not always good, and may lead to higher prices in other products that use polysilicon, such as computers, mobile phones, i-pods, calculators, televisions, dvds, etc. As a result, consumers have to pay higher prices. We should take into account whether the gain of using solar energy will outweigh the excessive exploitation of other resources (i.e. polysilicon).

Next, with the high price of raw materials, the cost of solar energy will discourage its consumers and solar supporters. According to Wasserman (2006) “Many builders fear the extra costs of a solar system will price their product beyond the means of many buyers”, or “I sit on the other side of the table when I’m buying it, and it worries me”. In order to attract more customers solar energy must illustrate its economical cost and depend less on rare materials like polysilicon. This presents a challenge to solar energy going mainstream.

The effectiveness of solar energy as a main alternative energy solution remains doubtful.

Wasserman, J. (2006, May 3). Solar power dims amid shortage of key material. Sacramento Bee. [Online]. Retrieved June 4, 2006, from: http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=SOLAR-RISINGCOST-05-03-06