Solar Power: The Silver Linings of Ditching Silver

Solar Power: The Silver Linings of Ditching Silver

Why wouldn’t everyone invest in solar? Well, for that reason exactly: it’s an investment. Although it’s praised for its low maintenance costs and long-term savings, it is still a hefty investment in terms of individual finance cost, manufacturing, and installation. The production of solar panels requires expensive raw material, such as high-grade silicon, and silver for the wiring and cells.

If the industry could just get the cost of materials down, the climate and environmental benefits would extend far beyond the energy sector.

An Australian organization called SunDrive solar recently made headlines for their use of copper wiring in solar cells, opening up the opportunity for solar production costs to plummet and increase global solar adoption.

We are joined by PV Magazine Founding Editor Jonathan Gifford to examine this achievement, and what it could mean for solar.

They also explore supply chains issues, tackling NIMBYism and together they predict the Next Big Things in solar tech.

The Interchange is brought to you by Schneider Electric. Are you building a microgrid? With a microgrid you can store electricity and sell it back during peak times. Keep your power on during an outage. Integrate with renewables. Control energy on your own terms. Having built more microgrids in than anyone else, Schneider Electric has the expertise to help.

The Interchange is brought to you by Bloom Energy. Bloom’s onsite energy platform provides unparalleled control for those looking to secure clean, reliable 24/7 power that scales to meet critical business needs. It eliminates outage and price risk while accelerating us towards a zero carbon future. Visit Bloom Energy to learn how to take charge today.

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Episoder(342)

OB3 and market uncertainty has put more pressure than ever on clean energy assets. How are owners and operators getting the most out of their wind, solar and storage? (Recorded Live at RE+ in Las Vegas)

OB3 and market uncertainty has put more pressure than ever on clean energy assets. How are owners and operators getting the most out of their wind, solar and storage? (Recorded Live at RE+ in Las Vegas)

In a year defined by uncertainty, this RE+ special episode of Interchange Recharged flips the script from “build more” to “get more from what you’ve got.” Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at W...

10 Sep 202556min

Forget Net Zero. Everyone’s talking about energy dominance, but is a rebrand really the best thing for climate action? Recorded at RE+ in Las Vegas as the energy industry’s biggest event gets underway, storytelling becomes part of the strategy.

Forget Net Zero. Everyone’s talking about energy dominance, but is a rebrand really the best thing for climate action? Recorded at RE+ in Las Vegas as the energy industry’s biggest event gets underway, storytelling becomes part of the strategy.

The policy environment in the US at the moment is challenging, but developers, utilities, and investors are still moving forward with decarbonisation goals and climate action; they’re just talking abo...

9 Sep 202515min

Could your EV power your home? A look at how electric vehicles could be used as two-way charging systems, easing strain on the grid.

Could your EV power your home? A look at how electric vehicles could be used as two-way charging systems, easing strain on the grid.

EV growth is moving, but is it moving quickly enough? Wood Mackenzie research projects battery electric vehicles to account for 58% of light vehicle sales globally by 2050. It won’t be until 2045 that...

26 Aug 202542min

Transferable tax credits for renewable projects has created a $52 billion market | How are clean energy developers making the most of it?

Transferable tax credits for renewable projects has created a $52 billion market | How are clean energy developers making the most of it?

Way back in 2016, US energy storage capacity had just hit 336MWh, a 100% year-on-year increase. The growth forecast for storage was for 7.3GWh by 2022 – a US$3.3 billion market. It’s just one example ...

12 Aug 202546min

What’s the forecast for energy projects as the Big Beautiful Bill looms over the industry? Developers and suppliers are adapting to the chaos – but how?

What’s the forecast for energy projects as the Big Beautiful Bill looms over the industry? Developers and suppliers are adapting to the chaos – but how?

The uncertainty rippling through the energy industry in the first half of 2025 hasn’t gone away. Utilities, developers, and manufacturers are still grappling with the fallout from the "One Big Beautif...

29 Jul 202539min

How is geothermal faring in 2025? Investment is booming but is the technology and policy support there?

How is geothermal faring in 2025? Investment is booming but is the technology and policy support there?

Despite uncertainty for US clean energy investors, things are looking good for the geothermal sector. US$1.7 billion in public funding was pumped into geothermal projects in Q1 this year - 85% of 2024...

15 Jul 202537min

The oil and gas majors are phasing down their renewable strategies. What does it mean for climate goals?

The oil and gas majors are phasing down their renewable strategies. What does it mean for climate goals?

In February this year BP announced it was cutting its investment in green energy ventures from $5B to $2B while reallocating $10B to fossil fuels, and abandoning its 2030 oil output reduction target. ...

1 Jul 202541min

The world’s most-used carbon accounting rule is about to get a major overhaul. What does it mean for clean energy buyers?

The world’s most-used carbon accounting rule is about to get a major overhaul. What does it mean for clean energy buyers?

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol – the global gold standard for measuring corporate emissions – is under review, and the proposed changes could dramatically reshape how clean energy is bought, sold, and re...

17 Jun 202534min

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