Longi and DK Electronic Materials Announce Transition to Copper in PV Industry by 2026
Longi and DK Electronic Materials have announced a transition to copper-based metallization in the photovoltaic (PV) industry by 2026, driven by recent shifts in silver prices and growing demand for cost-effective solutions. Experts suggest that while the move to copper is technically and economically feasible, silver will still play a role in specific applications, with a projected usage of 2 to 3 mg per watt. Research is ongoing to enhance metallization processes and further reduce silver dependency in PV cells.
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The recent slight decline in silver prices follows a surge that peaked at over $94 per troy ounce. Chinese module manufacturer Longi announced a shift toward copper-based metallization, and DK Electronic Materials revealed a gigawatt-scale customer will adopt its high-copper paste for production.
These developments suggest 2026 could be pivotal for the photovoltaic (PV) industry's reduction of silver usage. Radovan Kopecek from ISC Konstanz indicated that transitioning to copper is both technically and economically feasible, with many project developers ready to adopt copper-metallized products.
Despite the shift, he expects silver will remain necessary at around 2 to 3 mg per watt for specific functions. Ning Song from UNSW noted that while adopting high-copper paste might entail minor efficiency losses, the cost trade-off is acceptable if reliability is maintained. Her team is exploring pathways to reduce silver use in PV cells through enhancements in metallization processes.
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