Causality between main product and byproduct prices of metals used for thin-film PV cells

Solar power is one of the most promising renewable energy sources. The source of solar power is almost limitless and does not produce significant pollution. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are a type of solar power device that convert sunlight into electricity. As concerns relating to renewable energy grow, the potential of PV cells as an important source of electricity increases. Although thin-film PV cells, also known as second-generation PV cells, are in the growth phase, their market has not yet matured, presenting significant opportunities for Asian countries leading in advanced technologies.
Thin-film cells need specific metals according to their types. For example, as its name indicates, a CIGS cell needs copper, indium, gallium, and selenium to make up a complete cell. Meanwhile, other types of cells require cadmium, tellurium, and germanium (Donald, 2010). Even though only small quantities of these metals are included in a cell, they play a critical role. With the exception of copper, the metals mentioned above are produced as byproducts.