Silver – The Key to Efficient Energy Collection and Transport

Silver, of all Metals, is the Most Efficient Conductor of Electrical and Thermal Energy

(Washington, D.C. – June 8, 2011) As the sun increasingly is used as a source of energy, silver, because of its intrinsic properties, will have growing importance in the design and construction of solar energy installations. In fact, by 2015, silver’s use in photovoltaics could double to over 100 million ounces (Moz) of silver in consumption over the 2010 figure of 50 Moz, according to the Silver Institute.

Solar energy installations are continuing to evolve using thin-film designs, which are more conserving of both space and materials. These installations consist of arrays of photovoltaic cells usually made from silicon. These are often coated with a thin film of silver to maximize light absorption and capture on active components.

Silver, because it has the highest efficiency as a conductor of both electrical and heat energy, is also the major component of circuitry elements that transfer the energy to storage reservoirs or to devices making direct use of the photovoltaic-produced energy. Silver is used in paste at the contact points of cells in the photovoltaic arrays. These arrays are then mounted on a substrate, and from these contact points, silver wires and inks provide the most efficient transfer network to the ultimate destination.

Other industries have energy efficiency benefits from incorporating silver. For example, silver is being utilized by the automobile industry, which consumed 36 Moz of silver in 2010. Electrical uses of silver that have recently been added to automotive construction include seat adjustment circuitry, global positioning systems, and finer control of windshield wiper settings.

Silver is also being increasingly used for more efficient and safer operation of electronic devices such as cell phones, where 13 Moz of silver were consumed in 2010. Personal computers and laptops, where silver plays a key role in the circuitry, used 22 Moz of silver last year. Solid state lighting and radio frequency identification tags also make use of the electrical conductivity properties of silver and combined could utilize nearly 10 Moz of silver by 2015.

Overall demand for silver in electrical and electronics applications was estimated at 243 Moz in 2010, as published in World Silver Survey 2011.

“Silver surrounds us. And every day, from our commute to work, to our cell and smart phones, to the lighting in our workplace and homes, to our computers, silver is an important element which makes our lives more convenient and energy efficient,” stated Michael DiRienzo, Executive Director of the Silver Institute.

The Silver Institute is a nonprofit international industry association headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1971, the Institute serves as the industry’s voice in increasing public understanding of the value and many uses of silver.

For Further Information Contact:
Mike DiRienzo
The Silver Institute
888 16th Street, N.W., Suite 303

Washington, D.C. 20006
Tel: (202) 835-0185
Fax: (202) 835-0155