U.S. Department of Energy launches consortium cadmium telluride solar cell tech
by CM Staff
According to 360 Research, the CdTe solar cell market is expected to exceed $10 billion in 2027, more than double the roughly $4 billion in CdTe cells installed in 2021.
VANCOUVER — First Tellurium Corp. reports that the U.S. Department of Energy has launched the Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium, a $20 million initiative designed to make cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells less expensive and more efficient.
The consortium’s intent is to spur technological advancements in CdTe manufacturing to help increase America’s competitiveness, bolster domestic innovation and advance clean electricity deployment. The initiative augments President Biden’s goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.
“This news further supports our efforts to expand and develop the tellurium resource at the Deer Horn Project,” said First Tellurium president and CEO Tyrone Docherty in a statement.
“The demand for tellurium continues to increase, not only for solar cells, but for new battery technology and other applications. Currently the United States imports 95 per cent of its required tellurium.”
First Tellurium’s Deer Horn Property, located in west-central British Columbia, hosts a silver-gold-tellurium property with an NI 43-101 compliant tellurium resource.
The company is also exploring the Klondike tellurium-gold property in Colorado, a high-grade tellurium prospect held previously by First Solar, Inc.
According to 360 Research, the CdTe solar cell market is expected to exceed $10 billion in 2027, more than double the roughly $4 billion in CdTe cells installed in 2021. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that roughly 40 per cent of tellurium consumed in the U.S. during 2021 went to production of CdTe solar cells.
