What is the material trade-off frequently considered when selecting between copper and silver for PV cell wiring (busbars)?
Silver offers superior conductivity, but copper is significantly lower in cost.
The internal wiring components, such as thin ribbons and busbars responsible for collecting the generated current, are typically made of copper or sometimes silver. The choice involves a direct comparison of material performance versus economic impact. Silver possesses superior electrical conductivity, which would theoretically maximize the speed of electron collection and minimize resistive losses. However, silver carries a much higher cost profile. Copper, while perhaps not possessing the absolute highest conductivity, is substantially less expensive and often deemed perfectly adequate for standard commercial power production measured in megawatts, leading engineers to balance superior performance against cost constraints.
