Letter Re: Solar Panel Shortage — Caused By Oil Price Shock

Hi Jim.
Just a quick one on [photovoltaic] solar panels. My brother and I had to put an order in for three 80 Watt Sharp brand panels that are usually just sitting on the shelf here at a major distributor. A container full arrives in two weeks but it’s already sold out! We have to wait a month. I did a little investigation with Google and found that the shortage is worldwide, is due to people, mostly Europeans, gearing up due to energy/oil cost. Silicon [photovoltaic panel] demand is beginning to outstrip supply and the foundries are running at maximum potential anyway. This appears to be a situation that could get a lot worse if demand continues to rise and it might be a good time for anyone thinking of buying to get in before the herd gets wind of it. Do a Google search on the phrase: “solar panel shortage.” Take care mate, – Frank