Experts say increased demand for solar panels causes spike in silver prices

Researchers from Kent Business School published a paper this week in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research where they state that increased demand for solar panels causes silver prices to spike. After analyzing a series of datasets from the London Bullion Market, installed solar energy capacity and solar gross electricity production between 1990 and 2016, the academics noticed that silver prices have risen at the same time there has been a spike in demand for solar panels. Examples of such situations are the years following the 2008 global recession when silver prices rose to $18.99/ounce, and shortly after 2011, when there was worldwide concern oil prices were becoming too high and silver prices climbed to $48.03/ounce. In a university press release, researchers Iraklis Apergis and Nicholas Apergis said that the overall manufacturing and commercialization of solar panels could turn quite expensive if silver prices continue to rise. "This could require intervention from governments such as with energy credits or sales tax waivers to make them more cost-effective to encourage a transition to more renewable energy resources.