SiliconBeat

A report just issued by UC-Berkeley notes that a wide variety of materials could result in lower cost solar cells. Researchers Dan Kammen, Cyrus Wadia and Paul Alivisatos note that mostcompanies still use silicon to make solar cells, and that both CdTe (cadmium telluride) and CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) are in use in making thin-film solar cells.

The team tested 23 semiconductor materials, and found that 12 are abundant enough to meet or exceed worldwide energy demand. And that 9 of the 12 could represent a significant cost reduction over silicon.

That short list includes: iron pyrite, copper sulfide, copper oxide.

Click here to read the full press release.