Cadmium telluride—sounds like a potential pollution problem from manufacturer, doesn’t it? And, isn’t this material limited to under 1/2 the theoretical maximum conversion efficiency of silicon? I think there are some manufacturing advantages, but this sounds like a long-term prescription for a failing company.
I wondered exactly the same thing...I may not know much about solar cell manufacturing but cadmium is highly restricted(banned in a lot of former applications) and I imagine so is telluride. No EPA screaming on this one?
The sad part of all of this is that any GOOD solar manufacturing will be painted/tainted with the Solyndra brush. Dammit, we invented solar panels here in the US, building solar arrays for satellites and I believe it is a viable addition to an American energy industry portfolio. We need to take this industry back, make it attractive to manufacture here...and get the government out of the business of picking winners/losers.