When considering solar stocks, the conversation always turns to the cost of silicon and solar wafers, the raw materials that go into solar cells and photovoltaic solar panels. For some time now, the industry has suffered a shortage in silicon. This has driven up prices and led to PV panel manufacturers implementing long-term contracts to assure adequate supply in the future. Many have thought that with new silicon suppliers coming online the shortage would soon ease and prices would begin to come down. An article today in Digitimes suggests that the price optimists are a little ahead of themselves. To quote the article: "Solar silicon wafer suppliers Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) and Green Energy Technology are considering raising their contract manufacturing quotes soon because of rising production costs..." What is driving the rise in prices? The increased prices "reflect the rising costs of materials - such as steel wire -and electricity which has been driven u...