Modern solar panels (as of 2025) use between 5 and 13 milligrams of silver per watt, which translates to 5 to 13 kilograms of silver per kilowatt of capacity. Total consumption of silver by the solar industry was estimated at 200 million oz in 2025. By 2030 it is estimated that the solar industry will consume 350 to 450 million oz per year. Global silver mine supply will not be increasing to meet that demand. Most of the best deposits have already been mined and depleted. The new deposits are generally smaller, lower quality ore and more expensive to mine. Globally all of the silver mines combined peaked in production back in 2015-2016. Production has been drifting down steadily in the past 10 years. If you are wondering why silver prices are going crazy from $30 to $80+ in the past year, it because demand exceeds supply. The silver markets have been in deficit for 6+ years, meaning above ground reserves in vaults are being depleted. At some point, it becomes more and more difficult to get investors of silver to sell from the vaults. There are many investors who won't sell at any price in US dollars, they are waiting for the next currency. How do you play this trend? 1) Buy and hold physical silver. It will just become more and more difficult to obtain in future years. 2) Invest in silver mining stocks, particularly the few companies that can increase their production in the coming years. I own Aya (ticker AYASF) in this sector. They can grow their production from 6 million oz to 43 million oz AgEq by 2030. I don't know of any other silver mining stock that has the mines in the pipeline which can grow production that much, during a silver shortage. Bookmark and remember this. Remind me in 2030.(Wall Street Mav)