From our vantage point there does not seem to be much of a silicone shortage here in California.  The cosmetic surgery industry seems to be expanding quite rapidly.

On the other hand, a shortage of refined silicon does persist in the solar power industry.  Based on dramatic increases in production capacity, industry experts expect this shortage to moderate in 12 to 18 months. As long as demand for refined silicon and solar modules exceeds supply, prices are likely to remain high. Nevertheless, incentives and all-time high electric rates make the economics for solar power better than they have ever been.