"Bismuth could be an alternative to toxic lead in next-generation solar cells."

Is lead still used in common, mass-produced solar panels currently on the market? Wikipedia:

"Lead-based semiconductors such as lead telluride and lead selenide are used in photovoltaic cells and infrared detectors."

Wiki page for lead telluride mentions thermo-electric materials, page for lead selenide mentions IR imaging & detectors. Neither page even mentions solar panels.

Searching turns up mentions of use in flexible solar panels, which have a tiny market share. And iirc some/most of those use cadmium rather than lead compounds? (ok cadmium is equally nasty)

There's mention of lead solders used in solar panel construction. Leaded solders have been banned in EU due to its RoHS directive for a looong time, spare a few niche applications. Solar panels among those? If ever: still the case in 2026?

True: bismuth is used in some solders for similar reasons as lead.

And ofcourse there's recycling. One source mentioned ~0.1% of recycled panels by weight. Another source says overall lead content lower-level than safety limits for material on children's playgrounds.

All in all, that "toxic lead" statement reads more like outdated info. If not FUD.