It's simple to get solar cells, according to him - that is, if you have room and transportation for a few tons of them.
The companies won't deal with small lots - anything in the pounds. If you want several tons, and can arrange to transport it yourself, then you might be in business if you can talk to the right person at the company.
The eBay seller happened to be near Evergreen Solar, so his connections were fairly close to the source.
So what we need is someone with access to a large truck, and lots of garage space, who has connections at a solar manufacturing plant, who's willing to sell decent solar cells at a damn good price.
Simple, right? sigh
Wish I lived near one of Seimen's plants (or Shell solar, whoever owns them now). They have some nice looking solar cells too. Standard silicon ingot process though, not this nifty ribbon method that Evergreen uses.