Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T16:06:16.593Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Comparative Life-cycle Analysis of Photovoltaics Based on Nano-materials: A Proposed Framework

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Hyung Chul Kim ,
V. Fthenakis ,
S. Gualtero ,
R. van der Meulen  and
H. C. Kim
Hyung Chul Kim
Affiliation:
[email protected], Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Photovoltaic EH&S Research Cener, Bldg 475B, Upton, NY, 11973, United States, 631-344-2723
V. Fthenakis
Affiliation:
[email protected], Columbia University, Center for Life Cycle Analysis, New York, NY, 10027, United States
S. Gualtero
Affiliation:
[email protected], Columbia University, Center for Life Cycle Analysis, New York, NY, 10027, United States
R. van der Meulen
Affiliation:
[email protected], Columbia University, Center for Life Cycle Analysis, New York, NY, 10027, United States
H. C. Kim
Affiliation:
[email protected], Brookhaven National Laboratory, PV Environmental Research Cener, Upton, NY, 11973, United States
Get access

Abstract

Life cycle analysis becomes especially important for characterizing new material forms in new energy generation technologies intended to replace or improve the current infrastructure of energy production. We propose a comparative life-cycle analysis framework for investigating the effect of introducing nanotechnology in the life cycle of new photovoltaics, which focuses on the differences between the new technologies and the ones that they may replace. The following parameters are investigated within this framework: methods of synthesizing nanoparticles, physicochemical specifications of the precursors, material utilization rates, deposition rates, energy-conversion efficiencies, and lifetime expectancy of the final product. We introduce the application of this framework in comparing nano-structured cadmium telluride and silicon films with their nano- and amorphous- structured equivalents.

Keywords

nanostructureenvironmentally benignphotovoltaic
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1041: Symposium R – Life-Cycle Analysis for New Energy Conversion and Storage Systems , 2007 , 1041-R01-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Fthenakis, V.M. and Kim, H.C., Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Life Cycle of CdTe Photovoltaics. Material Research Society Fall Meeting, Symposium G: Life Cycle Analysis Tools for “Green” Materials and Process Selection, Boston, MA, 2005.Google Scholar
2. Gur, I., Fromer, N.A., Geiger, M.L., and Alivisatos, A.P., Science 310, 462 (2005).10.1126/science.1117908Google Scholar
3. Bharathan, J. and Yang, Y., Appl. Phys. Lett. 72, 21 (1998).Google Scholar
4.Nanosolar website: http://www.nanosolar.com/printsemi.htm.Google Scholar
5. Pacca, S., Sivaraman, D., and Keoleian, G.A., Life Cycle Assessment of the 33 kW Photovoltaic System on the Dana Building at the University of Michigan: Thin film Laminates, Multi-crystalline Modules, and Balance of System Components. Center for Sustainable Systems, 2006. CSS05-09.Google Scholar
6. Benagli, S., H., J., Borello, D., Spitznagel, J., Kroll, U., Meijer, J., Vallat-Sauvain, E., Schmidt, H., Monteduro, G., Dehbozorgi, B., Madliger, P.-A., Zimin, D., Kluth, O., Buechel, G., Zindel, A., and Koch-Ospelt, D., High performance LPCVD-ZnO appleid in amorphous silicon single junction P-I-N and micromorph tandem solar device prepared in industrial KAITM -M R&D reactor. 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference & Exhibition. Milan, Oerlikon Solar-Lab S.A, 2007.Google Scholar
7. Strahm, B., Howling, A.A., Sansonnens, L., and Hollenstein, C., Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 16, 80–89 (2007).Google Scholar
8. Alsema, E.A., Prog. Photovoltaics. 8, 17–25 (2000).Google Scholar
9. Lewis, G.M. and Keoleian, G.A., Life cycle design of amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules. National Risk Management Research Laboratory. Office of research and Development. US EPA, 1997. EPA/600/R-97/081.Google Scholar
10. deWild-Scholten, M., Alsema, E., Fthenakis, V., Agostinelli, G., Dekkers, H., Roth, K., and Kinzig, V., Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases in Photovoltaic Module Manufacturing: Potential Emissions and Abatement Strategies. 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Milan, Italy, 3-7 September 2007.Google Scholar
11. Baumgartner, F., Future and further development of silicon thin film technology: prospects for R&D. Hochschule für Technik Buchs, NTB, Switzerland, 2007.Google Scholar