The energy payback time of advanced crystalline silicon PV modules in 2020: A prospective study
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Publication date
2014-11
Authors
Mann, Sander A.
De Wild-Scholten, Mariska J.
Fthenakis, Vasilis M.
van Sark, Wilfried
Sinke, Wim C.
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Document Type
Article
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Abstract
The photovoltaic (PV) market is experiencing vigorous growth, whereas prices are dropping rapidly. This growth has in large part been possible through public support, deserved for its promise to produce electricity at a low cost to the environment. It is therefore important to monitor and minimize environmental impacts associated with PV technologies. In this work, we forecast the environmental performance of crystalline silicon technologies in 2020, the year in which electricity from PV is anticipated to be competitive with wholesale electricity costs all across Europe. Our forecasts are based on technological scenario development and a prospective life cycle assessment with a thorough uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. We estimate that the energy payback time at an in-plane irradiation of 1700 kWh/(m2 year) of crystalline silicon modules can be reduced to below 0.5 years by 2020, which is less than half of the current energy payback time.
Keywords
Crystalline silicon PV, Energy payback time, Life cycle assessment, Prospective, Roadmap, valorisation, Taverne, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics, SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Citation
Mann, S A, De Wild-Scholten, M J, Fthenakis, V M, Van Sark, W G J H M & Sinke, W C 2014, 'The energy payback time of advanced crystalline silicon PV modules in 2020 : A prospective study', Progress in photovoltaics, vol. 22, no. 11, pp. 1180-1194. https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.2363