Environmental impact of thin-film GaInP/GaAs and multicrystalline silicon solar modules produced with solar electricity

• DOI: 10.1007/s11367-009-0062-z
• Publication Date: 2009-03-23T11:26:42Z
• Authors: Nellemieke Mohr; Arjen Meijer; Mark A. J. Huijbr...; Lucas Reijnders
• Keywords: Grid parity

The environmental burden of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules is currently largely determined by the cumulative input fossil energy used for module production. However, with an increased focus on limiting emission CO2 coming from fuels, it expected that renewable resources, including photovoltaics, may well become more important in producing electricity. A comparison impacts PV case their life cycle based use electricity contrast to conventional can elucidate potential drawbacks early stage development a solar-based economy. goal this paper show ten impact categories consequences replacing into two types modules. Using assessment (LCA), we evaluated modules: thin-film GaInP/GaAs tandem and multicrystalline silicon (multi-Si) module. For each modules, total amount required was substituted generated corresponding midpoint level were compared those same assessed Western European circumstances annual irradiation 1000 kWh/m2. module, individual production steps also analysed. Environmental burdens decreased when applied score reductions up factor 4.9 (global warming). found multi-Si 2.5 (abiotic depletion global Reductions toxicity scores both smaller or negligible. This caused one hand, consumption materials additional generating other. Overall, reduced than contribution analysis indicated warming, cell growth process dominant supply electricity, while scenario, frame becomes dominant. Regarding freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity associated reactor system gas scrubbing scenario. There are uncertainties regarding calculated scores. describes economic allocation method, because missing inventory data. warming range −66% +41%, (for infinite time horizon) −40% +300% default estimates. categories, choices gallium, mix, conversion efficiency commercially produced cells, yield most influential. ecotoxicity, uncertainty concerning lifetime particularly relevant. Use instead significantly reduces scores, however, Toxicity cells be improvement process, demand reduction stainless steel system, longer these systems. Because greenhouse emissions fossil-fuel-based have share world-wide scale, switching extensive power helpful comply present international legislation area reduction. As negligible replaced desirable give specific attention processes which dominantly contribute categories. Furthermore, study, shift ranking several has been results comparative LCA thus dependent mix cycles products.