Embodied energy and carbon from the manufacture of cadmium telluride and silicon photovoltaics

Wikoff, Hope M.; Reese, Samantha B.; Reese, Matthew O.

doi:10.1016/j.joule.2022.06.006

Embodied energy and carbon from the manufacture of cadmium telluride and silicon photovoltaics

Journal Article · Thu Jun 30 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Joule

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2022.06.006· OSTI ID:1876013

Wikoff, Hope M. ^[1]; ^[1]; Reese, Matthew O. ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Here, looking beyond the traditional cost and efficiency metrics of photovoltaics (PV), this work evaluates the impact of embodied energy, embodied carbon, and energy payback time of two dominant technologies (CdTe and Si) on global decarbonization goals. The relative effects of PV technology type, technological advances, energy grid mix, and recycling are evaluated in terms of fostering decarbonization goals. If the highest carbon-intensity scenarios are realized, 2%-14% of the remaining estimated global carbon budget might be consumed to manufacture modules without including their balance of systems. Applying a carbon cost indicates that CdTe might have an additional value of $$\$$$$0.02-$$\$$$$0.04/W relative to Si PV manufactured with the same energy mix. Due to the scale of the challenge, any actions leading to an increased deployment of thin-film PV and/or a significant decrease in the deployed PV's embodied carbon through changing the manufacturing grid mix have demonstrable value in helping the world stay within its remaining estimated carbon budget.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Manufacturing Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1876013

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5K00-81784; MainId:82557; UUID:0f420920-ad32-415b-ae7d-6ff086ddb57a; MainAdminID:64803

Journal Information:: Joule, Journal Name: Joule Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 6; ISSN 2542-4351

Publisher:: Elsevier - Cell PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Embodied energy and carbon from the manufacture of cadmium telluride and silicon photovoltaics

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