Managing potential environmental and human health risks of lead halide perovskite photovoltaic modules

Rencheck, Mitchell L.; Libby, Cara; Montgomery, Angelique; Stein, Joshua S.

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2024.112337

Title: Managing potential environmental and human health risks of lead halide perovskite photovoltaic modules

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2024 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2024.112337· OSTI ID:2282200

; Libby, Cara; Montgomery, Angelique;

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are emerging photovoltaic (PV) technologies capable of matching power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of current PV technologies in the market at lower manufacturing costs, making perovskite solar modules (PSMs) cost competitive if manufactured at scale and perform with minimal degradation. PSCs with the highest PCEs, to date, are lead halide perovskites. Lead presents potential environmental and human health risks if PSMs are to be commercialized, as the lead in PSMs are more soluble in water compared to other PV technologies. Therefore, prior to commercialization of PSMs, it is important to highlight, identify, and establish the potential environmental and human health risks of PSMs as well as develop methods for assessing the potential risks. Here, we identify and discuss a variety of international standards, U.S. regulations, and permits applicable to PSM deployment that relate to the potential environmental and human health risks associated with PSMs. The potential risks for lead and other hazardous material exposures to humans and the environment are outlined which include water quality, air quality, human health, wildlife, land use, and soil contamination, followed by examples of how developers of other PV technologies have navigated human health and environmental risks previously. Potential experimentation, methodology, and research efforts are proposed to elucidate and characterize potential lead leaching risks and concerns pertaining to fires, in-field module damage, and sampling and leach testing of PSMs at end of life. Lastly, lower technology readiness level solutions to mitigate lead leaching, currently being explored for PSMs, are discussed. PSMs have the potential to become a cost competitive PV technology for the solar industry and taking steps toward understanding, identifying, and creating solutions to mitigate potential environmental and human health risks will aid in improving their commercial viability.

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Research Organization:: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: 38050; NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 2282200

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2311243

Report Number(s):: SAND-2024-00691J; S0038092X24000318; 112337; PII: S0038092X24000318

Journal Information:: Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Vol. 269 Journal Issue: C; ISSN 0038-092X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Managing potential environmental and human health risks of lead halide perovskite photovoltaic modules

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