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DOE OSTI · 2204265

Life-Cycle Analysis of Potentially Longer Life Expectancy CdTe PV Modules

Fthenakis, Vasilis·Leccisi, Enrica·Sinha, Parikhit
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Abstract

Research on PV module longevity shows that with lower degradation rates and better encapsulation, PV modules can significantly outlast their current life expectancy of 25-30 years. The focus of this study is on alternative CdTe PV module back-contact and encapsulation materials that show the potential of increasing module operation lives from 30 to 40 and 50 years. Life-cycle-analyis shows that some alternative materials may slightly increase cradle-to-gate environmental impacts per m2 of module, but increased operational life more than counterbalances such impacts. The life-cycle carbn footprint of systems operating under average US insolation conditions of 1800 kWh/m2/yr is reduced from 10 gCO2eq/kWh to 6 gCO2eq/kWh when the operation life increases from 30 to 50 yrs. Similar reductions are noted for all life-cycle impact indicators, whereas the EROI of the considered system increases from 67 to 177 as life increases from 30 to 50 yrs.

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Fthenakis, Vasilis, Leccisi, Enrica, Sinha, Parikhit. 2023-06-11. Life-Cycle Analysis of Potentially Longer Life Expectancy CdTe PV Modules. https://doi.org/10.1109/pvsc48320.2023.10360051

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