Grantee Research Project Results
2008 Progress Report: Comparative Life Cycle Analysis of Nano- and Bulk-materials in Photovoltaic Energy Generation
EPA Grant Number: R833334Title: Comparative Life Cycle Analysis of Nano- and Bulk-materials in Photovoltaic Energy Generation
Investigators: Fthenakis, Vasilis
Current Investigators: Fthenakis, Vasilis , Themelis, Nickolas J.
Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2009
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2008 through May 31,2009
Project Amount: $200,000
RFA: Exploratory Research: Nanotechnology Research Grants Investigating Environmental and Human Health Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials: a Joint Research Solicitation-EPA, NSF, NIOSH, NIEHS (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to compare the environmental impacts of nanomaterials and bulk materials used in the production of photovoltaics (PVs). We focus on tandem configurations of nano-crystalline silicon/amorphous silicon and on nanocrystalline CdTe/CdSe solar cells, which are promising third generation, nano-material-based, alternatives to current second generation commercial technologies, (i.e., a-Si and CdTe). We use a life cycle analysis (LCA) framework for measuring environmental indicators, including greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand, based on investigations of parameters that differentiate nanotechnology from conventional technology, namely: methods and efficiencies of synthesizing feedstock materials; physical specifications of the precursors; material utilization rates and process efficiencies in manufacturing solar cells; deposition processes and parameters (deposition rate, temperature, pressure); energy-conversion efficiency of solar cells; and life-time expectancy of the final product.Progress Summary:
Life cycle material inventories for the two investigated technologies were completed. Extrinsic materials used in dissolution of precursors and in reactor cleaning were found to be most potent in terms of energy use and greenhouse gas production. Material utilization efficiencies are relatively low in some of the current small-scale processes; these may not be sustainable in large production scales. Furthermore, some of the solvents used present health and environmental concerns. We plan to investigate the life-cycle impacts of alternatives that appear to be friendlier to health and the environment, and complete the comparison with the current commercial technologies.
Future Activities:
The following activities are planned for the second year of this project (June 2008-May 2009):
- Determine the upstream energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the alternative solvents.
- Investigate the toxicity and recyclability of the alternative solvents.
- Explore the possibility to evaluate alternative solvents using exergy analysis.
- Investigate the emission factors of the reactor cleaning agents SF6 and NF3 and efficiencies of abatement and capture and recovery systems. Alternative cleaning agents will also be examined.
- Examine and project to the future relevant process parameters of a-Si and micromorph solar cells (i.e. deposition rate, materials utilization, and emission factors).
- Update performance parameters, including module efficiency and lifetime based on new data and forecasts.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 6 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
photovoltaics, sustainability, life cycle impacts, nanomaterials, nanotechnology, solar cells, green engineering, solar energy, solar cells;Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.