Towards market commercialization: Lifecycle economic and environmental evaluation of scalable perovskite solar cells
Corresponding Author
Alessandro Martulli
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Correspondence
Alessandro Martulli, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorNeethi Rajagopalan
Smart Energy and Built Environment, Flemish Institute for Technical Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
Energyville, Genk, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorFabrizio Gota
Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorUlrich W. Paetzold
Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
Light Technology Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSteven Claes
Smart Energy and Built Environment, Flemish Institute for Technical Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
Energyville, Genk, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorAlberto Salone
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorJordy Verboven
Unit Separation and Conversion Technologies, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorRobert Malina
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorBart Vermang
Energyville, Genk, Belgium
Imec Division IMOMEC (partner in Solliance), Diepenbeek, Belgium
Institute for Material Research (IMO, partner in Solliance), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorSebastien Lizin
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Alessandro Martulli
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Correspondence
Alessandro Martulli, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorNeethi Rajagopalan
Smart Energy and Built Environment, Flemish Institute for Technical Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
Energyville, Genk, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorFabrizio Gota
Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorUlrich W. Paetzold
Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
Light Technology Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorSteven Claes
Smart Energy and Built Environment, Flemish Institute for Technical Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
Energyville, Genk, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorAlberto Salone
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorJordy Verboven
Unit Separation and Conversion Technologies, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorRobert Malina
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorBart Vermang
Energyville, Genk, Belgium
Imec Division IMOMEC (partner in Solliance), Diepenbeek, Belgium
Institute for Material Research (IMO, partner in Solliance), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorSebastien Lizin
Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information: Horizon 2020, Grant/Award Number: 850937
Abstract
Many economic and environmental studies on novel perovskite solar cells (PSCs), published ex post the development stage to investigate the market competitiveness, have focused on laboratory-scale PSC architectures that are not amenable for upscaling. In this paper, we evaluate the market potential and environmental sustainability of a scalable carbon-electrode-based PSC by benchmarking it to the market dominating c-Si photovoltaics and CIGS thin film photovoltaics. The analysis covers the PSCs full lifecycle, at the module and system levels (residential and utility scale), and is based on realistic annual energy output data derived from energy yield calculations. We find that this PSC can produce electricity at low cost (3–6 €cents/kWh), with lowest energy payback (0.6–0.8 years) and greenhouse gas emissions (15–25g CO2 eq./kWh) compared with grid-connected PV market alternatives, assuming 25years of lifetime, expected PV system cost reductions, and PSC module recycling and refurbishment.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that supports the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| pip3623-sup-0001-pip-22-099-File002.docxWord 2007 document , 214 KB |
Supporting Information S1. Towards market commercialization: lifecycle economic and environmental evaluation of scalable perovskite solar cells |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
REFERENCES
- 1 IRENA. World Energy Transitions Outlook: 1.5°C Pathway. Abu Dhabi: International Renewable Energy Agency; 2021.
- 2Creutzig F, Goldschmidt JC, Luderer G, et al. The underestimated potential of solar energy to mitigate climate change. Nature Energy. 2017; 2(9): 1-9.
- 3Haegel NM, Atwater H Jr, Barnes T, et al. Terawatt-scale photovoltaics: transform global energy. Science. 2019; 364(6443): 836-838.
- 4 NREL. Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart. 2020; Available from: https://www.nrel.gov/pv/cell-efficiency.html
- 5Kim DH, Whitaker JB, Li Z, et al. Outlook and challenges of perovskite solar cells toward terawatt-scale photovoltaic module technology. Joule. 2018; 2(8): 1437-1451.
- 6Meng L, You JB, Yang Y. Addressing the stability issue of perovskite solar cells for commercial applications. Nat Commun. 2018; 9: 1-4.
- 7Cai ML, Wu Y, Chen H, et al. Cost-performance analysis of perovskite solar modules. Advanced Science. 2017; 4(1):1600269.
- 8Song ZN, McElvany CL, Phillips AB, et al. A technoeconomic analysis of perovskite solar module manufacturing with low-cost materials and techniques. Energ Environ Sci. 2017; 10(6): 1297-1305.
- 9Zafoschnig LA, Nold S, Goldschmidt JC. The race for lowest costs of electricity production: techno-economic analysis of silicon, perovskite and tandem solar cells. IEEE J Photovolt. 2020; 10(6): 1632-1641.
- 10Li ZQ, Zhao Y, Wang X, et al. Cost analysis of perovskite tandem photovoltaics. Joule. 2018; 2(8): 1559-1572.
- 11Chang NL, Ho-Baillie AWY, Basore PA, et al. A manufacturing cost estimation method with uncertainty analysis and its application to perovskite on glass photovoltaic modules. Progr Photovolt. 2017; 25(5): 390-405.
- 12Mathews I, Sofia S, Ma E, et al. Economically sustainable growth of perovskite photovoltaics manufacturing. Joule. 2020; 4(4): 822-839.
- 13Rao HKR, Gemechu E, Thakur U, Shankar K, Kumar A. Techno-economic assessment of titanium dioxide nanorod-based perovskite solar cells: from lab-scale to large-scale manufacturing. Appl Energy. 2021; 298:117251.
- 14Chang NL, Vak D, Gao M, et al. Manufacturing cost and market potential analysis of demonstrated roll-to-roll perovskite photovoltaic cell processes. Solar Energy Mater Solar Cells. 2018; 174: 314-324.
- 15Kajal P, Verma B, Vadaga SGR, Powar S. Costing analysis of scalable carbon-based perovskite modules using bottom up technique. Global Challenges. 2022; 6(2):2100070.
- 16Alberola-Borras JA, Vidala R, Juárez-Pérez EJ, et al. Relative impacts of methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite solar cells based on life cycle assessment. Solar Energy Mater Solar Cells. 2018; 179: 169-177.
- 17Celik I, Song Z, Cimaroli AJ, et al. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of perovskite PV cells projected from lab to fab. Solar Energy Mater Solar Cells. 2016; 156: 157-169.
- 18Espinosa N, Serrano-Luján L, Urbina A, Krebs FC. Solution and vapour deposited lead perovskite solar cells: ecotoxicity from a life cycle assessment perspective. Solar Energy Mater Solar Cells. 2015; 137: 303-310.
- 19Gong J, Darling SB, You FQ. Perovskite photovoltaics: life-cycle assessment of energy and environmental impacts. Energ Environ Sci. 2015; 8(7): 1953-1968.
- 20Ibn-Mohammed T, Koh SCL, Reaney IM, et al. Perovskite solar cells: an integrated hybrid lifecycle assessment and review in comparison with other photovoltaic technologies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017; 80: 1321-1344.
- 21Leccisi E, Fthenakis V. Life cycle energy demand and carbon emissions of scalable single-junction and tandem perovskite PV. Progr Photovolt. 2021; 29(10): 1078-1092.
- 22Serrano-Lujan L, Espinosa N, Larsen-Olsen TT, et al. Tin- and lead-based perovskite solar cells under scrutiny: an environmental perspective. Adv Energy Mater. 2015; 5(20):1501119.
- 23Zhang JY, Gao X, Deng Y, Zha Y, Yuan C. Comparison of life cycle environmental impacts of different perovskite solar cell systems. Solar Energy Mater Solar Cells. 2017; 166: 9-17.
- 24Khalifa SA, Spatari S, Fafarman AT, Baxter JB. Environmental sustainability of mixed cation perovskite materials in photovoltaics manufacturing. ACS Sustain Chem Eng. 2020; 8(44): 16537-16548.
- 25Leccisi E, Fthenakis V. Life-cycle environmental impacts of single-junction and tandem perovskite PVs: a critical review and future perspectives. Progr Energy. 2020; 2(3):032002.
10.1088/2516-1083/ab7e84 Google Scholar
- 26Tian XY, Stranks SD, You FQ. Life cycle assessment of recycling strategies for perovskite photovoltaic modules. Nat Sustain. 2021; 4(9):821.
- 27Wagner L, Mastroianni S, Hinsch A. Reverse manufacturing enables perovskite photovoltaics to reach the carbon footprint limit of a glass substrate. Joule. 2020; 4(4): 882-901.
- 28Jena AK, Kulkarni A, Miyasaka T. Halide perovskite photovoltaics: background, status, and future prospects. Chem Rev. 2019; 119(5): 3036-3103.
- 29Hashmi SG, Tiihonen A, Martineau D, et al. Long term stability of air processed inkjet infiltrated carbon-based printed perovskite solar cells under intense ultra-violet light soaking. J Mater Chem A. 2017; 5(10): 4797-4802.
- 30Mei AY, Sheng Y, Ming Y, et al. Stabilizing perovskite solar cells to IEC61215:2016 standards with over 9,000-h operational tracking. Joule. 2020; 4(12): 2646-2660.
- 31Grancini G, Roldán-Carmona C, Zimmermann I, et al. One-year stable perovskite solar cells by 2D/3D interface engineering. Nat Commun. 2017; 8: 1-8.
- 32Razera RAZ, Jacobs DA, Fu F, et al. Instability of p-i-n perovskite solar cells under reverse bias. J Mater Chem A. 2020; 8(1): 242-250.
- 33Bowring AR, Bertoluzzi L, O'Regan BC, McGehee MD. Reverse bias behavior of halide perovskite solar cells. Adv Energy Mater. 2018; 8(8):1702365.
- 34Bogachuk D, Saddedine K, Martineau D, et al. Perovskite photovoltaic devices with carbon-based electrodes withstanding reverse-bias voltages up to −9 V and surpassing IEC 61215:2016 international standard. Solar Rrl. 2021; 6:2100527.
- 35Frischknecht R, Raugei M, Kim HC, Alsema E, Held M, de Wild-Scholten M. Methodology guidelines on life cycle assessment of photovoltaic electricity. In: IEA PVPS Task 12. International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme; 2020.
- 36Hashmi, G.S., Myllymaki, T. & Martineau, D., Method for refurbishing of carbon based perovskite solar cells (cpscs) and modules via recycling of active materials, P.I. Appl, Editor. 2019.
- 37Schmager, R., Paetzold, U. W., Langenhorst, M., Gota, F., EYcalc - Energy yield calculator for multi-junction solar modules with realistic irradiance data and textured interfaces. 2021.
- 38Schmager R, Langenhorst M, Lehr J, et al. Methodology of energy yield modelling of perovskite-based multi-junction photovoltaics. Opt Express. 2019; 27(8): A507-A523.
- 39Garcia MCA, Balenzategui JL. Estimation of photovoltaic module yearly temperature and performance based on nominal operation cell temperature calculations. Renew Energy. 2004; 29(12): 1997-2010.
- 40Marion, S.W.A.W., Innovation for Our Energy Future Users Manual for TMY3 Data Sets, NREL, Editor 1994.
- 41 EC-JRC. Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Guide. European Commision Joint Research Centre; 2012.
- 42Fazio SBF, De Laurentiis V, Zampori L, Sala S, Diaconu E. Supporting Information to the Characterisation Factors of Recommended EF Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods, version 2, from ILCD to EF 3.0. European Commission; 2018.
- 43Parisi ML, Douziech M, Tosti L, et al. Definition of LCA guidelines in the geothermal sector to enhance result comparability. Energies. 2020; 13(14):3534.
- 44Goodrich AC, Powell DM, James TL, Woodhousea M, Buonassisi T. Assessing the drivers of regional trends in solar photovoltaic manufacturing. Energ Environ Sci. 2013; 6(10): 2811-2821.
- 45Powell DM, Goodrich A, Buonassisi T, Winkler M. Modeling the cost and minimum sustainable price of crystalline silicon photovoltaic manufacturing in the United States. IEEE J Photovolt. 2013; 3(2): 662-668.
- 46Fthenakis VM, Kim HC. Photovoltaics: life-cycle analyses. Solar Energy. 2011; 85(8): 1609-1628.
- 47 Fraunhofer ISE. Levelized cost of electricity renewable energy technologies. Franhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE: Freiburg; 2021.
- 48Branker K, Pathak MJM, Pearce JM. A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2011; 15(9): 4470-4482.
- 49 IRENA. Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2020. International Renewable Energy Agency: Abu Dhabi; 2020.
- 50Goldschmidt JC, Wagner L, Pietzcker R, Friedrich L. Technological learning for resource efficient terawatt scale photovoltaics. Energ Environ Sci. 2021; 14(10): 5147-5160.
- 51Bogdanov D, Ram M, Aghahosseini A, et al. Low-cost renewable electricity as the key driver of the global energy transition towards sustainability. Energy. 2021; 227:120467.
- 52Choi JK, Fthenakis V. Crystalline silicon photovoltaic recycling planning: macro and micro perspectives. J Clean Prod. 2014; 66: 443-449.
- 53Cucchiella F, D'Adamo I, Rosa P. End-of-life of used photovoltaic modules: a financial analysis. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015; 47: 552-561.
- 54Li H, Zhang W. Perovskite tandem solar cells: from fundamentals to commercial deployment. Chem Rev. 2020; 120(18): 9835-9950.
- 55Kadro JM, Hagfeldt A. The end-of-life of perovskite PV (vol 8, pg 1953, 2015). Joule. 2017; 1(3): 634-634.
