The environmental impact of lightweight HCPV modules: efficient design and effective deployment
File(s)Resubmission of HCPV LCA.pdf (3.01 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Sandwell, P
Duggan, G
Nelson, J
Ekins-Daukes, N
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We present a life cycle analysis of a lightweight design of high concentration photovoltaic module. The materials and processes used in construction are considered to assess the total environmental impact of the module construction in terms of the cumulative energy demand and embodied greenhouse gas emissions, which were found to be 355.3MJ and 27.9 kgCO2eq respectively. We consider six potential deployment locations and the system energy payback times are calculated to be 0.22–0.33 years whilst the greenhouse gas payback times are 0.29–0.88 years. The emission intensities over the life- times of the systems are found to be 6.5–9.8 g CO2eq/kWh, lower than those of other HCPV, PV and CSP technologies in similar locations.
Date Issued
2016-07-13
Date Acceptance
2016-06-14
Citation
Progress in Photovoltaics, 2016, 24 (11), pp.1458-1472
ISSN
1099-159X
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
1458
End Page
1472
Journal / Book Title
Progress in Photovoltaics
Volume
24
Issue
11
Copyright Statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Sandwell, P., Duggan, G., Nelson, J., and Ekins-Daukes, N. (2016) The environmental impact of lightweight HCPV modules: efficient design and effective deployment. Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl., 24: 1458–1472, which has been published in final form at https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pip.2802. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Sponsor
The Royal Society
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Grant Number
WRMA09FT/HLL
J13361
Subjects
concentrator photovoltaics
life cycle assessment
embedded energy
energy payback time
Publication Status
Published