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Solar-PV energy payback and net energy: Meta-assessment of study quality, reproducibility, and results harmonization

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  • Koppelaar, R.H.E.M.

Abstract

Numerous analyses of mono- and polysilicon Solar-Photovoltaic (PV) modules provide an Energy Payback Time (EPT) or Net Energy Ratio (NER) value. Few are directly comparable due to differences in annual solar radiation, supply-chain technologies, life-cycle boundaries, and system specifications. The purpose of this paper is to reproduce and harmonize twenty-nine studies, and to examine the influence of data age, system boundaries, and technological configurations.

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  • Koppelaar, R.H.E.M., 2017. "Solar-PV energy payback and net energy: Meta-assessment of study quality, reproducibility, and results harmonization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1241-1255.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:72:y:2017:i:c:p:1241-1255
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.10.077
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    10. Walmsley, Timothy G. & Walmsley, Michael R.W. & Varbanov, Petar S. & Klemeš, Jiří J., 2018. "Energy Ratio analysis and accounting for renewable and non-renewable electricity generation: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 328-345.
    11. Maria A. Franco & Stefan N. Groesser, 2021. "A Systematic Literature Review of the Solar Photovoltaic Value Chain for a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-35, August.
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    14. Tan, Yutong & Peng, Jinqing & Luo, Yimo & Luo, Zhengyi & Curcija, Charlie & Fang, Yueping, 2022. "Numerical heat transfer modeling and climate adaptation analysis of vacuum-photovoltaic glazing," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
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    17. Dupont, Elise & Koppelaar, Rembrandt & Jeanmart, Hervé, 2020. "Global available solar energy under physical and energy return on investment constraints," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).

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