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Net energy and cost benefit of transparent organic solar cells in building-integrated applications

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  • Anctil, Annick
  • Lee, Eunsang
  • Lunt, Richard R.

Abstract

Transparent photovoltaics is a new technology that can be used in buildings applications to simultaneously save energy and produce electricity. This study evaluates the potential of transparent photovoltaic (TPV) in window and skylight applications for four cities in the United States: Detroit, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Honolulu. Building energy demand simulation, photovoltaic generation, and life cycle assessment (LCA) are combined to evaluate the net energy benefit (NEB). The use of TPV on windows is evaluated for both new windows, for which the solar cell is deposited in the interior surface of the glass pane, and for the refurbishment of existing windows, for which plastic encapsulated solar cells are placed on the interior surface of existing windows. The NEB was found to be positive for all scenarios considered, and the cradle to gate energy to manufacture a transparent organic photovoltaic module was found to be negligible. The NEB was used to calculate the energy return on investment (EROI) and the energy payback time (EPBT). Both were found to be either better or comparable to other photovoltaic technologies. For glass modules, the best EROI was 102 in Phoenix for window and 208 in Honolulu for skylights. The EPBT varied from 51 days to 1.1 years, depending on the location and type of module. The use of transparent photovoltaics in the US was found to have both environmental and cost benefits due to the combined reduction in building energy consumption and electricity production.

Suggested Citation

  • Anctil, Annick & Lee, Eunsang & Lunt, Richard R., 2020. "Net energy and cost benefit of transparent organic solar cells in building-integrated applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:261:y:2020:i:c:s0306261919321178
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114429
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher J. Traverse & Richa Pandey & Miles C. Barr & Richard R. Lunt, 2017. "Emergence of highly transparent photovoltaics for distributed applications," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(11), pages 849-860, November.
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    5. Branker, K. & Pathak, M.J.M. & Pearce, J.M., 2011. "A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4470-4482.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Heino Pesch & Louis Louw, 2023. "Exploring the Industrial Symbiosis Potential of Plant Factories during the Initial Establishment Phase," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-30, January.
    3. Nora Schopp & Viktor V. Brus, 2022. "A Review on the Materials Science and Device Physics of Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Heino Pesch & Louis Louw, 2023. "Evaluating the Economic Feasibility of Plant Factory Scenarios That Produce Biomass for Biorefining Processes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-36, January.
    5. Iwona Bąk & Anna Spoz & Magdalena Zioło & Marek Dylewski, 2021. "Dynamic Analysis of the Similarity of Objects in Research on the Use of Renewable Energy Resources in European Union Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, July.
    6. Lamnatou, Chr. & Chemisana, D. & Cristofari, C., 2022. "Smart grids and smart technologies in relation to photovoltaics, storage systems, buildings and the environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 1376-1391.
    7. Woo, JongRoul & Moon, Sungho & Choi, Hyunhong, 2022. "Economic value and acceptability of advanced solar power systems for multi-unit residential buildings: The case of South Korea," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    8. Megan Belongeay & Gabriela Shirkey & Marina Monteiro Lunardi & Gonzalo Rodriguez-Garcia & Parikhit Sinha & Richard Corkish & Rodney A. Stewart & Annick Anctil & Jiquan Chen & Ilke Celik, 2023. "Photovoltaic Systems through the Lens of Material-Energy-Water Nexus," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-12, March.
    9. López-Escalante, M.C. & Navarrete-Astorga, E. & Gabás Perez, M. & Ramos- Barrado, J.R. & Martín, F., 2020. "Photovoltaic modules designed for architectural integration without negative performance consequences," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    10. Gassar, Abdo Abdullah Ahmed & Cha, Seung Hyun, 2021. "Review of geographic information systems-based rooftop solar photovoltaic potential estimation approaches at urban scales," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).

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