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Life cycle assessment of a micromorph photovoltaic system

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  • Bravi, Mirko
  • Parisi, Maria Laura
  • Tiezzi, Enzo
  • Basosi, Riccardo

Abstract

In this paper the results from a in-depth life cycle analysis of production and use of a novel grid-connected photovoltaic micromorph system are presented and compared to other thin film and traditional crystalline silicon photovoltaic technologies. Among the new thin film technologies, the micromorph tandem junction appears to be one of the most promising devices from the industrial point of view. The analysis was based on actual production data given to the authors directly from the PRAMAC Swiss Company and it is consistent with the recommendations provided by the ISO norms and updates. The gross energy requirement, green house gas emissions and energy pay-back time have been calculated for the electric energy output virtually generated by the studied system in a lifetime period of 20 years. A comparative framework is also provided, wherein results obtained for the case study are compared with data from literature previously obtained for the best commercially available competing photovoltaic technologies. Results clearly show a significant decrease in gross energy requirement, in green house gas emissions and also a shorter energy pay-back time for the micromorph technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Bravi, Mirko & Parisi, Maria Laura & Tiezzi, Enzo & Basosi, Riccardo, 2011. "Life cycle assessment of a micromorph photovoltaic system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 4297-4306.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:36:y:2011:i:7:p:4297-4306
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.04.012
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    6. Parisi, Maria Laura & Maranghi, Simone & Basosi, Riccardo, 2014. "The evolution of the dye sensitized solar cells from Grätzel prototype to up-scaled solar applications: A life cycle assessment approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 124-138.
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    9. Rawat, Rahul & Singh, Ramayan & Sastry, O.S. & Kaushik, S.C., 2017. "Performance evaluation of micromorph based thin film photovoltaic modules in real operating conditions of composite climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 537-548.
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