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Sustainability evaluation of CdTe PV: An update

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  • Fthenakis, Vasilis
  • Athias, Clement
  • Blumenthal, Alyssa
  • Kulur, Aylin
  • Magliozzo, Julia
  • Ng, David

Abstract

Cadmium Telluride thin-film photovoltaics (CdTe PV) have succeeded in producing electricity at grid-parity costs in sunny regions, with particular application in large solar facilities, totaling 25 GW since the start of commercial production in 2002. A rigorous sustainability evaluation is appropriate, in view of this drastic growth in CdTe PV production and deployment. This paper provides an update of a 2004 article by the leading author, on the life cycle impact of cadmium in CdTe PV and expands it to resource recovery and up-normal events. Thus, we analyze the environmental sustainability of CdTe PV in manufacturing, product use, and end-of-life management, and critically review recent studies on CdTe risks associated with large PV power plants, with special focus on potential failures during extreme events. We substantiate that module manufacturing by the current leader in commercial CdTe PV production, does not pose sustainability concerns because their Cd management program is extensive and sufficiently protects workers from Cd exposure, as evidenced by worker biomonitoring data. During product use, we identified and evaluated impacts during fires and extreme weather conditions, based on experimental data, worst-case modeling, and historical events. Based on credible data and corollary evidence we determined that there are not environmental impacts during normal conditions and that environmental impact risks are minimal during conceivable extreme conditions. Regarding end-of-life management of CdTe PV, recycling is the preferred management option for minimizing potential environmental impacts in comparison to landfill disposal or incineration, while providing semiconductor materials for future CdTe PV manufacturing.

Suggested Citation

  • Fthenakis, Vasilis & Athias, Clement & Blumenthal, Alyssa & Kulur, Aylin & Magliozzo, Julia & Ng, David, 2020. "Sustainability evaluation of CdTe PV: An update," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:123:y:2020:i:c:s1364032120300721
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.109776
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    1. Fthenakis, Vasilis, 2009. "Sustainability of photovoltaics: The case for thin-film solar cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2746-2750, December.
    2. Fthenakis, Vasilis M., 2004. "Life cycle impact analysis of cadmium in CdTe PV production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 8(4), pages 303-334, August.
    3. Fthenakis, Vasilis & Mason, James E. & Zweibel, Ken, 2009. "The technical, geographical, and economic feasibility for solar energy to supply the energy needs of the US," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(2), pages 387-399, February.
    4. Jun‐Ki Choi & Vasilis Fthenakis, 2010. "Economic Feasibility of Recycling Photovoltaic Modules," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 14(6), pages 947-964, December.
    5. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing, 2013. "Review on life cycle assessment of energy payback and greenhouse gas emission of solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 255-274.
    6. Fthenakis, Vasilis & Wang, Wenming & Kim, Hyung Chul, 2009. "Life cycle inventory analysis of the production of metals used in photovoltaics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 493-517, April.
    7. Raugei, Marco & Fthenakis, Vasilis, 2010. "Cadmium flows and emissions from CdTe PV: future expectations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(9), pages 5223-5228, September.
    8. Enrica Leccisi & Marco Raugei & Vasilis Fthenakis, 2016. "The Energy and Environmental Performance of Ground-Mounted Photovoltaic Systems—A Timely Update," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-13, August.
    9. Cyrs, William D. & Avens, Heather J. & Capshaw, Zachary A. & Kingsbury, Robert A. & Sahmel, Jennifer & Tvermoes, Brooke E., 2014. "Landfill waste and recycling: Use of a screening-level risk assessment tool for end-of-life cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 524-533.
    10. McDonald, N.C. & Pearce, J.M., 2010. "Producer responsibility and recycling solar photovoltaic modules," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(11), pages 7041-7047, November.
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    1. Fabian Schoden & Joscha Detzmeier & Anna Katharina Schnatmann & Tomasz Blachowicz & Eva Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, 2022. "Investigating the Remanufacturing Potential of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Brown, Austin L. & Fleming, Kelly L. & Lipman, Timothy & Fulton, Lew & Saphores, Jean Daniel & Tal, Gil & Murphy, Colin W & Shaheen, Susan & Austin, Bernadette & Garcia Sanchez, Juan Carlos & Martin, , 2020. "Carbon Neutrality Study 1:Driving California’s Transportation Emissions to Zero," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt5zb1238j, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    3. McNulty, Brian A. & Jowitt, Simon M., 2022. "Byproduct critical metal supply and demand and implications for the energy transition: A case study of tellurium supply and CdTe PV demand," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).

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