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Life Cycle Analysis of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Thermal Systems for Different Tropical Regions

Author

Listed:
  • V. Tirupati Rao

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • Y. Raja Sekhar

    (Centre for Disaster Mitigation and Management (CDMM), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • Hari Mahesh

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • Anantha Krishnan Muraleedharan

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • Derik Charles

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India)

  • N. I. Aljuraide

    (Department of Physics, Turabah Branch, Turabah University College, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Ibrahim

    (Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt)

  • Mahmoud Helal

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
    Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35516, Mansoura 35511, Egypt)

  • Ahmed M. Galal

    (Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, P.O. Box 35516, Mansoura 35511, Egypt
    Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 16278, Wadi Addawaser 11991, Saudi Arabia)

  • Rokayya Sami

    (Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia)

  • Jong Wan Hu

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea
    Incheon Disaster Prevention Research Center, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea)

  • Seon Ki Hong

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Korea)

  • Anka Trajkovska Petkoska

    (Faculty of Technology and Technical Sciences, St. Kliment Ohridski University-Bitola, Dimitar Vlahov, 1400 Veles, North Macedonia)

Abstract

Different energy solutions are required to satisfy the energy demand of the world’s ever-growing population. Photovoltaic Thermal systems (PVT) could propose resolutions to tackle real-time issues regarding power generation. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is performed to compare the environmental impact and measure the energy across different PVT modules consisting of a-Si, CdTe, and CIS thin-film solar cells. The authors performed LCA to calculate the energy payback time (EPBT) and life-cycle CO 2 emissions of residential rooftop and open-field PVT systems. The primary energy needed to produce thin-film PVT modules of 1 m 2 cell area was considered in the present life cycle analysis studies operated using water as the working fluid. The annual net electrical energy savings at various Indian weather conditions, such as New Delhi, Jodhpur, and Ladakh, have been calculated. For the thin-film PVT systems, the calculated values of annual energy yield for three locations with average solar radiation levels and peak sun hours in the range of 600–1000 W/m 2 and 6–8 h were reported. Results show that the CO 2 emissions for rooftop installation of CdTe and CIS are around 200 and 156 kg/annually, which is lower than the open field installation of the same, where CO 2 emissions were found to be 295 and 250 kg/year.

Suggested Citation

  • V. Tirupati Rao & Y. Raja Sekhar & Hari Mahesh & Anantha Krishnan Muraleedharan & Derik Charles & N. I. Aljuraide & Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Ibrahim & Mahmoud Helal & Ahmed M. Galal & Rokayya Sami & Jong, 2022. "Life Cycle Analysis of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Thermal Systems for Different Tropical Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:14209-:d:958850
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