Thin-film photovoltaic power generation offers decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing environmental co-benefits in the long term
Abstract
Thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies have improved significantly recently, and similar improvements are projected into the future, warranting reevaluation of the environmental implications of PV to update and inform policy decisions. By conducting a hybrid life cycle assessment using the most recent manufacturing data and technology roadmaps, we compare present and projected environmental, human health, and natural resource implications of electricity generated from two common thin-film PV technologies-copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe)-in the United States (U.S.) to those of the current U.S. electricity mix. We evaluate how the impacts of thin films can be reduced by likely cost-reducing technological changes: (1) module efficiency increases, (2) module dematerialization, (3) changes in upstream energy and materials production, and (4) end-of-life recycling of balance of system (BOS). Results show comparable environmental and resource impacts for CdTe and CIGS. Compared to the U.S. electricity mix in 2010, both perform at least 90% better in 7 of 12 and at least 50% better in 3 of 12 impact categories, with comparable land use, and increased metal depletion unless BOS recycling is ensured. Technological changes, particularly efficiency increases, contribute to 35-80% reductions in all impacts by 2030.
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Digital tracking and modelling devices, sensors, sensing devices and programmable logic controllers, hybrid genetic algorithms, and automated optical sorting are already utilized in recycling and reuse circular approaches.
“digital tracking and modelling devices used in the steel industry [121], sensors employed for thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies [122] and on buildings [123], sensing devices and programmable logic controllers for a steel industrial complex for water [124], hybrid genetic algorithms employed on household appliances [125], and automated optical sorting for recycled glass [126].”
From Digitisation and the Circular Economy: A Review of Current Research and Future Trends (2018) · cites this paper as [122]
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- Authors
- Bergesen, J. D., Heath, G. A., Gibon, T., & Suh, S.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
- National Laboratory of the Rockies (US)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
- Corresponding author
- Suh, Sangwon
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2014-07-25
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 16
- Pages
- 9834-9843
- ISSN
- 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5851
- OpenAlex
- W2333617135
- Cited by
- 77
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 6.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems
- Keywords
- thin-film solar cells, Cu(In,Ga)Se2, CdTe, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental co-benefits, life cycle assessment, technology roadmap, module efficiency, metal depletion, land use, human health effects, natural resource depletion, electricity generation
- MeSH terms
- Carcinogens, Conservation of Natural Resources, Electricity, Energy-Generating Resources, Environment, Gallium, Gases, Metals, Selenium, Tellurium, United States, Greenhouse Effect, Cadmium Compounds, Uncertainty, Climate Change
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