Life cycle assessment of multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell production in China

Jinglan Hong; Wei Chen; Congcong Qi; Liping Ye; Changqing Xu

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2016.04.013

Life cycle assessment of multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell production in China

Jinglan Hong^*, Wei Chen, Congcong Qi, Liping Ye, Changqing Xu

^*Corresponding author for this work

Shandong University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

65 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Energy crisis and environmental problems have increased the attention on solar power development and utilization. This study aims to identify the environmental effects associated with photovoltaic (PV) cell made up of multicrystalline silicon (multi-Si) in China by life cycle assessment. Results showed that multi-crystal solar PV technology provided significant contributions to respiratory inorganics, global warming, and non-renewable energy. The emissions generated by aluminum, coal-based electricity, and multi-Si wafer production processes played important roles in the overall environmental burden. To reduce the potential environmental impact of multi-Si PV cell in China, the proportion of renewable energy use for national electricity generation should be increased and the consumption efficiency of energy (i.e., electricity) and raw materials (i.e., silicon and aluminum) should be promoted.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	283-293
Number of pages	11
Journal	Solar Energy
Volume	133
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.04.013
Publication status	Published - 1 Aug 2016
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Life cycle assessment
Multicrystalline silicon
Photovoltaic cell
Solar electricity

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.solener.2016.04.013

Cite this

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title = "Life cycle assessment of multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell production in China",

abstract = "Energy crisis and environmental problems have increased the attention on solar power development and utilization. This study aims to identify the environmental effects associated with photovoltaic (PV) cell made up of multicrystalline silicon (multi-Si) in China by life cycle assessment. Results showed that multi-crystal solar PV technology provided significant contributions to respiratory inorganics, global warming, and non-renewable energy. The emissions generated by aluminum, coal-based electricity, and multi-Si wafer production processes played important roles in the overall environmental burden. To reduce the potential environmental impact of multi-Si PV cell in China, the proportion of renewable energy use for national electricity generation should be increased and the consumption efficiency of energy (i.e., electricity) and raw materials (i.e., silicon and aluminum) should be promoted.",

keywords = "Life cycle assessment, Multicrystalline silicon, Photovoltaic cell, Solar electricity",

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T1 - Life cycle assessment of multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell production in China

AU - Hong, Jinglan

AU - Chen, Wei

AU - Qi, Congcong

AU - Ye, Liping

AU - Xu, Changqing

PY - 2016/8/1

Y1 - 2016/8/1

N2 - Energy crisis and environmental problems have increased the attention on solar power development and utilization. This study aims to identify the environmental effects associated with photovoltaic (PV) cell made up of multicrystalline silicon (multi-Si) in China by life cycle assessment. Results showed that multi-crystal solar PV technology provided significant contributions to respiratory inorganics, global warming, and non-renewable energy. The emissions generated by aluminum, coal-based electricity, and multi-Si wafer production processes played important roles in the overall environmental burden. To reduce the potential environmental impact of multi-Si PV cell in China, the proportion of renewable energy use for national electricity generation should be increased and the consumption efficiency of energy (i.e., electricity) and raw materials (i.e., silicon and aluminum) should be promoted.

AB - Energy crisis and environmental problems have increased the attention on solar power development and utilization. This study aims to identify the environmental effects associated with photovoltaic (PV) cell made up of multicrystalline silicon (multi-Si) in China by life cycle assessment. Results showed that multi-crystal solar PV technology provided significant contributions to respiratory inorganics, global warming, and non-renewable energy. The emissions generated by aluminum, coal-based electricity, and multi-Si wafer production processes played important roles in the overall environmental burden. To reduce the potential environmental impact of multi-Si PV cell in China, the proportion of renewable energy use for national electricity generation should be increased and the consumption efficiency of energy (i.e., electricity) and raw materials (i.e., silicon and aluminum) should be promoted.

KW - Life cycle assessment

KW - Multicrystalline silicon

KW - Photovoltaic cell

KW - Solar electricity

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DO - 10.1016/j.solener.2016.04.013

M3 - Article

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SN - 0038-092X

VL - 133

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JO - Solar Energy

JF - Solar Energy

ER -

Life cycle assessment of multicrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell production in China

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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