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Conference proceeding
A Circularity Assessment for Silicon Solar Panels Based on Dynamic Material Flow Analysis
2021 IEEE 48th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), pp 0560-0563
20 Jun 2021
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
This paper examines the impacts of design, operational, and end-of-life (EOL) waste pathways' parameters on material circularity in silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Dynamic material flow analysis (DMFA) quantifies time-series material flows through systems' life cycle stages to identify hotspots of waste generation, estimate resource needs in the future, and guide sustainable material management. We introduce a DMFA framework based on U.S. electricity demand for the period 2000-2100 to assess stocks and flows of bulk PV materials (i.e., solar glass and aluminum frames). We apply the model to a range of scenarios to understand how material demands depend on selected PV-related parameters, different material circularity strategies, and recent module design trends (e.g., bifacials, large-format-high power modules). Our results enable advanced planning for future materials needs and provide insight into potential opportunities to minimize material waste.
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Details
- Title
- A Circularity Assessment for Silicon Solar Panels Based on Dynamic Material Flow Analysis
- Creators
- Sherif A. Khalifa - Drexel UniversityBenjamin V. Mastrorocco - Drexel UniversityDylan D. Au - Drexel UniversityTeresa M. Barnes - National Renewable Energy LaboratoryAlberta C. Carpenter - National Renewable Energy LaboratoryJason B. Baxter - Drexel UniversityIEEE
- Publication Details
- 2021 IEEE 48th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), pp 0560-0563
- Publisher
- IEEE
- Grant note
- U.S. Department of Energy (10.13039/100000015)
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000701690400127
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85115973268
- Other Identifier
- 991019168460204721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Energy & Fuels
- Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
- Physics, Applied