The Experts below are selected from a list of 41091 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Damon E Turney - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of thin film Photovoltaic Electricity generation
    Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Vasilis Fthenakis, Junki Choi, Damon E Turney
    Abstract:

    We present the process and the results of harmonization of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the life cycle of commercial thin‐film Photovoltaics (PVs), that is, amorphous silicon (a‐Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). We reviewed 109 studies and harmonized the estimates of GHG emissions by aligning the assumptions, parameters, and system boundaries. During the initial screening we eliminated abstracts, short conference papers, presentations without supporting documentation, and unrelated analyses; 91 studies passed this initial screening. In the primary screening we applied rigorous criteria for completeness of reporting, validity of analysis methods, and modern relevance of the PV system studied. Additionally, we examined whether the product is a commercial one, whether the production line still exists, and whether the study's core data are original or secondary. These screenings produced five studies as the best representations of the carbon footprint of modern thin‐film PV technologies. These were harmonized through alignment of efficiency, irradiation, performance ratio, balance of system, and lifetime. The resulting estimates for carbon footprints are 20, 14, and 26 grams carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt‐hour (g CO‐eq/kWh), respectively, for a‐Si, CdTe, and CIGS, for ground‐mount application under southwestern United States (US‐SW) irradiation of 2,400 kilowatt‐hours per square meter per year (kWh/m2/yr), a performance ratio of 0.8, and a lifetime of 30 years. Harmonization for the rooftop PV systems with a performance ratio of 0.75 and the same irradiation resulted in carbon footprint estimates of 21, 14, and 27 g CO‐eq/kWh, respectively, for the three technologies. This screening and harmonization rectifies previous incomplete or outdated assessments and clarifies variations in carbon footprints across studies and amongst thin‐film technologies.

  • life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of crystalline silicon Photovoltaic Electricity generation
    Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Patrick Odonoughue, Vasilis Fthenakis, Garvin Heath, Pamala Sawyer, Junki Choi, Damon E Turney
    Abstract:

    Published scientific literature contains many studies estimating life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of residential and utility‐scale solar Photovoltaics (PVs). Despite the volume of published work, variability in results hinders generalized conclusions. Most variance between studies can be attributed to differences in methods and assumptions. To clarify the published results for use in decision making and other analyses, we conduct a meta‐analysis of existing studies, harmonizing key performance characteristics to produce more comparable and consistently derived results. Screening 397 life cycle assessments (LCAs) relevant to PVs yielded 13 studies on crystalline silicon (c‐Si) that met minimum standards of quality, transparency, and relevance. Prior to harmonization, the median of 42 estimates of life cycle GHG emissions from those 13 LCAs was 57 grams carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt‐hour (g CO‐eq/kWh), with an interquartile range (IQR) of 44 to 73. After harmonizing key performance characteristics (irradiation of 1,700 kilowatt‐hours per square meter per year (kWh/m2/yr); system lifetime of 30 years; module efficiency of 13.2% or 14.0%, depending on module type; and a performance ratio of 0.75 or 0.80, depending on installation, the median estimate decreased to 45 and the IQR tightened to 39 to 49. The median estimate and variability were reduced compared to published estimates mainly because of higher average assumptions for irradiation and system lifetime. For the sample of studies evaluated, harmonization effectively reduced variability, providing a clearer synopsis of the life cycle GHG emissions from c‐Si PVs. The literature used in this harmonization neither covers all possible c‐Si installations nor represents the distribution of deployed or manufactured c‐Si PVs.

  • life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of crystalline silicon Photovoltaic Electricity generation
    Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2012
    Co-Authors: David D Hsu, Patrick Odonoughue, Vasilis Fthenakis, Garvin Heath, Hyung Chul Kim, Pamala Sawyer, Junki Choi, Damon E Turney
    Abstract:

    Published scientific literature contains many studies estimating life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of residential and utility-scale solar Photovoltaics (PVs). Despite the volume of published work, variability in results hinders generalized conclusions. Most variance between studies can be attributed to differences in methods and assumptions. To clarify the published results for use in decision making and other analyses, we conduct a meta-analysis of existing studies, harmonizing key performance characteristics to produce more comparable and consistently derived results. Screening 397 life cycle assessments (LCAs) relevant to PVs yielded 13 studies on crystalline silicon (c-Si) that met minimum standards of quality, transparency, and relevance. Prior to harmonization, the median of 42 estimates of life cycle GHG emissions from those 13 LCAs was 57 grams carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (g CO{sub 2}-eq/kWh), with an interquartile range (IQR) of 44 to 73. After harmonizing key performance characteristics, irradiation of 1,700 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year (kWh/m{sup 2}/yr); system lifetime of 30 years; module efficiency of 13.2% or 14.0%, depending on module type; and a performance ratio of 0.75 or 0.80, depending on installation, the median estimate decreased to 45 and the IQR tightened to 39 to 49. The median estimate and variabilitymore » were reduced compared to published estimates mainly because of higher average assumptions for irradiation and system lifetime. For the sample of studies evaluated, harmonization effectively reduced variability, providing a clearer synopsis of the life cycle GHG emissions from c-Si PVs. The literature used in this harmonization neither covers all possible c-Si installations nor represents the distribution of deployed or manufactured c-Si PVs.« less

Franck Lucas - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • mechanical compressor driven thermochemical storage for cooling applications in tropical insular regions concept and efficiency analysis
    Applied Energy, 2018
    Co-Authors: Franco Ferrucci, Driss Stitou, Pascal Ortega, Franck Lucas
    Abstract:

    Abstract The energy situation in tropical insular regions, as is found in French Polynesia, presents a number of challenges, including heavy dependence on imported fuel, high transport costs from the mainland and weak Electricity grids. By contrast, these regions possess a variety of renewable energy resources, which are favorable for the exploitation of smart micro grids and energy storage technologies. With regards to electrical energy demand, the high temperatures commonly seen in these regions throughout the entire year implies that a large proportion of Electricity consumption (∼40%) is used for space cooling, even during evening hours. Framed within this context, this paper presents an air conditioning system driven by Photovoltaic Electricity that combines a mechanical vapor refrigeration system and a thermochemical storage unit. Thermochemical processes enable the storage of energy in the form of chemical potential with virtually no losses, which can be used to produce cold during the evening hours without running a compressor. These processes are implemented using thermochemical reactors, in which a reversible chemical reaction between a solid compound and a gas takes place. The solid/gas pair used in this study is barium chloride salt (BaCl2) reacting with ammonia (NH3), which is also the coolant fluid in the refrigeration circuit. In the proposed system, the Photovoltaic-driven electric compressor is used during the day either to run the refrigeration circuit when a cooling demand occurs or to decompose the ammonia-charged salt and to remove the gas from the thermochemical reactor when there is no cooling requirement. During the evening, when there is no Electricity from solar sources, the system changes its configuration and the reactor reabsorbs the ammonia gas from the evaporator to produce cold. The efficiency of this hybrid system is evaluated in this work and compared with alternative processes which utilize either electrochemical (lead-acid, lithium-ion batteries) or thermal storage (ice, chilled water) for cold production.

Arnulf Jagerwaldau - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • snapshot of Photovoltaics march 2021
    EPJ Photovoltaics, 2021
    Co-Authors: Arnulf Jagerwaldau
    Abstract:

    For the past 10 years, Photovoltaic Electricity generation has been the fastest-growing power generation source worldwide. It took almost six decades to achieve 100 GW of solar energy capacity in 2012, but the 1 TW barrier is likely to be broken during 2022. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the overall investments in solar energy have increased by 12% to USD 148.6 billion (EUR 125 billion). In 2020, more than 135 GW of new solar Photovoltaic Electricity generation capacity was installed. The recovery of China, the continuous growths in Europe and the USA as well as new emerging markets were the main drivers. The number of countries installing more than 1 GW annually has increased to 18 in 2020. The continuation of price reductions in the battery storage sector has again resulted in a growing market for local battery storage systems in solar farms as well as decentralised Photovoltaic Electricity generation systems. Apart from classic Electricity use, renewable Electricity for the generation of green hydrogen will become more and more important in the future.

  • solar Photovoltaic Electricity generation a lifeline for the european coal regions in transition
    Sustainability, 2019
    Co-Authors: Katalin Bodis, Ioannis Kougias, Nigel Taylor, Arnulf Jagerwaldau
    Abstract:

    The use of coal for Electricity generation is the main emitter of Greenhous Gas Emissions worldwide. According to the International Energy Agency, these emissions have to be reduced by more than 70% by 2040 to stay on track for the 1.5–2 °C scenario suggested by the Paris Agreement. To ensure a socially fair transition towards the phase-out of coal, the European Commission introduced the Coal Regions in Transition initiative in late 2017. The present paper analyses to what extent the use of Photovoltaic Electricity generation systems can help with this transition in the coal regions of the European Union (EU). A spatially explicit methodology was developed to assess the solar Photovoltaic (PV) potential in selected regions where open-cast coal mines are planned to cease operation in the near future. Different types of solar PV systems were considered including ground-mounted systems developed either on mining land or its surroundings. Furthermore, the installation of rooftop solar PV systems on the existing building stock was also analysed. The obtained results show that the available area in those regions is abundant and that solar PV systems could fully substitute the current Electricity generation of coal-fired power plants in the analysed regions.

  • self consumption of Electricity produced from pv systems in apartment buildings comparison of the situation in australia austria denmark germany greece italy spain switzerland and the usa
    World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 2018
    Co-Authors: Arnulf Jagerwaldau, Christof Bucher, Kenn H B Frederiksen, Ricardo Guerrolemus, Gaetan Mason, Barry Mather, Christoph Mayr, Diana Moneta, John Nikoletatos, Mike B Roberts
    Abstract:

    Since 2000 grid-connected solar Photovoltaic systems have increased their world-wide cumulative capacity more than 300 times to reach 400 GW at the end of 2017. Another doubling is forecasted until 2020 and the further development is coupled with the question at what prices solar Photovoltaic Electricity can be provided and delivered to the customers. The installation of PV systems for self-consumption is already now an interesting option for many people but in general limited to those who have access to a rooftop they own or can use. A new development to enable residents of multi apartment buildings to commonly use Electricity generated by a PV system is a relatively new development and is still facing a lot of administrative and regulatory challenges.

  • thin film Photovoltaics markets and industry
    International Journal of Photoenergy, 2012
    Co-Authors: Arnulf Jagerwaldau
    Abstract:

    Since 2000, total PV production increased almost by two orders of magnitude, with a compound annual growth rate of over 52%. The most rapid growth in annual cell and module production over the last five years could be observed in Asia, where China and Taiwan together now account for about 60% of worldwide production. Between 2005 and 2009, thin film production capacity and volume increased more than the overall industry but did not keep up in 2010 and 2011 due to the rapid price decline for solar modules. Prices for Photovoltaic Electricity generation systems have more than halved over the last five years making the technology affordable to an ever-increasing number of customers worldwide. With worldwide over 60 GW cumulative installed Photovoltaic Electricity generation capacity installed in November 2011, Photovoltaics still is a small contributor to the Electricity supply, and another 10 to 15 years of sustained and aggressive growth will be required for Photovoltaic solar Electricity to become one of the main providers of Electricity. To achieve this, a continuous improvement of the current solar cell technologies will be necessary.

Hongyang Zou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • assessing the effectiveness of china s net metering subsidies for household distributed Photovoltaic systems
    Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020
    Co-Authors: Xinyu Jia, Hongyang Zou
    Abstract:

    Abstract Consumer incentives play a vital role in promoting the adoption of renewable energy technology. In China, the government implemented a single, nation-wide net-metering subsidy to cultivate the distributed Photovoltaic Electricity generation market in 2013 and then had to reduce it twice due to the falling cost of Photovoltaic modules and the large resultant financial gap. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether these subsidy adjustments were accurate, and also to identify the factors affecting the subsidy design. We applied a techno-economic evaluation to examine the actual market performance of China’s household distributed Photovoltaic system in five typical cities with different levels of solar radiation and Electricity consumption patterns, and then investigated the subsidy policy’s effectiveness through a cost-benefit analysis. The results show that a 3–7 kW Photovoltaic capacity in different regions of solar radiation can meet the residential Electricity demand. We found that the examination of net-metering effectiveness should consider both regional difference in solar radiation and the different levels of Electricity demand. Additionally, the cost-benefit analysis also indicated that a reasonable, regionally differentiated metering subsidy should be in the range of 0.05–0.27 yuan/kWh.

Vasilis Fthenakis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of thin film Photovoltaic Electricity generation
    Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Vasilis Fthenakis, Junki Choi, Damon E Turney
    Abstract:

    We present the process and the results of harmonization of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the life cycle of commercial thin‐film Photovoltaics (PVs), that is, amorphous silicon (a‐Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). We reviewed 109 studies and harmonized the estimates of GHG emissions by aligning the assumptions, parameters, and system boundaries. During the initial screening we eliminated abstracts, short conference papers, presentations without supporting documentation, and unrelated analyses; 91 studies passed this initial screening. In the primary screening we applied rigorous criteria for completeness of reporting, validity of analysis methods, and modern relevance of the PV system studied. Additionally, we examined whether the product is a commercial one, whether the production line still exists, and whether the study's core data are original or secondary. These screenings produced five studies as the best representations of the carbon footprint of modern thin‐film PV technologies. These were harmonized through alignment of efficiency, irradiation, performance ratio, balance of system, and lifetime. The resulting estimates for carbon footprints are 20, 14, and 26 grams carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt‐hour (g CO‐eq/kWh), respectively, for a‐Si, CdTe, and CIGS, for ground‐mount application under southwestern United States (US‐SW) irradiation of 2,400 kilowatt‐hours per square meter per year (kWh/m2/yr), a performance ratio of 0.8, and a lifetime of 30 years. Harmonization for the rooftop PV systems with a performance ratio of 0.75 and the same irradiation resulted in carbon footprint estimates of 21, 14, and 27 g CO‐eq/kWh, respectively, for the three technologies. This screening and harmonization rectifies previous incomplete or outdated assessments and clarifies variations in carbon footprints across studies and amongst thin‐film technologies.

  • life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of crystalline silicon Photovoltaic Electricity generation
    Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Patrick Odonoughue, Vasilis Fthenakis, Garvin Heath, Pamala Sawyer, Junki Choi, Damon E Turney
    Abstract:

    Published scientific literature contains many studies estimating life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of residential and utility‐scale solar Photovoltaics (PVs). Despite the volume of published work, variability in results hinders generalized conclusions. Most variance between studies can be attributed to differences in methods and assumptions. To clarify the published results for use in decision making and other analyses, we conduct a meta‐analysis of existing studies, harmonizing key performance characteristics to produce more comparable and consistently derived results. Screening 397 life cycle assessments (LCAs) relevant to PVs yielded 13 studies on crystalline silicon (c‐Si) that met minimum standards of quality, transparency, and relevance. Prior to harmonization, the median of 42 estimates of life cycle GHG emissions from those 13 LCAs was 57 grams carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt‐hour (g CO‐eq/kWh), with an interquartile range (IQR) of 44 to 73. After harmonizing key performance characteristics (irradiation of 1,700 kilowatt‐hours per square meter per year (kWh/m2/yr); system lifetime of 30 years; module efficiency of 13.2% or 14.0%, depending on module type; and a performance ratio of 0.75 or 0.80, depending on installation, the median estimate decreased to 45 and the IQR tightened to 39 to 49. The median estimate and variability were reduced compared to published estimates mainly because of higher average assumptions for irradiation and system lifetime. For the sample of studies evaluated, harmonization effectively reduced variability, providing a clearer synopsis of the life cycle GHG emissions from c‐Si PVs. The literature used in this harmonization neither covers all possible c‐Si installations nor represents the distribution of deployed or manufactured c‐Si PVs.

  • life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of crystalline silicon Photovoltaic Electricity generation
    Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2012
    Co-Authors: David D Hsu, Patrick Odonoughue, Vasilis Fthenakis, Garvin Heath, Hyung Chul Kim, Pamala Sawyer, Junki Choi, Damon E Turney
    Abstract:

    Published scientific literature contains many studies estimating life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of residential and utility-scale solar Photovoltaics (PVs). Despite the volume of published work, variability in results hinders generalized conclusions. Most variance between studies can be attributed to differences in methods and assumptions. To clarify the published results for use in decision making and other analyses, we conduct a meta-analysis of existing studies, harmonizing key performance characteristics to produce more comparable and consistently derived results. Screening 397 life cycle assessments (LCAs) relevant to PVs yielded 13 studies on crystalline silicon (c-Si) that met minimum standards of quality, transparency, and relevance. Prior to harmonization, the median of 42 estimates of life cycle GHG emissions from those 13 LCAs was 57 grams carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour (g CO{sub 2}-eq/kWh), with an interquartile range (IQR) of 44 to 73. After harmonizing key performance characteristics, irradiation of 1,700 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year (kWh/m{sup 2}/yr); system lifetime of 30 years; module efficiency of 13.2% or 14.0%, depending on module type; and a performance ratio of 0.75 or 0.80, depending on installation, the median estimate decreased to 45 and the IQR tightened to 39 to 49. The median estimate and variabilitymore » were reduced compared to published estimates mainly because of higher average assumptions for irradiation and system lifetime. For the sample of studies evaluated, harmonization effectively reduced variability, providing a clearer synopsis of the life cycle GHG emissions from c-Si PVs. The literature used in this harmonization neither covers all possible c-Si installations nor represents the distribution of deployed or manufactured c-Si PVs.« less