The French analysis institute CEA-INES has produced a 566 W heterojunction (HJT) demonstrator PV panel utilizing Norwegian silicon wafers based mostly on German polysilicon and photo voltaic cells made in France. The prototype has a carbon footprint of 317 kgCO2eq/kW, which is decrease than the utmost 800 kgCO2eq/kW customary for Chinese language merchandise.
Researchers on the Nationwide Photo voltaic Vitality Institute (INES) – a division of the French Different Energies and Atomic Vitality Fee (CEA) – have developed a heterojunction (HJT) photo voltaic module for residential functions based mostly on eco-design rules.
The demonstration module has an influence output of 556 W, a mean effectivity of twenty-two.9%, and has a gapless design. HJT cells are produced in France on the CEA pilot line at INES and embody improvements that restrict the consumption of indium and silver.
“It achieves a really low carbon footprint of 317 kgCO2eq/kWp in comparison with customary Chinese language merchandise (700 to 800 kgCO2eq/kW) and locations our laboratories among the many European leaders,” stated the CEA in an announcement.
The brand new module makes use of Norwegian-made silicon wafers with a thickness of 130 microns as a substitute of 170 microns, thus decreasing the carbon footprint on a cell scale. The polysilicon on the wafer is sourced from Germany.
The panel is totally assembled in France and makes use of 2 mm glass. It contains a body made from wooden materials accessible in Europe, changing the usual aluminum body. This has reportedly lowered the carbon footprint by greater than 50 kgCO2eq/kW.
The low carbon combine within the electrical combine in Germany, Norway, and France is the primary purpose for decreasing the carbon footprint of the module. In response to the CEA, these international locations have a carbon mixture of 650 gCO2eq/kWh, 29 gCO2eq/kWh, and 52 gCO2eq/kWh, respectively, in comparison with the Chinese language combine, which has a carbon stability of 1023 gCO2eq/kWh.
“A ‘design for recycle’ method led to the collection of fluorine-free thermoplastic encapsulants and again sheets of European origin, which facilitates recycling,” stated the CEA.
The eco-design method features a life cycle evaluation in accordance with ISO14040 and ISO14044 requirements.
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