Perspectives on the pathways for cadmium telluride photovoltaic module manufacturers to address expected increases in the price for tellurium

Woodhouse, Michael; Goodrich, Alan; Margolis, Robert; James, T.; Dhere, R. G.; Gessert, T. A.; Barnes, Teresa M.; Eggert, Roderick G.; Albin, David S.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2012.03.023

Cited by 80 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Also the material intensity has a potential for remarkable improvements by a factor of four as shown by Woodhouse et al: the efficiency can be almost doubled while, at the same time, the active layer thickness can be cut to 1 μm. It is however, not yet clear to what extent this potential will become reality for commercial applications [66]. In the optimistic case, this would allow more than 300 Mtoe or 3500 TWh of annual electricity production.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are prospects for reducing material requirements by significant amounts for CIGS and CdTe by utilizing even thinner films and advanced light trapping technologies [9,66]. Large scale development of the studied solar technologies would likely require either substantial reductions in material intensity, technical advancements in electricity generation efficiency or increased world mineral reserves as well as significant increases in mine production.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing Rare Metal Availability Challenges for Solar Energy Technologies

Grandell

Höök

2015

Sustainability

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Solar energy is commonly seen as a future energy source with significant potential. Ruthenium, gallium, indium and several other rare elements are common and vital components of many solar energy technologies, including dye-sensitized solar cells, CIGS cells and various artificial photosynthesis approaches. This study surveys solar energy technologies and their reliance on rare metals such as indium, gallium, and ruthenium. Several of these rare materials do not occur as primary ores, and are found as byproducts associated with primary base metal ores. This will have an impact on future production trends and the availability for various applications. In addition, the geological reserves of many vital metals are scarce and severely limit the potential of certain solar energy technologies. It is the conclusion of this study that certain solar energy concepts are unrealistic in terms of achieving TW scales.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Rare Metal Availability Challenges for Solar Energy Technologies

Grandell

Höök

2015

Sustainability

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“…[1] The short-circuit current densities (J SC , <4 mA cm −2 ) and external quantum efficiencies (EQEs, <60%) have also been poor, [1,18] in spite of efforts to extend the photoconversion range of bismuth halide semiconductors (J SC < 3.4 mA cm −2 , EQE < 25%). [14] Although higher efficiencies have been reported in bismuth-and antimony-based chalcogenides, [19][20][21][22] it is important to understand whether the broader range of ns 2 compounds predicted to be defect-tolerant could also exceed 1% power conversion efficiency and reach the levels needed for commercial production after optimization.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Strongly Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance and Defect Physics of Air‐Stable Bismuth Oxyiodide (BiOI)

et al. 2017

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Bismuth‐based compounds have recently gained increasing attention as potentially nontoxic and defect‐tolerant solar absorbers. However, many of the new materials recently investigated show limited photovoltaic performance. Herein, one such compound is explored in detail through theory and experiment: bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI). BiOI thin films are grown by chemical vapor transport and found to maintain the same tetragonal phase in ambient air for at least 197 d. The computations suggest BiOI to be tolerant to antisite and vacancy defects. All‐inorganic solar cells (ITO|NiOx|BiOI|ZnO|Al) with negligible hysteresis and up to 80% external quantum efficiency under select monochromatic excitation are demonstrated. The short‐circuit current densities and power conversion efficiencies under AM 1.5G illumination are nearly double those of previously reported BiOI solar cells, as well as other bismuth halide and chalcohalide photovoltaics recently explored by many groups. Through a detailed loss analysis using optical characterization, photoemission spectroscopy, and device modeling, direction for future improvements in efficiency is provided. This work demonstrates that BiOI, previously considered to be a poor photocatalyst, is promising for photovoltaics.

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“…Without taking into account possible effects of Te price on production, and assuming continuous improvements in Te recovery rate, module efficiency, CdTe layer thickness, and Te utilization rate, the model predicted that it is possible to have enough Te available for a manufacturing volume of ∼150 GW∕year in 2050. Woodhouse et al 56 examined the sensitivity of the module manufacturing cost to a 10-fold increase in the price of Te. They found that it was essential to improve the Te utilization rate to be able to keep the CdTe film cost at a 0.15∕W level.…”

Section: Life Cycle Profile and Te Availabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Brief review of cadmium telluride-based photovoltaic technologies

Başol

McCandless

2014

J. Photon. Energy

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Abstract. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is the most commercially successful thin-film photovoltaic technology. Development of CdTe as a solar cell material dates back to the early 1980s when ∼10% efficient devices were demonstrated. Implementation of better quality glass, more transparent conductive oxides, introduction of a high-resistivity transparent film under the CdS junction-partner, higher deposition temperatures, and improved Cl-treatment, doping, and contacting approaches yielded >16% efficient cells in the early 2000s. Around the same time period, use of a photoresist plug monolithic integration process facilitated the demonstration of the first 11% efficient module. The most dramatic advancements in CdTe device efficiencies were made during the 2013 to 2014 time frame when small-area cell conversion efficiency was raised to 20% range and a champion module efficiency of 17% was reported. CdTe technology is attractive in terms of its limited life-cycle greenhouse gas and heavy metal emissions, small carbon footprint, and short energy payback times. Limited Te availability is a challenge for the growth of this technology unless Te utilization rates are greatly enhanced along with device efficiencies.

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Perspectives on the pathways for cadmium telluride photovoltaic module manufacturers to address expected increases in the price for tellurium

Cited by 80 publications

References 46 publications

Assessing Rare Metal Availability Challenges for Solar Energy Technologies

Assessing Rare Metal Availability Challenges for Solar Energy Technologies

Strongly Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance and Defect Physics of Air‐Stable Bismuth Oxyiodide (BiOI)

Brief review of cadmium telluride-based photovoltaic technologies

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