Supply risks associated with CdTe and CIGS thin-film photovoltaics

Helbig, Christoph; Bradshaw, Alexander M.; Kolotzek, Christoph; Thorenz, Andrea; Tuma, Axel

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.102

Cited by 51 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 62 publications

(52 reference statements)

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“…In CdTe solar cells, the active/absorber layer is comprised of cadmium and tellurium in a ratio of approximately 48:52 [6]. The absorber layer will typically have a thickness of approximately 1-3 µm but can be as thick as 10µm in some cases [7]. In CIGS solar cells, indium and gallium are also located in the absorber layer, which has a typical thickness of approximately 1-2.5 µm [8].…”

Section: Clean Energy Production Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Critical Material Applications and Intensities in Clean Energy Technologies

Leader¹,

Gaustad²

2019

Clean Technol.

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Clean energy technologies have been developed to address the pressing global issue of climate change; however, the functionality of many of these technologies relies on materials that are considered critical. Critical materials are those that have potential vulnerability to supply disruption. In this paper, critical material intensity data from academic articles, government reports, and industry publications are aggregated and presented in a variety of functional units, which vary based on the application of each technology. The clean energy production technologies of gas turbines, direct drive wind turbines, and three types of solar photovoltaics (silicon, CdTe, and CIGS); the low emission mobility technologies of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, permanent-magnet-containing motors, and both nickel metal hydride and Li-ion batteries; and, the energy-efficient lighting devices (CFL, LFL, and LED bulbs) are analyzed. To further explore the role of critical materials in addressing climate change, emissions savings units are also provided to illustrate the potential for greenhouse gas emission reductions per mass of critical material in each of the clean energy production technologies. Results show the comparisons of material use in clean energy technologies under various performance, economic, and environmental based units.

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Section: Clean Energy Production Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clean energy production technologies: (a) material intensity of direct drive wind turbines [2,32,[40][41][42][43][44]87]; (b) material intensity of three types of photovoltaic solar panels [7,22,[32][33][34]88,89]; (c) material intensity of the superalloy coating used on gas turbines blades [11,14,47].…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Material Applications and Intensities in Clean Energy Technologies

Leader¹,

Gaustad²

2019

Clean Technol.

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“…A screening was carried out in order to identify the best leaching agent considering the options NaOH, H 2 SO 4 , HCl, and HNO 3 25 Nevertheless, literature reports the negative environmental effect connected with the use of this agent, and the possibility to involve a more sustainable agent with a mobilizing effect could be promising. 32 All the experiments were carried out at 80°C for 4 hours, and samples were collected after 30 minutes and 1, 2, and 3 hours.…”

Section: Leaching Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nowadays, the first‐generation PV technology prevails the current market (around 90% of panels are based on c‐Si). The remaining percentage, currently growing, is mainly represented by the second generation thin‐film panels, including the copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) applications . The strong interest for this technology is due to the high energy efficiency (18–22%), kept also at climate extreme conditions, contrary to the c‐Si PV, the long‐term stability of performance, and the low cost production .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The remaining percentage, currently growing, is mainly represented by the second generation thin-film panels, including the copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) applications. 2,3 The strong interest for this technology is due to the high energy efficiency (18-22%), kept also at climate extreme conditions, contrary to the c-Si PV, the long-term stability of performance, and the low cost production. [4][5][6][7][8] Furthermore, this kind of panel needs a low energy input because the thickness of active material (necessary for the conversion of sunlight into electricity) is about 100 times lower than conventional c-Si modules.…”

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confidence: 99%

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End-of-life CIGS photovoltaic panel: A source of secondary indium and gallium

Amato

Beolchini

2018

Prog Photovolt Res Appl

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The photovoltaic market has boomed in the last decade, and it is becoming much richer of high performance technologies. The copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) panel represents an example of young technology that shows high energy efficiency, kept at extreme weather conditions. Its average lifetime is around 25 years, and a strategy for a convenient recycling should be planned to prevent the future storage of high waste amount. The interest of end‐of‐life CIGS panels is due to their content of critical raw materials, mainly Ga and In, with concentrations around 600 and 90 ppm, respectively, higher than those in the ores. In this context, we tested different leaching agents (H2SO4, HCl, HNO3, citric acid, and NaOH), in the possible presence of a mobilizing agent (H2O2 and glucose), to obtain high‐efficiency metal extraction. Furthermore, to minimize the environmental impact of the process, the experimental activity was combined with the evaluation of the carbon footprint of the experimented options, using the life cycle assessment tool. Overall, the combination of CA and H2O2 appeared the best choice, from both the operative and the sustainability point of view, showing efficiencies higher than 90%, after 1 hour, at 80°C, with a carbon footprint of 0.1‐kg CO2‐eq. The obtained result represents an innovation in the field of end‐of‐life CIGS photovoltaic panel exploitation, and it is the starting point for both secondary In and Ga production, in agreement with the circular economy approach.

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Supply risks associated with CdTe and CIGS thin-film photovoltaics

Cited by 51 publications

References 62 publications

Critical Material Applications and Intensities in Clean Energy Technologies

Critical Material Applications and Intensities in Clean Energy Technologies

End-of-life CIGS photovoltaic panel: A source of secondary indium and gallium

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