The French analysis institute CEA-INES has produced a 566 W heterojunction (HJT) demonstrator PV panel utilizing Norwegian silicon wafers primarily based 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 normal 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 primarily based on eco-design ideas.
The demonstration module has an influence output of 556 W, a median effectivity of twenty-two.9%, and has a gapless design. HJT cells are produced in France on the CEA pilot line at INES and embrace improvements that restrict the consumption of indium and silver.
“It achieves a really low carbon footprint of 317 kgCO2eq/kWp in comparison with normal Chinese language merchandise (700 to 800 kgCO2eq/kW) and locations our laboratories among the many leaders in Europe,” stated the CEA in a press release.
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 fabricated from wooden materials out there in Europe, changing the usual aluminum body. This has reportedly diminished 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 motive 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 steadiness of 1023 gCO2eq/kWh.
“A ‘design for recycle’ strategy led to the number of fluorine-free thermoplastic encapsulants and again sheets of European origin, which facilitates recycling,” stated the CEA.
The eco-design strategy features a life cycle evaluation in accordance with ISO14040 and ISO14044 requirements.
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