Evaluating the causes of cost reduction in photovoltaic modules

Kavlak, Goksin; McNerney, James; Trancik, Jessika E.

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2018.08.015

Cited by 313 publications

(200 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Contact formation on a silicon solar cell is the second most expensive processing step after wafer manufacturing. [1][2][3] Although there are different metallization techniques, [4][5][6][7][8] by far screen-printed Ag front contact is the most cost-effective, simple, mature, and of higher throughput. [9][10][11] The Ag front gridlines should be narrow (less than 30 μm) to minimize the shading loss so that the short circuit current (J SC ), fill factor (FF), and hence the conversion efficiency can be high.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid thermal processing of cost‐effective contacts for silicon solar cells

Unsur

Klein

Hest

et al. 2019

Progress in Photovoltaics

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This paper reports on the investigation of rapid thermal processing (RTP) of contacting the Al‐BSF solar cell with Ag, Cu, and Ni in conjunction with aerosol printing technique. The study showed a liftoff and delamination, respectively, for the bi and tri stack layers of Ag frit/Ni and Ag frit/Ni/Cu fired above 790°C peak firing temperature. The 770°C peak firing temperature gave excellent electrical performance for both bi and tri stack layer contacts, which is not favorable to forming thick back surface field (BSF) required for high open circuit voltage (VOC). This suggests that the bilayer and trilayer contacts involving Ag frit are limited to low peak firing temperature, but Ni frit, on the other hand, showed a wider firing temperature range. This is supported by low reverse saturation current density (J02) of 1.1 × 10−11 A/cm2 and high shunt resistance (RSH) of 5750 Ω·cm2 for the Ni frit fired at 800°C peak firing temperature. More so, the adhesion of Ni Frit to silicon is better than Ag counterpart as evidenced in the SEM micrograph. Thus, by adopting RTP Ni/Cu contacts, the cost of metallization of solar cell can be dropped from 35% of total processing cost to only 5% to 6%, which is approximately 30% drop in the total cost of processing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid thermal processing of cost‐effective contacts for silicon solar cells

Unsur

Klein

Hest

et al. 2019

Progress in Photovoltaics

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“…Most government efforts to support production decarbonization have been through investment and tax credits to offset the costs and risks of investment in innovative technologies, as well as direct research, development and some piloting, for example, the US Advanced Research Projects Agency programs (e.g., ARPA‐Energy), or the European Union Ultra‐low CO 2 Steelmaking (UCLOS) and H2020 programs. Arguably, these programs have been pivotal to keystone technological advancements, such as solar photovoltaics (Kavlak, McNerney, & Trancik, ). These programs, while necessary and successful in generating technologies, do not, however, necessarily bridge the commercialization “valley of death.” Transformative technological change is more likely to succeed with transition plans involving most if not all supply chain actors (e.g., government, basic materials producers, finance suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers).…”

Section: Policy Package Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical and policy pathways to net‐zero emissions industry

Bataille

2019

WIREs Climate Change

107

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Several recent studies have identified emerging and near-commercial process and technological options to transition heavy industry to global net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mid-century, as required by the Paris Agreement. To reduce industrial emissions with sufficient speed to meet the Paris goals, this review article argues for the rapid formation of regional and sectoral transition plans, implemented through comprehensive policy packages. These policy packages, which will differ by country, sector, and level of development, must reflect regional capacities, politics, resources, and other key circumstances, and be informed and accepted by the stakeholders who must implement the transition. These packages will likely include a mix of the following mutually reinforcing strategies: reducing and substituting the demand for GHG intense materials (i.e., material efficiency) while raising the quantity and quality of recycling through intentional design and regulation; removal of energy subsidies combined with carbon pricing with competitiveness protection; research and development support for decarbonized production technologies followed by lead markets and subsidized prices during early stage commercialization; sunset policies for older high carbon facilities; electricity, hydrogen and carbon capture, and storage infrastructure planning and support; and finally, supporting institutions, including for a "just workforce & community transition" and monitoring and adjustment of policy effectiveness. Given the paucity of industrial decarbonization perspectives available for in-transition and lessdeveloped countries, the review finishes with a discussion of priorities and responsibilities for developed, in-transition and less developed countries.

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“…Utility‐scale PV market is extremely competitive, and the appearance of a new entrant in the near future will be very challenging, especially in view of consistently dropping pricings offered by c‐Si . Publicly and privately funded research and development (R&D) efforts, market‐stimulating policies, and scale economies (dominant factor after 2001) have been driving the cost reduction, making PV the cheapest source of energy today . It is certainly a valuable lesson how to create a new technology affordable.…”

Section: Maturity Pointmentioning

confidence: 99%

Industrial Opportunities and Challenges for Perovskite Photovoltaic Technology

2019

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Perovskite solar cell technology is fast approaching its first commercial deployment, with the 10‐year mark since the first research having passed recently. Commercial entrance seems very tangible, but there are a number of remaining challenges related to various economic and technical factors. Conventional photovoltaic markets, such as utility scale photovoltaics, are quite rigid and very demanding for a new entrant. Perovskites offer several new value propositions, which offer monetization prospects in the near future, if properly used. In particular, functionalities such as flexibility, high specific power, and good low‐light performance enable new applications and broadening of the conventional PV usage. The specific cases of internet of things and building‐integrated photovoltaics are discussed, and market opportunities are analyzed. Technology incubation with simultaneous market presence in emerging applications can provide essential economic stability and time for the technology to develop into its full potential. Opportunities in high‐value markets and massive‐scale deployment are also addressed, with the analysis of potentially disruptive offerings being promised by perovskite photovoltaic technology.

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Evaluating the causes of cost reduction in photovoltaic modules

Abstract: Evaluating the causes of cost reduction in photovoltaic modules The MIT Faculty has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters. Citation Kavlak, Goksin et al. "Evaluating the causes of cost reduction in photovoltaic modules."

Cited by 313 publications

References 66 publications

Rapid thermal processing of cost‐effective contacts for silicon solar cells

Rapid thermal processing of cost‐effective contacts for silicon solar cells

Physical and policy pathways to net‐zero emissions industry

Industrial Opportunities and Challenges for Perovskite Photovoltaic Technology

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