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Permanently dispelling a myth of photovoltaics via the adoption of a new net energy indicator

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  • Richards, B.S.
  • Watt, M.E.

Abstract

For many years, the photovoltaics (PV) community has relied on the concept of energy payback time (EPT) as a means of quantifying the ratio of energy generated from a PV panel or system over its lifetime, compared to the energy that was required to fabricate it. Few other energy technologies are so judged and this paper argues that the EPT concept is obsolete, misleading and may possibly even contribute to keeping the myth alive, that 'That PV does not payback the energy used to create it'. Therefore, a new norm for the PV community is proposed, the energy yield ratio (EYR), as used by Gürzenich et al. (Int J Life Cycle Assess 1999; 4(3): 144-9). EYR values for three different PV products (a single multicrystalline silicon module, 2Â kW rooftop grid-connected system, and a solar home system) are determined to be 4.8-13.9, many times the energy inputs required to fabricate the system.

Suggested Citation

  • Richards, B.S. & Watt, M.E., 2007. "Permanently dispelling a myth of photovoltaics via the adoption of a new net energy indicator," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(1), pages 162-172, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:11:y:2007:i:1:p:162-172
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    4. Kaldellis, J.K. & Zafirakis, D. & Kondili, E., 2010. "Energy pay-back period analysis of stand-alone photovoltaic systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1444-1454.
    5. Hernandez, Patxi & Kenny, Paul, 2011. "Development of a methodology for life cycle building energy ratings," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3779-3788, June.
    6. Sumper, Andreas & Robledo-García, Mercedes & Villafáfila-Robles, Roberto & Bergas-Jané, Joan & Andrés-Peiró, Juan, 2011. "Life-cycle assessment of a photovoltaic system in Catalonia (Spain)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 3888-3896.
    7. Aman, M.M. & Solangi, K.H. & Hossain, M.S. & Badarudin, A. & Jasmon, G.B. & Mokhlis, H. & Bakar, A.H.A. & Kazi, S.N, 2015. "A review of Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) issues of solar energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1190-1204.
    8. Menoufi, Karim & Chemisana, Daniel & Rosell, Joan I., 2013. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Building Integrated Concentrated Photovoltaic scheme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 505-514.
    9. Kaldellis, J.K. & Zafirakis, D. & Kondili, E., 2009. "Optimum autonomous stand-alone photovoltaic system design on the basis of energy pay-back analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(9), pages 1187-1198.
    10. Chaurey, Akanksha & Kandpal, Tara Chandra, 2010. "Assessment and evaluation of PV based decentralized rural electrification: An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(8), pages 2266-2278, October.
    11. Kaldellis, J.K. & Zafirakis, D. & Stavropoulou, V. & Kaldelli, El., 2012. "Optimum wind- and photovoltaic-based stand-alone systems on the basis of life cycle energy analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 345-357.
    12. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin, 2013. "Investigation on the development potential of rooftop PV system in Hong Kong and its environmental benefits," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 149-162.

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