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Increasing markets and decreasing package weight for high-specific-power photovoltaics

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew O. Reese

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Stephen Glynn

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Michael D. Kempe

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Deborah L. McGott

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory
    Colorado School of Mines)

  • Matthew S. Dabney

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Teresa M. Barnes

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Samuel Booth

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • David Feldman

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

  • Nancy M. Haegel

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

Abstract

Thin-film and emerging technologies in photovoltaics (PV) offer advantages for lightweight, flexible power over the rigid silicon panels that dominate the present market. One important advantage is high specific power (the power-to-weight ratio). Here we consider niche market size, price points and value propositions that can provide a path for new PV market entrants. Examining the cost–production experience curves of Si, CdTe and CIGS PV suggests that a minimum market size of US$0.2–1 billion is required to incubate a new market entrant. Several markets requiring high specific power meet this threshold. We assess the critical role of the substrate, packaging and interconnects and provide a quantitative assessment of pathways to maximize specific power. With all requisite components included, along with requirements for safety and reliability, we estimate a lower bound for a durable lightweight module at about 300–500 g m−2. Pairing this bound with a 15%-efficiency thin-film or 35%-efficiency III–V module would yield specific powers up to 500 W kg−1 or 1,167 W kg−1, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew O. Reese & Stephen Glynn & Michael D. Kempe & Deborah L. McGott & Matthew S. Dabney & Teresa M. Barnes & Samuel Booth & David Feldman & Nancy M. Haegel, 2018. "Increasing markets and decreasing package weight for high-specific-power photovoltaics," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(11), pages 1002-1012, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:3:y:2018:i:11:d:10.1038_s41560-018-0258-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-018-0258-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Hyunho Lee & Hyung‐Jun Song, 2021. "Current status and perspective of colored photovoltaic modules," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(6), November.
    2. Khaoula Amri & Rabeb Belghouthi & Michel Aillerie & Rached Gharbi, 2021. "Device Optimization of a Lead-Free Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cell with 24.4% Power Conversion Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Zimmerman, Ryan & Panda, Anurag & Bulović, Vladimir, 2020. "Techno-economic assessment and deployment strategies for vertically-mounted photovoltaic panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    4. Parlikar, Anupam & Truong, Cong Nam & Jossen, Andreas & Hesse, Holger, 2021. "The carbon footprint of island grids with lithium-ion battery systems: An analysis based on levelized emissions of energy supply," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    5. Parlikar, Anupam & Schott, Maximilian & Godse, Ketaki & Kucevic, Daniel & Jossen, Andreas & Hesse, Holger, 2023. "High-power electric vehicle charging: Low-carbon grid integration pathways with stationary lithium-ion battery systems and renewable generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    6. Koosha Nassiri Nazif & Alwin Daus & Jiho Hong & Nayeun Lee & Sam Vaziri & Aravindh Kumar & Frederick Nitta & Michelle E. Chen & Siavash Kananian & Raisul Islam & Kwan-Ho Kim & Jin-Hong Park & Ada S. Y, 2021. "High-specific-power flexible transition metal dichalcogenide solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    7. Gordon, Jeffrey M., 2022. "Uninterrupted photovoltaic power for lunar colonization without the need for storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 987-994.
    8. Zhou, Yuekuan, 2022. "Transition towards carbon-neutral districts based on storage techniques and spatiotemporal energy sharing with electrification and hydrogenation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    9. Hasitha C. Weerasinghe & Nasiruddin Macadam & Jueng-Eun Kim & Luke J. Sutherland & Dechan Angmo & Leonard W. T. Ng & Andrew D. Scully & Fiona Glenn & Regine Chantler & Nathan L. Chang & Mohammad Dehgh, 2024. "The first demonstration of entirely roll-to-roll fabricated perovskite solar cell modules under ambient room conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    10. Young-Su Kim & A-Rong Kim & Sung-Ju Tark, 2022. "Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Modules Using Additive-Manufactured Optical Pattern," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, February.
    11. Arias-Rosales, Andrés & LeDuc, Philip R., 2023. "Urban solar harvesting: The importance of diffuse shadows in complex environments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).

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