|
Title:
|
|
Crystalline Silicon Solar Module Technology: Towards the 1 Euro Per Watt-Peak Goal
|
|
|
|
Author(s):
|
Canizo, C. del; Coso, Gonzalo del; Sinke, W.C.
|
|
|
|
Published by:
|
Publication date:
|
|
ECN
Solar Energy
|
30-12-2008
|
|
|
|
ECN report number:
|
Document type:
|
|
ECN-W--08-064
|
Article (scientific)
|
|
|
|
Number of pages:
|
|
|
11
|
|
Published in: Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications (John Wiley & Sons Ltd.), , 2009, Vol.17, p.199-209.
Abstract:
Crystalline silicon solar module manufacturing cost is analysed, from feedstock to final product, regarding the equipment, labour, materials, yield losses and fixed cost contributions. Data provided by European
industrial partners are used to describe a reference technology and to obtain its cost breakdown. The analysis of the main cost drivers allows to define new generation technologies suitable to reduce module cost towards
the short-term goal of 1s per watt-peak. This goal roughly corresponds with the cost level needed to enable ‘grid parity’: the situation solar electricity becomes competitive with retail electricity. The new technologies are described and their costs are analysed. Cost reductions due to scale effects in production are also assessed for next generation manufacturing plants with capacities in the range of several hundreds of megawatts to one gigawatt of module power per year, which are to come in the near future. The combined effects of technology development and economies of scale bring the direct manufacturing costs of wafer-based
crystalline silicon solar modules down into the range of 09–13s per watt-peak, according to current insights and information (the range results from differences between technologies as well as from uncertainties per technology).
More Information:
Back to List