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Title:
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Environmental impacts of PV electricity generation - a critical comparison of energy supply options
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Author(s):
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Alsema, E.A.; Wild - Scholten, M.J. de; Fthenakis, V.M.
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Published by:
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Publication date:
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ECN
Solar Energy
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11-9-2006
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ECN report number:
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Document type:
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ECN-RX--06-016
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Conference Paper
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Number of pages:
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Full text:
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7
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Download PDF
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Presented at: 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Dresden, Germany, 4-8 september 2006.
Abstract:
An overview is given of the environmental impacts of different PV technologies both at the present status of
technology and for future technology. Crystalline silicon PV systems presently have energy pay-back times of 1.5-2 years
for South-European locations and 2.7-3.5 yr for Middle-European locations. For silicon technology clear prospects for a reduction of energy input exist, and an energy pay-back of 1 year may be possible within a few years. Thin film technologies now have energy pay-back times in the range of 1-1.5 years (S.Europe). Greenhouse gas emissions are now in the range of
25-32 g/kWh and this could decrease to 15 g/kWh in the future. Therefore PV energy systems have a very good potential as a low-carbon energy supply technology.
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