The energy return on energy investment (EROI) of photovoltaics: Methodology and comparisons with fossil fuel life cycles

Marco Raugei, Pere Fullana-i-Palmer and Vasilis Fthenakis

Energy Policy, 2012, vol. 45, issue C, 576-582

Abstract: A high energy return on energy investment (EROI) of an energy production process is crucial to its long-term viability. The EROI of conventional thermal electricity from fossil fuels has been viewed as being much higher than those of renewable energy life-cycles, and specifically of photovoltaics (PVs). We show that this is largely a misconception fostered by the use of outdated data and, often, a lack of consistency among calculation methods. We hereby present a thorough review of the methodology, discuss methodological variations and present updated EROI values for a range of modern PV systems, in comparison to conventional fossil-fuel based electricity life-cycles.

Keywords: EROI; Photovoltaics; Electricity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (63)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:45:y:2012:i:c:p:576-582

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.03.008

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