Sustainability evaluation of CdTe PV: An update

Vasilis Fthenakis, Clement Athias, Alyssa Blumenthal, Aylin Kulur, Julia Magliozzo and David Ng

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2020, vol. 123, issue C

Abstract: Cadmium Telluride thin-film photovoltaics (CdTe PV) have succeeded in producing electricity at grid-parity costs in sunny regions, with particular application in large solar facilities, totaling 25 GW since the start of commercial production in 2002. A rigorous sustainability evaluation is appropriate, in view of this drastic growth in CdTe PV production and deployment. This paper provides an update of a 2004 article by the leading author, on the life cycle impact of cadmium in CdTe PV and expands it to resource recovery and up-normal events. Thus, we analyze the environmental sustainability of CdTe PV in manufacturing, product use, and end-of-life management, and critically review recent studies on CdTe risks associated with large PV power plants, with special focus on potential failures during extreme events. We substantiate that module manufacturing by the current leader in commercial CdTe PV production, does not pose sustainability concerns because their Cd management program is extensive and sufficiently protects workers from Cd exposure, as evidenced by worker biomonitoring data. During product use, we identified and evaluated impacts during fires and extreme weather conditions, based on experimental data, worst-case modeling, and historical events. Based on credible data and corollary evidence we determined that there are not environmental impacts during normal conditions and that environmental impact risks are minimal during conceivable extreme conditions. Regarding end-of-life management of CdTe PV, recycling is the preferred management option for minimizing potential environmental impacts in comparison to landfill disposal or incineration, while providing semiconductor materials for future CdTe PV manufacturing.

Keywords: CdTe; Photovoltaics; Sustainability; Extreme events; Fires; Leaching; Cadmium; Tellurium (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.109776

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