How to optimize lifetime, quality and energy yield of photovoltaic modules: a regulatory approach based on a techno-economic-environmental assessment

  1. Arcipowska, A. 2
  2. Espinosa, N. 2
  3. Klos, C. 1
  4. Polverini, D. 1
  1. 1 European Commission, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Brussels, Belgium
  2. 2 European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Seville, Spain
Actas:
4 th PLATE Virtual Conference Limerick, Ireland, 26-28 May 2021

Editorial: University of Limerick

Ano de publicación: 2021

Congreso: 4 th PLATE Virtual Conference Limerick, Ireland, 26-28 May 2021

Tipo: Achega congreso

DOI: ['HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.31880/10344/10256'] GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openAcceso aberto editor

Resumo

The ‘European Green Deal’ attributes a pivotal role to the decarbonisation of the EU energysystem in order to reach climate objectives in 2030 and 2050. Photovoltaic energy (PV), among theplethora of renewable energies, can greatly contribute to EU energy system transition.A recent study carried out by the Joint Research Centre shows that, inter alia, the yield, quality andlong-term performance of PV modules present an improvement potential, which could be tackled bymeans of regulatory instruments, such as the Ecodesign Directive and the Energy Labelling Regulation.In standardisation terms, the durability of a product, intended as an estimator of its technical lifetime,can be defined as the ‘ability to function as required, until a limiting state is reached’. The PV moduleshave a typical annual degradation rate of 0.8%-1%, which leads to 80% of the initial nameplate ratingat 20-25 years.To ensure that PV products manufactured on a large scale are ‘fit for purpose’, factory quality controlsappear to be an effective strategy: the stringent control of materials supplied and manufacturingprocesses lead to defect reduction and narrower efficiency tolerances.The aim of this paper is, therefore:a) to present the results of a techno-economic-environmental assessment, showing how to designsolutions for PV products featuringa. an improved durability and quality, orb. an optimised energy yield over lifetimethat are superior in terms of environmental impacts, without entailing excessive costs;b) to devise potential Ecodesign or Energy Labelling requirements to ‘translate’ into policy theidentified hotspots.

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