Economically sustainable scaling of photovoltaics to meet climate targets

Needleman DB, Poindexter JR, Kurchin RC, Peters IM, Wilson G, Buonassisi T (2017)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2017

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Pages Range: 1-5

Conference Proceedings Title: 2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2017

Event location: Washington, DC, USA

ISBN: 9781509056057

DOI: 10.1109/PVSC.2017.8366820

Abstract

To meet climate goals, photovoltaics (PV) deployment will have to grow rapidly over the next fifteen years. We identify two barriers to this growth: scale-up of manufacturing capacity and the cost of PV module production. We explore several technoeconomic approaches to overcoming these barriers and identify deep reductions in the capital intensity (capex) of PV module manufacturing and large increases in module efficiency as the most promising routes to rapid deployment. Given the lag inherent in rolling out new technology, we explore an approach where growth is fueled by debt or subsidies in the short-term and technological advances in the medium term. Finally, we analyze the current capex structure of crystalline silicon PV module manufacturing to identify potential savings.

Involved external institutions

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) US United States (USA) (US) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Needleman, D.B., Poindexter, J.R., Kurchin, R.C., Peters, I.M., Wilson, G., & Buonassisi, T. (2017). Economically sustainable scaling of photovoltaics to meet climate targets. In 2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2017 (pp. 1-5). Washington, DC, USA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..

MLA:

Needleman, David Berney, et al. "Economically sustainable scaling of photovoltaics to meet climate targets." Proceedings of the 44th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, PVSC 2017, Washington, DC, USA Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2017. 1-5.

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