LCA of different recycling strategies of perovskite solar cells

Semester/Master Project

Context

Perovksite solar cells (PSCs) are going to be the future of PV technology. During the last decade, the enormous jump in their efficiencies to >26% make them one of the strongest competitiors to the established Si solar cells industry. The technology has following advantages as compared to the conventional solar cells:

  • low material consumption
  • low-temperature solution based processing
  • roll-to-roll printing/ deposition compatibility i.e, high scalability
  • efficiencies comparable to silicon solar cells > 26%
  • compatible with tandem PV technologies having efficiencies > 34% with easily tunable bandgaps

With the above mentioned pros and progress, it is likely that in this decade, the technology can take huge share of the PV market and may surpass the market share of established Si industry. Therefore, it is important to look into the life cycle impacts of these cells so that these considerations can also be taken into account during the complete optimization.

Project 2

The project will be structured as follows:

  • overview of different technologies used at various steps of the recycling process
  • first principle models for each of the process steps based on mass and energy balance
  • creating process design based on existing literature using a methodological framework
  • developing database for material inventory and equipment inventory for solar modules production
  • developing the model for LCA of different recycling strategies of perovskite solar cells and calculating various KPIs
  • carrying out uncertainty analysis using monte-carlo simulations

Skills

  • Interest and understanding of PV technologies and other energy technologies
  • independent and motivated
  • Coding skills in Python or other language are necessary
  • Results interpretation and report writing
  • Language skills: English (C1/C2 level)
  • Systematic thinker and problem-solver oriented
  • Background: Material science, Mechanical (or manufacturing), Micro engineering, Energy science, others

Lectures: - Semiconductor devices I - Fundamentals & processes for photovoltaic devices - Energy conversion and renewable energy - Life cycle assessment in energy systems

Supervision

If interested, please contact Naveen Bhati (naveen.bhati@epfl.ch) attaching your CV, Cover Letter and transcript of records (Bachelor’s and Master’s). Short-listed candidates will be interviewed. Early applications are encouraged

Practical information

The IPESE laboratory is located in the Sion EPFL campus. Travels between Lausanne and Sion are compensated by EPFL.

References:

  1. Chang, N. L., Newman, B. K., & Egan, R. J. (2022). Future cost projections for photovoltaic module manufacturing using a bottom-up cost and uncertainty model.Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 237, 111529.: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927024821005651
  2. Del Canizo, C., Del Coso, G., & Sinke, W. C. (2009). Crystalline silicon solar module technology: Towards the 1€ per watt‐peak goal.Progress in photovoltaics: research and applications,17(3), 199-209.: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/pip.878
  3. Louwen, A., Van Sark, W., Schropp, R., & Faaij, A. (2016). A cost roadmap for silicon heterojunction solar cells.Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 147, 295-314. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927024815006741