Life cycle resource consumption and land use of photovoltaic (PV) system in South Korea

In this study, the PV types of SC-Si, MC-Si, CI(G)S, and CdTe were considered to quantity the material consumption. The module, balance of system (BOS) and number of cells (PCS) are considered in the PV system. Based on 1 m2 PV module, all input materials (ferrous and nonferrous, critical and rare earth materials) are calculated. With this result and future PV energy development plan, total material and land use requirement are estimated.