Life-Cycle Analysis of Crystalline-Si “Direct Wafer” and Tandem Perovskite PV Modules and Systems

This article summarizes a life cycle analysis comparing “Direct Wafer” (DW) technology produced by CubicPV to conventional Czochralski wafers as well as the use of both wafer types in tandem with perovskite photovoltaic (PV). It shows that significant reduction in energy and environmental impact is achievable through the use of kerfless wafers in PV module manufacturing. Direct wafer PV production avoids ingot production, associated electricity consumption, and kerf loss and enables reduced wafer thickness. The impact is quantified in terms of life-cycle cumulative energy demand (CED), global warming potential (GWP), and energy pay back time. For single-junction PV, using US-made DW PV cells is projected to result in 47% less CED and 68% less GWP than that required for conventional Cz single-crystalline cells production in China. With direct wafer-perovskite tandem modules, a 24% CED reduction for installed system is projected for US production versus Chinese production with conventional wafering.