Input energy analysis of flexible solar cells on textile

An energy assessment was made for a novel solar cell consisting of thin film silicon on woven polyester. The total energy used in manufacture by this unique combination of textile and semiconductor processes was estimated to be 446 MJ/m2, lower compared with using more conventional substrates such a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IET renewable power generation 2015-07, Vol.9 (5), p.514-519
Main Authors: Lind, A. Helena N, Mather, Robert R, Wilson, John I.B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Direct power generation
efficiency 10 percent to 5 percent
elemental semiconductors
energy assessment
energy conversion
Energy use
flexible electronics
flexible solar cells
Glass
input energy analysis
Photovoltaic cells
Polyester resins
semiconductor processes
Semiconductors
silicon
Solar cells
textile
Textiles
thin film silicon
thin films
time 1 year to 2 year
woven polyester
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Summary:An energy assessment was made for a novel solar cell consisting of thin film silicon on woven polyester. The total energy used in manufacture by this unique combination of textile and semiconductor processes was estimated to be 446 MJ/m2, lower compared with using more conventional substrates such as glass and polymer film. The authors' substrate choice of woven polyester (53 MJ/m2) shows a cut in energy use compared with glass, which requires 150–200 MJ/m2. Comparison with the energy generated by the device in a typical mid-European operating ambient showed it to have an energy payback time of 1–2 years for an energy conversion efficiency range of 10–5%.
ISSN:1752-1416
1752-1424
1752-1424
DOI:10.1049/iet-rpg.2014.0197