European new energy photovoltaic power generation glass polysilicon

In a new study, researchers at the Fraunhofer ISE have calculated that silicon photovoltaic modules manufactured in the European Union produce 40 percent less CO2 than modules manufactured in China.

"If I want to install a photovoltaic system in a European location with average irradiation values, I have a great influence on its climate friendliness with the choice of my PV modules," explains Dr. Holger Neuhaus, Head of Department for Module Technology at Fraunhofer ISE.

Glass-glass PV modules (b) do not require an aluminum frame and therefore have a lower carbon footprint than PV modules with backsheet (a). Although photovoltaic modules convert sunlight into electricity without producing emissions, PV-generated solar energy does produce CO2 emissions during production, transport and at the end of module life.

In the process, they also found that glass-glass modules enable an additional emissions reduction ranging between 7.5 to 12.5 percent compared to PV modules with backsheet films, regardless of their production location.

In response to growing concerns for the energy efficiency of buildings, AGC Glass Europe set out to re-invent photovoltaic glass, often derided for being unsightly and sometimes prohibitively expensive. It therefore adopted a new industrial approach and completely revamped its range of photovoltaic products.

The photoelectric materials of emerging OPV mainly encompass organic small molecule and polymer materials. Owing to the ability of molecular modification, the tuneable bandgap of organic materials (1.0 eV-2.0 eV) presents substantial potential in tandem, indoor, semi-transparent, and colourful photovoltaics.