RSE has published in Solar Energy the study “Development of a prototype InGaP/Si cell and analysis of environmental and economic benefits”, authored by Sofia Spagnolo, Giulio Mela, and Pierpaolo Girardi from the Department of Sustainable Development and Energy Sources and Giovanni Abagnale from the Department of Generation Technologies and Materials.

The paper is focused on the development of a prototype InGaP photovoltaic cell grown on a silicon substrate, designed for applications in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) and for building-integrated photovoltaics. Using an ISO 14040-compliant “cradle-to-gate” Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, the research evaluates the potential environmental and economic impacts of laboratory-scale production of the new cell, comparing them with those of the more mature InGaP/GaAs cell technology.

The results indicate that, for the same installed power and efficiency, InGaP/Si cells can reduce potential climate-change impacts compared with InGaP/GaAs cells, mainly thanks to replacing the GaAs substrate with more abundant and cost-effective silicon. The study also highlights that the use of gold for electrical contacts remains a key driver of impacts related to resource use, minerals and metals and provides useful insights to guide eco-design choices and research activities toward even more sustainable solutions.

Click here to view the study.