IIT-Mandi compares sustainability, profitability of solar cell technologies
Dipender Manta
Mandi, July 19
Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, researchers have performed a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of five solar cell technologies to identify the most sustainable and profitable option for solar energy production in India. The research addresses the need for efficient and environmentally friendly solar power systems tailored to India.
An IIT-Mandi spokesperson said the study, co-authored by School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Associate Professors Dr Atul Dhar and Dr Satvasheel Ramesh Powar, along with Dr Shweta Singh, was published in the Journal of Environmental Management.
The study offers insights for investors and policymakers to improve the environmental performance of solar technologies in India.
“Between 2010 and 2020, India advanced in clean energy to meet its Paris and Copenhagen commitments, driven by initiatives such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. However, COVID-19 disrupted the solar supply chain, delaying Rs 160 billion worth of projects. After COP-26, India’s focus shifted to green solar manufacturing to enhance supply chain reliability, energy security, and decarbonisation, aligning with UN clean energy goals,” the spokesperson added.
“Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of various solar technologies is crucial for establishing effective solar power systems in India. While numerous studies have been conducted globally, most have evaluated impact categories such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Energy Payback Time (EPBT). Other critical impact categories, such as human toxicity and ozone depletion, are often overlooked, and not many studies have assessed these technologies under Indian conditions,” he said.
Dr Dhar said, “Our study provides detailed environmental analysis of dominant solar PV technologies in the Indian market. Although solar PV systems are environmentally friendlier than fossil fuels during their operational phase, they do have significant environmental impacts during the manufacturing and usage phases.”
The researchers evaluated the environmental impacts of the five solar energy technologies using Indian manufacturing conditions — Mono-silicon, Polysilicon, Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC).
The research team performed a cradle-to-gate analysis using the Life Cycle Assessment tool, which included 18 environmental impact categories.
These categories covered essential aspects such as global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, human carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic toxicity, and fine particulate matter formation, from raw material extraction to solar panel manufacturing.
The researchers found that CdTe technology exhibited the lowest environmental impact among the five technologies studied. It had the least carbon dioxide emissions, ozone depletion potential, human health effects and particulate air pollution. This was closely followed by CIGS PV cells.
Speaking of the implications of this research, Dr Powar said, “The Life Cycle Assessment of solar module technologies can help identify the most sustainable technology that balances economic, social and environmental benefits. Our findings can guide policymakers to promote the most sustainable technologies, boosting the low-carbon economy and reducing the environmental impact of solar energy production.”
The researchers acknowledged that their study only examined a portion of the solar technology life cycle, excluding the recycling and end-of-life phases. They plan to investigate these phases in future research.
