Environmental impact of organic solar cells that rated

ScienceDaily (Sept. 20, 2010)-solar energy could be a central alternative to petroleum-based energy production. Current solar cell technology often creates the same energy yield, and is more expensive to competitive. In addition, information about the overall impact of solar energy on the environment is incomplete, say experts.

To better understand the energy and the environmental benefits and disadvantages of solar power, has a team from Rochester Institute of technology one of the first life cycle analyses of organic solar cells durchgeführt.Die study found that embodied energy or the total energy which is less for organic solar cells, as compared to conventional inorganic devices required to machen-a product.

"This analysis it takes to an organic solar cell manufacture, has implications for both costs and environmental impact of technology, provides a comprehensive assessment of how much energy," says Brian Landi, Assistant Professor of chemical engineering at RIT and a faculty advisor to the project.

"Lead"organic solar cells are flexible and easily, and have the promise of low cost solution processing, benefits for manufacturing over previous generation technologies, may have to use mainly inorganic semiconductor materials"Annick Anctil, researcher on the study and a fourth year PhD student in RIT of doctoral studies in sustainability adds.""However, previous evaluations of energy and environmental impacts of the technology were incomplete and a more comprehensive analysis is required to assess the overall impact of the production and use."

The study attempts to calculate the total energy consumption and environmental impact of material collection, production, mass production and use organic solar cells by a comprehensive life cycle assessments of the technology.

Anctil had a component by component breakdown not have previous life cycle analyses, of any material that in an organic solar cell present or a calculation defines the total energy payback of the device as the energy from their use versus the energy required, produced around the cell production.

The team noted that compared to inorganic cells energy payback time for organic solar cells lag.Laufende studies to verify the device stability but warranting persist.

"The produced data helps assess designers and potential manufacturers use and improvement of technology and analysis of feasibility compared to other solar and alternative energy technologies," adds Landi.

The team presented the results at the Institute for electrical and electronics engineers 2010 photovoltaic specialists Conference.Anctil that award at the Conference for best research won hopes a student to analyse the environmental impact of solar cell development with additional life cycle analyses of other types of solar cell technology.

The study was funded by the United States Department of energy and researchers from RIT's Golisano Institute for sustainability and nano power research labs.

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The above story is made of materials reprinted provided by Rochester Institute of technology (with editorial adjustments of ScienceDaily staff).

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