Environmental life-cycle assessment of building-integrated concentrating photovoltaic/thermal systems consisting of cylinders filled with dielectric fluids
Innovative solar panels for building-integrated concentrating photovoltaic/thermal applications have been developed at the University of Lleida, in Spain. The modules consist of cylinders filled with deionised water or isopropyl alcohol and the solar cells are immersed in these liquids. This study a...
| Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Status: | Published version |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya) |
| Repository: | Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:recercat.cat:10459.1/468497 |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.123818 https://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/468497 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) Photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) modules Liquid-immersion-cooling systems Energy payback time (EPBT) Greenhouse-gas payback time (GHG PBT) |
| Summary: | Innovative solar panels for building-integrated concentrating photovoltaic/thermal applications have been developed at the University of Lleida, in Spain. The modules consist of cylinders filled with deionised water or isopropyl alcohol and the solar cells are immersed in these liquids. This study aims at analysing the environmental performance of these systems using life-cycle assessment (cumulative energy demand; global warming potential), ecoinvent database/SimaPro software and ICE (inventory of carbon and energy). Considering both configurations and their additional components, the major part of the cylinders (polymethyl methacrylate), the metallic frames (stainless steel), the PV cells (mono-Si; passivated emitter and rear contact), the liquid mix/ isopropyl alcohol, the motors and the motor-support structures show the highest environmental impacts. The impact varies between 411 and 547 kg CO 2 2. eq of 80–82 kg CO 2 2. eq /m . per m . Recycling of certain materials offers an impact reduction Regarding energy and greenhouse-gas payback time, multiple scenarios have been examined (with/without recycling; cities: Barcelona, Genoa, Lisbon). The values range between 2.7 and 8.2 years, i.e. lower in comparison to system lifespan (15 years). In most scenarios, there is a difference of around one year between the water-based configuration and the one with isopropyl alcohol (the water-based option shows lower values). |
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