Abstract
Energy payback time is the energy analog to financial payback, defined
as the time necessary for a photovoltaic panel to generate the energy
equivalent to that used to produce it. This research contributes
to the growing literature on net benefits of renewable energy systems
by conducting an empirical investigation of as-manufactured photovoltaic
modules, evaluating both established and emerging products. Crystalline
silicon modules achieve an energy break-even in 3 to 4 years. At
the current R&D pilot production rate (8% of capacity) the energy
payback time for thin film copper indium diselenide modules is between
9 and 12 years, and in full production is | 2 years. Over their lifetime,
these solar panels generate 7 to 14 times the energy required to
produce them. Energy content findings for the major materials and
process steps are presented, and important implications for current
research efforts and future prospects are discussed.
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