The unique features of organic photovoltaics (OPVs), including color variety, flexibility and superior low-light performance, make them well-suited for target applications such as building integrated photovoltaics. To move OPVs from research to a commercial phase, continued improvements are needed in efficiency, lifetime and manufacturing of modules. Phillips 66 has a research group working towards identifying high performing conjugated polymers and photovoltaic device engineering.<br/><br/>Variables important to efficiency, lifetime and manufacturing of modules can have a significant impact on energy burden; however, energy burden and environmental impact associated with photovoltaic technologies are not widely discussed. One method used to analyze the environmental sustainability of electricity generation technologies is a life cycle assessment (LCA). This presentation will include an overview of the LCA of OPVs produced on a semi-industrial pilot line, using a “cradle-to-grid” approach with a 1 W photovoltaic module as the functional unit. The primary energy demand and energy payback time of high efficiency photoactive polymers will be discussed and benchmarked against other photovoltaic technologies.

Development and life cycle assessment of organic photovoltaics

251st National Meeting (2016)

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