The evolution of the dye sensitized solar cells from Gratzel prototype to up-scaled solar applications: A life cycle assessment approach

Emerging photovoltaics has gathered much attention in the last years. Among the innovative technologies developed in order to decrease the costs and broaden the applicability of photovoltaics, the dye sensitized solar cells have gained a flourishing interest for their potential as an economically and environmentally viable alternative to traditional devices. With the aim to increase the efficiency, stability and lifetime of dye sensitized solar cells, the research and development activity has been very productive in order to find the proper set of materials and the best architectures. This present paper aims to trace the progress of dye sensitized solar cells from a life cycle assessment perspective in order to draw the environmental profile of this technology for assessing its potential for eco-friendly innovation in the energy sector. The analysis is performed with a cradle-to-gate approach on three different levels: the synthesis of the solar cell main components, the fabrication of modules with different configurations and, finally, the operational phase of a roof-top photovoltaic system. The comprehensive ReCiPe impact assessment method along with the Cumulative Energy Demand, Global Warming Potential and Energy Payback Time indicators were employed to calculate the photovoltaic performances in comparison with other more mature and best-established thin film technologies. Major outcomes, presented along with a statistical analysis, show that dye sensitized solar cells compare similarly and sometimes better than inorganic devices, even for a far-from-optimum industrial fabrication procedure. Such investigation allows pointing out the usefulness of the life cycle assessment methodology to highlight benefits and drawbacks associated with different technical options that have been proposed for the development of the dye sensitized solar cells technology so far. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.