A dynamic life-cycle analysis of photovoltaic industry: future scenarios and technological innovations for large scale diffusion of solar energy systems

Summary form only as given. This paper demonstrates the importance of a significant technology innovation for the large-scale diffusion of photovoltaic power systems. In fact, the process currently adopted for the production of PV cells-which uses old silicon scraps from the electronic industry as feed stock-may be an environmental and economic bottleneck for a further growth of this energy source. The present situation is discussed and future scenarios are depicted in order to identify the optimal technology as a function of PV demand