Title :
A comparison of window/buffer layer materials for CdTe thin film modules using environmental risk assessment
Author :
Hynes, Kathleen M. ; Newham, John
Author_Institution :
Photovoltaics Applications Centre, Northumbria Univ., Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Abstract :
The chemical bath deposition of both cadmium sulphide (CdS) and zinc selenide (ZnSe) window layers has been compared and assessed in terms of the major reactants, transition materials, by-products and waste, using environmental risk assessment techniques. Data are presented from experimental measurements of CdS chemical bath deposition processes, showing that nonvolatile carcinogens such as CdS and thiourea can be dispersed into the gaseous environment via the aerosols produced by hot deposition baths. The paper compares the environmental implications of using CdS, currently the traditional window material, or ZnSe, the most promising of the available alternatives. In both cases, careful management and control of gaseous emissions, waste treatment and PV module recycling is necessary to meet the strict environmental criteria now demanded by US and EU legislation
Keywords :
II-VI semiconductors; cadmium compounds; legislation; liquid phase deposited coatings; liquid phase deposition; solar cell arrays; waste disposal; CdS; CdS chemical bath deposition processes; CdTe; CdTe thin film modules; EU legislation; PV module recycling; US legislation; ZnSe; aerosols; by-products; cadmium sulphide; chemical bath deposition; environmental implications; environmental risk assessment; gaseous emissions; gaseous environment; hot deposition baths; nonvolatile carcinogens; reactants; thiourea; transition materials; waste; waste treatment; window/buffer layer materials; zinc selenide; Aerosols; Buffer layers; Cadmium compounds; Chemical processes; Dispersion; Environmental management; Risk management; Transistors; Waste materials; Zinc compounds;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2000. Conference Record of the Twenty-Eighth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Anchorage, AK
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5772-8
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.2000.916182