What's Happening?
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Warwick, along with Northumbria, Birmingham, and Oxford Universities, has found that manufacturing next-generation solar panels could significantly cut global carbon emissions. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that by 2035, the adoption of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) photovoltaics, combined with manufacturing improvements and grid decarbonization, could reduce solar manufacturing emissions by up to 8.2 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent. This reduction represents about 14% of current global annual emissions. The research emphasizes the importance of manufacturing location, noting that producing photovoltaics using low-carbon electricity can further decrease
emissions.
Why It's Important?
The findings of this study are crucial as they highlight the potential for solar technology to play a significant role in global decarbonization efforts. As the demand for electricity increases, driven by applications in transport, heating, and digital infrastructure, the need for sustainable energy sources becomes more pressing. The study underscores the environmental benefits of transitioning to more efficient solar technologies, which could avoid more than 25 gigatonnes of carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel electricity. This transition not only supports global efforts to combat climate change but also enhances energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
What's Next?
The study suggests that the solar industry should focus on deploying TOPCon photovoltaics at scale to maximize environmental savings. This involves targeted improvements across the supply chain and strategic decisions regarding manufacturing locations. As the industry moves towards multi-terawatt scale deployment, stakeholders, including policymakers and manufacturers, will need to collaborate to ensure that the transition to cleaner solar technologies is both efficient and sustainable.
