High-Performance and Sustainable Photovoltaics (PV)

Introduction

Sustainability as a concept impacted our society first as a waste management framework in the 1980's and was documented by the Brundtland report. It was captured by the famous green logo of three arrows drawn in a cyclic way and was used along with the three-Rs keywords framework, that is, Recycle-Reuse-Reduce. 

Today, the sustainability movement has reached the government and corporate world in an unprecedented way to the point that everyone talks about it and all companies aim to capitalize on the opportunities created by thinking and operating with the sustainability as the vision impacting all aspects of the economy. Today, sophisticated analysis of processes and products and their interactions with suppliers and buyers and advanced supply chain management methods have been being developed impacting the circular economy thinking. In such circular economy, waste is not an unavoidable burden anymore, but a source of something to be converted and used for a different useful purpose. 

The net zero emissions target by 2050 would surely increase the demand for energy generation solutions that are clean and renewable but also use equipment that is recyclable. The sustainability concepts will change the way the various system components are designed, manufactured, transported, used, and ultimately recycled at the end of their lifetime. 

Solar Photovoltaics have been at the forefront of technological solutions that have changed the profile of the energy generation industry and the energy mix. Over the last 40 years, solar PV along with the wind energy technologies, they have reached commercial maturity and have been on the road towards increased scalability.  It is one of key technologies to assist us in meeting the above-mentioned emissions target. The amount of energy generation capacity that we need to reach the 2050 net zero emission target varies between different energy transition scenarios. However, one thing is certain, the solar photovoltaics will be a major player in the market in search of affordable, renewable and clean energy generation technologies that can be scaled up to deliver what is needed and expected by the society at large. 

When applying the sustainability framework on the way the photovoltaics are designed, manufactured, used, and recycled there is a need for solutions that contribute towards high-performance and sustainable photovoltaics. 

This GLOMACS High-Performance and Sustainable Photovoltaics (PV) training course will highlight methods and technological opportunities to: 

• Reconsider the way the solar photovoltaics cells and modules are designed, developed, manufactured and utilized in the field
• Reduce the materials used to build photovoltaic cells and modules and assess ways for replacing existing materials as long as they result in savings for at least the same energy yield, lifetime and cost
• Increase the efficiency of the solar PV cells and modules
• Extend the life of current solar PV cells and modules
• Recycle an even higher percentage of the materials used to manufacture them
• Replace materials used in the past if they could result in improved performance

Objectives

By the end of High-Performance and Sustainable Photovoltaics (PV) this training course, participants will learn: 

• To discuss critically the various commercially available technologies associated with solar photovoltaics cells and modules
• To analyze the processes of designing, manufacturing, use and recycling
• To think in a holistic way and consider the way the cells are manufactured to improve their lifetime and concurrently their recyclability
• To question the way materials are integrated to deliver a given product and how such integration can be reconsidered in the light of changing some materials towards an even higher performance of the final product
• To evaluate competing technological solutions for high performance and sustainable photovoltaic technologies

Training Methodology

Participants to this High-Performance and Sustainable Photovoltaics (PV) training course will receive a thorough training on the subjects covered by the training course outline with the presenter utilising a variety of proven adult learning teaching and facilitation techniques. Each participant will receive a copy of the comprehensive training manual. The presenter will outline and discuss the topics using computer displays, videos and power point slides presentation.

The training course is designed to have an interactive format to maximize delegate participation and learning. Questions and answers are encouraged. Needs-based case-studies and examples will be discussed during the execution of course training activities. This will create the training environment where participants the opportunity to contribute to the key topics of the training course though their working experience.

Organisational Impact

By sending the employees to this High-Performance and Sustainable Photovoltaics (PV) training course, the organization through their employees’ development will also gain the following:

• Understanding the complexities of business processes and innovation associated with Renewable Energy Technologies
• Accessing of cutting-edge techniques associated with the focused analysis of interrelated technology and business issues and how they affect the performance of the organization that handles solar PV and energy related projects
• Developing holistic plans for applying sustainability concepts in research, development, manufacturing, utilization and retirement of large solar power plants and general industry know-how through employee written reports following the course attendance
• Insights gained from the developments of a key solar energy technology that drove the growth of the Renewable Energy industry at large and will continue to dominate the energy field towards net zero emissions by 2050

Personal Impact

The participants will benefit greatly by attending this High-Performance and Sustainable Photovoltaics (PV) training course as we take the road towards high performance and sustained photovoltaics.  

• Comprehend the concept of sustainability and how it is applied in solar PVs from component to system
• Gain a deep understanding of anything that is behind the solar photovoltaics industry from research to development and from manufacturing to operation and end of life   
• Hone your skills of analyzing material selection for component performance
• Learn evaluation approaches for component selection and system design
• Appreciate innovative thinking in a holistic way, where sustainability is integrated in every step of the process of designing, manufacturing, operating, and retiring solar (PV) plants
• Establish the importance of lifecycle assessment of solar (PV) plants and their life cycle cost to deliver affordable, clean, and renewable energy generation solutions