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Sustainable Manufacturing of CIGS Solar Cells for Implementation on Electric Vehicles

Samett, Amelia
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1601-7475
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1591380591637557

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Sciences (Engineering), Case Western Reserve University, EMC - Mechanical Engineering.
In this thesis, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells were studied for the manufacturing processes, material consumed, energy consumed and carbon dioxide emissions. Throughout the processes of forming, cleaning, sputtering, coevaporation and chemical bath deposition, it is found that manufacturing a square meter of an entire CIGS panel, with a weight of 6.27 kg, consumes 157 kg of water, 5.95 kg of methanol, 2.97 kg of acetone, and 0.453 kg of panel layers’ material and the reactants needed during deposition, consumes 139 kWh of energy, and generates 130 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions. The application of the CIGS solar cells on a solar-powered commuter car operating in Cleveland, Los Angeles and Phoenix as three representative locations was modeled and analyzed. The actual solar irradiance in Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Phoenix was considered in the analysis to calculate the solar power availability, daily distance capacity, total charging time, and the viability for commutes. Numerical analysis focusing on the solar panels rather than the whole vehicle showed that the energy payback time of the panels ranges from 113 to 183 days across the three locations. Compared with grid-based electric vehicles, the carbon dioxide payback time is 279 to 361 days. The carbon dioxide emissions from the CIGS solar panels is approximately 3.96 g/mile, in comparison with the grid ranging 40 to 52 g/mile. This study shows that employing solar panels to power electric vehicles has great potential in reducing the carbon footprint of electric vehicles.
Chris Yuan (Advisor)
140 p.
Alternative Energy; Energy; Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Transportation
Sustainable manufacturing, CIGS, solar cells, solar-powered electric vehicle, solar power, energy payback time, carbon dioxide payback time

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Samett, A. (2020). Sustainable Manufacturing of CIGS Solar Cells for Implementation on Electric Vehicles [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1591380591637557

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Samett, Amelia. Sustainable Manufacturing of CIGS Solar Cells for Implementation on Electric Vehicles. 2020. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1591380591637557.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Samett, Amelia. "Sustainable Manufacturing of CIGS Solar Cells for Implementation on Electric Vehicles." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1591380591637557

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1591380591637557
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© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.