This project investigates the historical and future use of aluminium in photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Historical deployment and material intensity data are analysed to understand past trends and to project future aluminium demand across different PV applications. These projections are then used to estimate the environmental impacts associated with aluminium production and use in PV systems. Finally, the study quantifies the value of aluminium recovery by assessing the recycling potential associated with future PV deployment.
School
Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
Research Area
Photovoltaics | Sustainability
Suitable for recognition of Work Integrated Learning (industrial training)?
Yes
- Research environment
- Expected outcomes
- Supervisory team
- Reference material/links
The student will work within a research group focused on sustainable manufacturing in the solar industry as it enters the era of terawatt scale production, collaborating with senior researchers at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.
- The student will develop an understanding of the key sustainability considerations and challenges in photovoltaic manufacturing.
- Development of a learning curve for aluminium use in photovoltaic manufacturing.
- Estimation of the value of aluminium recycling for different photovoltaic products over time.
