Upgraded metallurgical grade silicon and polysilicon for solar electricity production: A comparative life cycle assessment

Solar grade silicon (SoGSi) is a key material for the development of crystalline photovoltaics (PV), which expected to reach tera-watt level in next years and around 50TW 2050. Upgraded metallurgical (UMGSi) has already demonstrated be viable alternative standard polysilicon terms cost quality. This study presents life cycle assessment (LCA) UMG obtained by FerroSolar process. Moreover, it shows environmental impacts PV modules electricity generation based on this material. For this, an exhaustive review inventory (LCI) value chain, from (MG-Si) down generation, been carried out updating inputs all processes. The Balance System (BoS) also updated with current state art data fixed open ground large site (100 MWpk). Two different mixes, low high carbon intensities, have considered. results reveal that using UMG-Si instead leads overall reduction Climate change (CC) emissions over 20%, along improvement Energy Payback Time (EPBT) 25%, achieving significantly values, 12 gCO2eq/kWhe 0.52 years, respectively. shown feedstock not main contributor energy footprint produced electricity, leaving first place module manufacturing.