ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF TEDLAR® PVF FILM FOR USE IN PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

Teflon

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF TEDLAR® PVF FILM FOR USE IN PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

Krieger, T., Roekens-Guibert, H.
DuPont  
1007 Market St. Wilmington, DE 19898
(p) (302) 774-1026, (f) (302) 774-2457, (e) todd.m.krieger@usa.dupont.com

ABSTRACT: Solar power offers a “greener” alternative to traditional electricity generation. To quantify the benefits of solar power, life cycle analysis of photovoltaic (PV) modules is necessary, requiring environmental impacts of all materials used in their production. Therefore, a cradle-to-gate LCA for the production of Tedlar® polyvinylfluoride (PVF) film has been generated. Tedlar® PVF films are preferred as the backing sheet for PV modules due to their excellent strength, weather resistance, UV resistance, and moisture barrier properties. These properties significantly improve module life, allowing module warranties up to 25 years. Requiring 317 MJ of primary energy per kg for its production, Tedlar® PVF film contributes less than 1.5% of the entire PV module’s embodied energy. Less than eight months of extended module life justifies using Tedlar® film in lieu of other backing sheet materials. Other environmental impacts are also relatively insignificant compared to the PV module and roughly in proportion to the impacts of energy use. The global warming potential of Tedlar®, 23.3 kg CO2 eq. per kg, contributes less than 2% of the total GWP for a photovoltaic module. Tedlar® PVF film imparts minimal environmental impact in the production of a photovoltaic module while significantly reducing the overall burden of solar power by increasing module life. Keywords: Tedlar® PVF Film, Backsheet, Life Cycle Analysis