PV FAQs: Does the world have enough materials for PV to help address climate change?

    Research output: NRELFact Sheet

    Abstract

    In the ongoing discussion of what needs to be done to stabilize atmospheric CO2 by mid-century (Hoffert 1998), one possible option would be to add about 10-20 terawatts (trillion watts, or TW) of photovoltaics (PV) in place of conventional sources. PV would help because, unlike burning fossil fuels, it produces no CO2. However, 10-20 TW is an enormous amount of energy. In peak Watts, the way PVinstallations are generally rated, it is about 50-100 TWpeak (TWp) of PV. Would we have enough materials to make this much PV? As we explain in this PV FAQ, we think our planet has enough feedstock materials for PV to meet the 'TW challenge.'
    Original languageAmerican English
    Number of pages4
    StatePublished - 2005

    NREL Publication Number

    • NREL/FS-520-37656

    Other Report Number

    • DOE/GO-102005-2113

    Keywords

    • climate change
    • CO2
    • FAQs
    • frequently asked questions
    • materials availability
    • photovoltaics (PV)
    • PV
    • solar energy
    • terawatts challenge
    • TW challenge

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