The development of new technologies requires an overall evaluation of the product environmental impacts and benefits. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) is one of the most powerful methods that allow an in depth understanding of the potential of innovative technologies in terms of environmental sustainability and a comparison with other more mature and best-established technologies.
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)
Also known as Grätzel cells, these particular photovoltaic devices mimic the process of chlorophyllian photosynthesis. In contrast to the traditional systems, the DSSCs do not have a semiconductor (such as silicon) that converts solar photons into electricity, but they are characterized by many different compounds. Each of these compounds has a specific function that allows the production of ‘photoelectric energy’.
Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC)
Compared to other photosensitive materials, one of the most important advantages of perovskitesis the possibility to select the crystalline structure components, modulating some fundamental optical characteristics (such as the mobility of charges, the formation and transport of the electron pair and the band gap) during the early design stage of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By modifying the raw materials employed, it is possible to fabricate many PSC module configurations, suitable for several final uses (i.e. BIPV).