TOPCon: maverick?
A new solar cell is vying to re-shape the PV industry, with 2-5% efficiency gains and c25-35% lower silicon use than today’s PERC cells. This 13-page note reviews TOPCon cells,…
Chlor-alkali process: the economics?
…to the Siemens Process, used to make 92% of the world’s PV silicon in 2021. Energy intensity is middling. Electricity comprises 30% of the total marginal cost, and c45% of…
Renewables: can they ramp up faster?
…our assessment (page 3). Materials are more challenging, and we map out the total demand pull on global steel, copper, silicon, fiberglass and carbon fiber; and we also discuss the…
Decarbonized supply chains: first invent the universe?
…turbine blades and hydrogen storage tanks), photovoltaic silicon (used in solar panels), lithium (used in batteries), neodymium magnets (used in wind turbines and EVs), dielectric gases (used in electricity distribution)…
Established technologies: hiding in plain sight?
…first electric wind turbine was built in Scotland in 1887 and the first PV silicon was produced at Bell Laboratories in 1954. Today wind and solar comprise 9% of global…
Power functions: how would gas shortages change the cost curve?
…example, PV silicon, carbon fiber, other metals (see below). This is why higher gas/energy prices or higher CO2 prices mechanically translate into mild re-inflation for wind and solar in our…
Solar costs: four horsemen?
…are four challenges, which could stifle future deflation or even re-inflate solar. Most debilitating would be a re-doubling of CO2-intensive PV-silicon. Our 15-page report explores re-inflation risks for solar developers….
Energy economics: an overview?
…Ammonia, Carbon Fiber, Cement, Copper, Cyanides, Desalination, Glass, H2O2, Hydrogen, Industrial Gases, Lithium Batteries, Methanol, NaOH/Cl2, Nitric Acid, Paper, Plastics, Silicon, Silver, Steel, Wood Products. As a rule of thumb,…
Wet sand: what impacts on shale breakevens and CO2?
…takes 120-seconds, via a 100bpm slurry rate carrying 2.7ppg of sand. PropX has undertaken successful trials placing the sand containers on a vibration table, with a sloped discharge cone, silicon-inserts…