A Systematic Evaluation Model for Solar Cell Technologies

Abstract

Fossil fuels, including coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear energy, are the primary electricity sources currently. However, with depletion of fossil fuels, global warming, nuclear crisis, and increasing environmental consciousness, the demand for renewable energy resources has skyrocketed. Solar energy is one of the most popular renewable energy resources for meeting global energy demands. Even though there are abundant studies on various solar technology developments, there is a lack of studies on solar technology evaluation and selection. Therefore, this research develops a model using interpretive structural modeling (ISM), benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks concept (BOCR), and fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) to aggregate experts' opinions in evaluating current available solar cell technology. A case study in a photovoltaics (PV) firm is used to examine the practicality of the proposed model in selecting the most suitable technology for the firm in manufacturing new products.