This study builds on previous meta-analyses of photovoltaic (PV) systems to assess the tradeoff between efficiency and energy inputs (i.e. cumulative energy demand, CED) in the energetic performance (as measured by energy return on investment (EROI)) of PV technologies under both high-cost and low-cost balance of system scenarios. This study focuses on three existing technology groups (wafer, thin film, and organic). We find that earlier projections of third-generation (high-efficiency, low-cost), thin-film technologies have not yet emerged, since “third-generation” technologies currently have low-cost but also low-efficiency. However, we also find that the best advances in energetic performance to date come from thin film technology.

中文翻译：

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评估光伏技术前景：效率和能源投资回报率（EROI）†

这项研究建立在以前的光伏（PV）系统的荟萃分析的基础上，以评估效率和能量输入（即累积能量需求，CED）在光伏技术的能量表现（以能量投资回报率（EROI）衡量）之间的权衡。在系统方案的高成本平衡和低成本平衡的情况下。这项研究的重点是三个现有技术组（晶圆，薄膜和有机技术）。我们发现，第三代（高效，低成本）薄膜技术的早期预测尚未出现，因为“第三代”技术目前既具有低成本，又具有低效率。但是，我们还发现，迄今为止，能量性能方面的最佳进步来自薄膜技术。