Impacts of changing design considerations on the life cycle carbon emissions of solar photovoltaic systems. (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nian, Victor
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 183(2016)
• Page Start: 1471
• Page End: 1487
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: LCA -- Solar insolation -- Grid emission factor -- Manufacturing -- Balance of system -- Dimensionless; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.08.176
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: Introduced a methodology for evaluating the life cycle carbon emissions of PV systems. Typical and maximum variations in PV systems' life cycle carbon emissions are found. Reported reference values of PV systems' life cycle carbon emission factors worldwide. Abstract: The developments in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are mainly driven by the agenda to reduce carbon emissions of energy systems. PV systems produce nearly zero carbon emission when in operation, but the manufacturing processes are not free from carbon emissions. Studies found in the literature generally employ life cycle analysis (LCA) to quantify carbon emissions from PV systems, but there are large variations in the reported values of the life cycle carbon emission factors. These variations are caused by the use of different methodologies and associated assumptions (or design considerations). In an attempt to quantify the impacts of varying design considerations on LCA results, this study introduces a concept of temporal expansion of the physical system boundaries. This will enable us to reformulate an LCA methodology for manufacturing systems analysis based on a generic process chain analysis framework. The reformulated methodology can facilitate an accurate, transparent, and consistent description of the system and boundary conditions. When quantifying the impacts of varying design considerations through case studies, reference values of the life cycle carbon emission factors of PV systems are computed for a wide ranging geographical locations. The distribution of the reference values reveals the maximum and typical variations in the life cycle carbon emission factors of PV systems. In addition, the mapping of these values can facilitate selection of environmentally favorable configurations of PV system supply chains as well as benchmarking in future LCA studies.