Net CO₂ emissions from global photovoltaic development

Abstract

We examine cumulative net energy use and cumulative net CO 2 emissions associated with the 5 development of photovoltaics (PVs) on a global scale. The analysis is focused on the performance of five countries with the largest installed PV capacities -Italy, Japan, Germany, Spain, and the United Statesand on the aggregate values for the world (23 countries). The historical record shows that, during the past 19 years of development, the installed base has grown to 64 GW, with an average annual growth rate of almost 40%. During that period the manufacturing and use of photovoltaics has led to a cumulative net 10 consumption of approximately 286 PJ of energy, and cumulative net emissions of 34 Mt of CO 2 as a result of a considerable payback time. While energy/CO 2 payback time is not unique to PV systems, it plays a larger role in the development of new energy systems than other low-carbon systems. PV energy/CO 2 payback time decreases with the following measures: installation of PVs in locations with a large PV potential and high CO 2 emissions of the electricity replaced, manufacturing PVs at locations 15 with low CO 2 emissions of kWh of electricity used in the production, recycling PVs, and increasing PV conversion efficiency. The analysis is therefore extended into the future for three scenarios with different maximum capacities of photovoltaics (20%, 50%, and 100% of total electricity production). In these scenarios, cumulative net CO 2 emissions can be reduced by 4%, 9%, and 18%, respectively, over the long term (by the year 2050). Short-term CO 2 increases during growth versus long-term CO 2 reduction present 20 a trade-off in developmental growth strategies.

Comparative Performance Analysis of Grid-Connected PV Power Systems with Different PV Technologies in the Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone

“…Therefore, more attention has been paid recently to solar PV power generation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The global cumulative installed capacity of solar PV power systems has increased rapidly over the past decade [1][2][3].…”

A climate rationale for research and development on photovoltaics manufacture

“…Therefore, existing PV environmental studies cannot inform the PV R&D policy on the actual magnitude of the climate gains to be achieved by reducing the manufacturing energy and GHG footprint. Although there have been recent reviews and harmonization studies on the GHG intensity of PV electricity [16] [17] and research on optimally locating manufacturing and deployment sites for reducing the GHG and energy impacts during rapid growth phases of global PV installations [33] [34], these stopped short of analyzing the potential for future gains in time-sensitive climate benefit of improving PV manufacturing. One study presented manufacturing trends over a shorter time frame of 5 years [35], but does not quantify the climate benefit of GHG and energy reduction in PV manufacturing processes using a time sensitive metric.…”