Life cycle assessment for producing monocrystalline photovoltaic panels: a case study of Brazil

ABSTRACT

Energy generation from photovoltaic panels provides for clean, renewable, low environmental impact energy. However, such characteristics are only related to products already in operation, as they do not apply to their production process. In this study, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was conducted to quantify 11 environmental impacts caused by the production of monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic panels in Brazil, considering raw material extraction, material processing, construction, and part production. The LCA showed that the photovoltaic panel production process has several environmental impacts that can be minimized by implementing changes to the production chain, especially to reduce the generation of greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming. It was observed that the solar cell production stage contributes to the environmental impacts the most, especially to those referring to abiotic depletion (84%) and to all stratospheric ozone layer depletion (62%). The potential impacts estimated were 9.43 × 10⁻² kg Sb_eq and 5.34 × 10⁻⁴ kg CFC-11_eq, respectively. With relation to global warming, Greenhouse Gases (GHG) were emitted with a corresponding value of 3.23 × 10³ kg CO_{2 eq}, it was caused by CO₂, CH₄, HFC-134a, nitrous oxide, HFC-23, CFC-13 gases. To reduce impact per unit of production, it is suggested that the monocrystalline silicon panel production be substituted for polycrystalline, and more incentives be provided to increase large-scale panel production, making it cheaper.

KEYWORDS:

• Clean energy
• environmental impact
• life cycle assessment
• photovoltaic panels
• renewable energy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Priscila Carvalho Pupin

Priscila Carvalho Pupin: Graduation in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering and master's degree in Energy Engineering.

Maisa Tonon Bitti Perazzini

Maisa Tonon Bitti Perazzini: Graduation in Chemical Engineering, master's degree in Chemical Engineering, and doctorate in Chemical Engineering.

Maria Luiza Grillo Renó

Maria Luiza Grillo Renó: Graduation in Production Engineering, master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, and doctorate in Mechanical Engineering.

Hugo Perazzini

Hugo Perazzini: Graduation in Chemical Engineering, master's degree in Chemical Engineering, doctorate in Chemical Engineering, and postgraduate degree in Environmental Management.

Jamil Haddad

Jamil Haddad: Graduation in Electrical Engineering, master's degree in Electrical Engineering, and doctorate in Mechanical Engineering.

Roberto Akira Yamachita

Roberto Akira Yamachita: Graduation in Electrical Engineering, master's degree in Electrical Engineering, and doctorate in Electrical Engineering.