Carbon Footprint Solar Panel Production

Contrary to the critics a recent research shows that the carbon footprint of solar is lower than coal or gas with carbon capture and storage ccs.

Carbon footprint solar panel production. For instance concentrated solar power csp has a footprint of 20 grams of carbon dioxide co2 per. For those living in unconnected single family homes this number is significantly higher. The carbon footprint of a solar photovoltaic pv panel the average level of greenhouse gas emissions it is responsible for over its lifetime is about 72 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt hour of electricity generated gco2e kwh. The average american household produces 14 920 pounds of carbon dioxide co2 each year assuming an average monthly energy consumption of 957 kilowatt hours.

Firstly the extraction of quartz the crystalline form of silicon and of the other materials necessary for the construction of the panels. This remains true after accounting for emissions during manufacture construction and fuel supply. It is often said that it costs more in fossil fuels to manufacture solar panels than they save over the life of the system. The production of photovoltaic panels still has an important carbon footprint and creates a series of waste liquid and gaseous by products that are harmful to the environment.

Residential solar pv systemsare capable of meeting a household s electricity consumption entirely and result in 80 lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels. Silicon tetra chloride in solar. A solar panel s carbon footprint is at least 20 times smaller than that of coal that a solar panel s carbon footprint is at least 20 times smaller than that of coal and has been continuing to drop as the technology improves and production volumes increase. The objection is essentially that solar panels are made from non renewable fossil fuels.

To create a solar panel caustic materials will emit greenhouse gases. The footprint of solar comes in at 6gco2e kwh and wind is also 4gco2e kwh. For instance concentrated solar power csp has a footprint of 20 grams of carbon dioxide co2 per. The fact is that even solar power plants have an environmental footprint on a lifecycle basis.

What about the carbon footprint of solar panels manufacturing. Although the use of solar panels is green many solar panel manufacturing processes are not. The figures for ccs are elevated for two reasons.