Solar Resources and Carbon Footprint of Photovoltaic Power in Different Regions in Europe

• Main Authors: DE WILD SCHOLTEN Mariska, CASSAGNE Valerick, HULD Thomas
• Language: English
• Published: WIP 2014
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC89270; http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?paper=28188; https://doi.org/10.4229/EUPVSEC20142014-5DV.3.46

The 2011 world average carbon footprint of PV system manufacturing is estimated as 1798 kg CO2-eq/kWp using technology shares (multi, mono, film Si, CdTe, CIGS) as weighting factors. The electricity mixes of allproduction countries of poly-Si, wafer, cell and modules was taken into account. New yearly irradiation data (kWh/m2)and PV energy output (kWh/kWp) are calculated for different regions in Europe on NUTS level 1 and 2 for horizontal,optimum and vertical angle. The world average carbon footprint of PV electricity generation is estimated as 55 g CO2-eq/kWh with cumulative installations as weighting factors. Lowest value of 38 g CO2-eq/kWh is for Cyprus which has ahigh irradiation and the highest value of 89 g CO2-eq/kWh is for Iceland which has a low irradiation. It is assumed thatthe PV modules are installed at optimal angle to the sun and end-of-life treatment is excluded. The majority of countriescan decrease the greenhouse gas emission of electricity generation by increasing the share of photovoltaics. JRC.F.7 - Renewables and Energy Efficiency