Towards a Greener Future: Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Panels

Abstract

This study primarily intends to develop a life cycle analysis (LCA) to provide an understanding of the life cycle environmental impacts of solar panels, in order to characterize the sustainability benefits and challenges associated with solar energy technology. By examining the full life cycle of solar panels—from raw material extraction through manufacturing, installation, use, and end of life—greater understanding may be developed regarding the sustainability aspects of solar panels. In order to achieve the LCA, life cycle analysis framework based on ISO 14040 standards was used. Data from various points in the solar panel life cycle including extraction of raw materials (silicon, metals), energy consumed in the manufacturing, emissions during installation, and potential impacts while the technology is in use and when decommissioned was collected. Environmentally extended input-output, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, net energy payback times, and resource depletion were also assessed. Overall, the research illustrated that while future projected carbon emissions, during typical operational characterizations, have a major reduction in GHG, system-wide sustainability challenges occur as a complication of energy-intensive manufacturing processes, and the associated environmental effects of sourcing raw materials. The findings herein highlight the necessity of improving sustainability practices through energy optimization of the manufacturing process, the exploration of recycling, and improvement of producer responsibility, is paramount to realizing solar's potential as a sustainable energy technology. In addition, it has been discovered that energy payback time is much lower than what has been documented in the literature previously, which suggests increasing efficiencies in the energy and life cycle analysis characteristics of solar technologies being employed. This study enhances the knowledge base by providing a LCA of solar panel technology and provides a significant contribution to resolving the identified gaps in previous studies focused on solar energy technology's environmental sacrifices. The knowledge produced is critical for informing policy, manufacturers, and consumers on some of the sustainable trade-offs related to solar technology, and finding a pathway to sustainable clean energy.