Life-cycle assesment of Photovoltaic Studies: Results of Swiss Studies
on Energy Chains
Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, (1998)Abstract
The methodology used and results obtained for grid-connected photovoltaic
(PV) plants in recent Swiss life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies on
current and future energy systems are discussed. Mono- and polycrystalline
silicon cell technologies utilized in current panels as well as monocrystalline
and amorphous cells for future applications were analysed for Swiss
conditions. The environmental inventories of slanted-roof solar panels
and large plants are presented. Greenhouse gas emissions from present
and future electricity systems are compared. The high electricity
require- ments for manufacturing determine most of the environmental
burdens associated with current photovoltaics. However, due to increasing
eÂciency of production processes and cells, the environmental performance
of PV systems is likely to improve substantially in the future.