Solar panels have a higher carbon footprint per kWh than most other renewable energy sources during their lifecycle, though significantly lower than fossil fuels. According to the IPCC, rooftop solar emits 41 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh, while onshore wind and nuclear have lower emissions (exact figures not provided here, but cited as four times less carbon-intensive than solar in one analysis). Large-scale renewables like hydroelectric and wind typically outperform solar in emissions efficiency.
Key comparisons:
– Solar vs. coal: ~20× less CO2 per kWh.
– Solar vs. gas: ~12× less CO2 per kWh.
– Solar vs. other renewables: Higher than wind and hydro, comparable to or slightly better than biomass (depending on feedstock).
Improvement potential: Reshoring solar manufacturing to the U.S. could reduce lifecycle emissions by 30% by 2035 and 33% by 2050 through cleaner energy grids and advanced production methods.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-carbon-footprint-of-solar-panels-compare-to-other-renewable-energy-sources/
