Factors Affecting Carbon Footprint
- Raw Material Extraction and Processing:
- Silicon mining and processing are crucial for solar panel manufacturing. High temperatures and significant energy consumption are required for silicon refinement, often relying on coal-fired power plants.
- Other metals like aluminum and copper are also used, contributing to emissions from mining activities.
- Manufacturing Processes:
- The production of polysilicon, wafering, cell fabrication, and module assembly require substantial amounts of energy, with the energy mix (e.g., coal, gas, renewable sources) impacting emissions.
- Monocrystalline solar panels generally require more energy than polycrystalline ones due to the manufacturing process.
- Transportation:
- Most solar panels are manufactured in countries like China, while demand is high in Europe and North America, resulting in significant transportation emissions due to shipping and inland transport.
- The weight of panels, including glass and aluminum frames, increases fuel consumption during transport.
- Installation and Maintenance:
- Although less significant than manufacturing, installation processes and maintenance over the lifespan of solar panels also contribute to the total carbon footprint, though minimally compared to manufacturing and transportation.
- Disposal:
- At the end of their lifespan, solar panels must be disposed of or recycled. Improper disposal can lead to additional environmental impacts, though recycling efforts can mitigate these effects.
- Operational Emissions:
- Once installed, solar panels produce electricity with almost zero operational emissions, making them environmentally beneficial over their lifespan.
Comparative Emissions
The carbon footprint of solar panels is significantly lower than fossil fuel-based power plants but higher than some other renewables like hydro and onshore wind. Solar panels can offset their manufacturing emissions through clean energy production within a few years.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-main-factors-that-influence-the-carbon-footprint-of-solar-panels-during-their-lifespan/
