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Field installation versus local integration of photovoltaic systems and their effect on energy evaluation metrics

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  • Halasah, Suleiman A.
  • Pearlmutter, David
  • Feuermann, Daniel

Abstract

In this study we employ Life-Cycle Assessment to evaluate the energy-related impacts of photovoltaic systems at different scales of integration, in an arid region with especially high solar irradiation. Based on the electrical output and embodied energy of a selection of fixed and tracking systems and including concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) and varying cell technology, we calculate a number of energy evaluation metrics, including the energy payback time (EPBT), energy return factor (ERF), and life-cycle CO2 emissions offset per unit aperture and land area. Studying these metrics in the context of a regionally limited setting, it was found that utilizing existing infrastructure such as existing building roofs and shade structures does significantly reduce the embodied energy requirements (by 20–40%) and in turn the EPBT of flat-plate PV systems due to the avoidance of energy-intensive balance of systems (BOS) components like foundations. Still, high-efficiency CPV field installations were found to yield the shortest EPBT, the highest ERF and the largest life-cycle CO2 offsets—under the condition that land availability is not a limitation. A greater life-cycle energy return and carbon offset per unit land area is yielded by locally-integrated non-concentrating systems, despite their lower efficiency per unit module area.

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  • Halasah, Suleiman A. & Pearlmutter, David & Feuermann, Daniel, 2013. "Field installation versus local integration of photovoltaic systems and their effect on energy evaluation metrics," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 462-471.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:52:y:2013:i:c:p:462-471
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.09.063
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Aleksandra Ziemińska-Stolarska & Monika Pietrzak & Ireneusz Zbiciński, 2021. "Application of LCA to Determine Environmental Impact of Concentrated Photovoltaic Solar Panels—State-of-the-Art," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, May.
    4. Lamnatou, Chr. & Chemisana, D., 2017. "Concentrating solar systems: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental issues," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 916-932.
    5. Edgar, Ross & Cochard, Steve & Stachurski, Zbigniew, 2015. "Double-layer orthogonal-offset photovoltaic platforms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 478-485.
    6. Emmanuel Shittu & Maria Kolokotroni & Valentina Stojceska, 2019. "Environmental Impact of the High Concentrator Photovoltaic Thermal 2000x System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Chia-Nan Wang & Van Tran Hoang Viet & Thanh Phong Ho & Van Thanh Nguyen & Syed Tam Husain, 2020. "Optimal Site Selection for a Solar Power Plant in the Mekong Delta Region of Vietnam," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.

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