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Simplified life‐cycle analysis of PV systems in buildings: present situation and future trends
Author(s) -
Frankl P.,
Masini A.,
Gamberale M.,
Toccaceli D.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-159x(199803/04)6:2<137::aid-pip208>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , environmental science , environmental economics , reliability engineering , computer science , roof , life cycle assessment , production (economics) , engineering , civil engineering , electrical engineering , economics , macroeconomics
The integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems in buildings shows several advantages compared to conventional PV power plants. The main objectives of the present study are the quantitative evaluation of the benefits of building‐integrated PV systems over their entire life‐cycle and the identification of best solutions to maximize their energy efficiency and CO 2 mitigation potential. In order to achieve these objectives, a simplified life‐cycle analysis (LCA) has been carried out. Firstly, a number of existing applications have been studied. Secondly, a parametric analysis of possible improvements in the balance‐of‐system (BOS) has been developed. Finally, the two steps have been combined with the analysis of crystalline silicon technologies. Results are reported in terms of several indicators: energy pay‐back time, CO 2 yield and specific CO 2 emissions. The indicators show that the integration of PV systems in buildings clearly increases the environmental benefits of present PV technology. These benefits will further increase with future PV technologies. Future optimized PV roof‐integrated systems are expected to have an energy pay‐back time of around 1·5 years (1 year with heat recovery) and to save during their lifetime more than 20 times the amount of CO 2 emitted during their manufacturing (34 times with heat recovery). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.