The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact on human health and on the ecosystem caused by electricity produced by photovoltaic systems. The analysis was carried out with the life cycle assessment methodology (LCA) and the eco indicators method. It includes a study of raw materials and energy consumption and their polluting emissions in air, water and soil during the production phase in Europe and transport, use and disposal in the city of Rome of the crystalline silicon and all other materials and components used to produce 1 kWh of electricity. The kWh is the functional unit of the LCA analysis. The study considers the relationship between the energy consumption needed to build a PV system and the energy produced by the same system over 25 years. The study also considers the relationship between global and local environmental impact caused by the manufacturing and disposal of the PV system and the avoided environmental impact due to the energy produced by renewable sources. Finally, the analysis compares global and local emissions of CO2 caused by the PV system's manufacturing and disposal and the avoided emissions of CO2 using electricity from renewable sources. The study describes the possible solutions to reduce environmental impact through innovation.

Life cycle assessment of electricity generated by photovoltaic systems manufactured in Europe and installed in buildings in the city of Rome / DE SANTOLI, Livio; Sferra, ADRIANA SCARLET; Piras, Giuseppe. - STAMPA. - 128:(2010), pp. 321-330. (Intervento presentato al convegno 3rd International Conference on Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature tenutosi a A Coruna, SPAIN nel APR 12-14, 2010) [10.2495/arc100271].

Life cycle assessment of electricity generated by photovoltaic systems manufactured in Europe and installed in buildings in the city of Rome

DE SANTOLI, LIVIO;SFERRA, ADRIANA SCARLET;PIRAS, GIUSEPPE
2010

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact on human health and on the ecosystem caused by electricity produced by photovoltaic systems. The analysis was carried out with the life cycle assessment methodology (LCA) and the eco indicators method. It includes a study of raw materials and energy consumption and their polluting emissions in air, water and soil during the production phase in Europe and transport, use and disposal in the city of Rome of the crystalline silicon and all other materials and components used to produce 1 kWh of electricity. The kWh is the functional unit of the LCA analysis. The study considers the relationship between the energy consumption needed to build a PV system and the energy produced by the same system over 25 years. The study also considers the relationship between global and local environmental impact caused by the manufacturing and disposal of the PV system and the avoided environmental impact due to the energy produced by renewable sources. Finally, the analysis compares global and local emissions of CO2 caused by the PV system's manufacturing and disposal and the avoided emissions of CO2 using electricity from renewable sources. The study describes the possible solutions to reduce environmental impact through innovation.
2010
3rd International Conference on Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature
mayor's pact; pv system; saving co2; lca
04 Pubblicazione in atti di convegno::04b Atto di convegno in volume
Life cycle assessment of electricity generated by photovoltaic systems manufactured in Europe and installed in buildings in the city of Rome / DE SANTOLI, Livio; Sferra, ADRIANA SCARLET; Piras, Giuseppe. - STAMPA. - 128:(2010), pp. 321-330. (Intervento presentato al convegno 3rd International Conference on Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature tenutosi a A Coruna, SPAIN nel APR 12-14, 2010) [10.2495/arc100271].
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
DeSantoli_life-cycle_2010.pdf

solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 398.97 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
398.97 kB Adobe PDF   Contatta l'autore

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/226632
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 5
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 2
social impact