Environmental Life-Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of Photovoltaic (PV) and Photovoltaic/Thermal (PV/T) Systems

This research paper addresses a detailed environmental life-cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis of photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems. A comprehensive life-cycle inventory considering all inputs and outputs in constructing both systems is created to perform LCA for 21 environmental impact indicators. LCA has been carried out by several methods, using the SimaPro software. Moreover, the energy payback period (EPBP) and the Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission profile has been obtained for both systems. The outcomes reveal that the PV system possesses a superior environmental profile, smaller production cost and lower GHG emissions than the PV/T system. The economic viability of the PV system revealed a large EPBP of about 20 years, whilst the PV/T system is projected to have an EPBP of approximately 15 years. Overall, this investigation will help to abate the environmental impacts of PV and PV/T systems to employ their full potential.