Environmental Life Cycle Analysis and Energy Payback Period Evaluation of Solar PV Systems: The Case of Pakistan

Hamad Hussain Shah, Piero Bareschino, Erasmo Mancusi and Francesco Pepe ()
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Hamad Hussain Shah: Department of Engineering, Università del Sannio, Piazza Roma 21, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Piero Bareschino: Department of Engineering, Università del Sannio, Piazza Roma 21, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Erasmo Mancusi: Department of Engineering, Università del Sannio, Piazza Roma 21, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Francesco Pepe: Department of Engineering, Università del Sannio, Piazza Roma 21, 82100 Benevento, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-24

Abstract: This study employs a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to investigate the environmental burden of photovoltaic power generation systems that use multi-crystalline silicon (multi-Si) modules in Pakistan. This study evaluates the energy payback time (EPBT) of this class of systems, and considers various environmental impacts, including climate change, acidification, and eutrophication. The assessment accounts for upstream, midstream, and downstream processes, including cell as well as module production. The critical stages in the production cycle were identified, including the metallic silicon transformation into solar silicon and the assembly of the panels, which involve energy-intensive materials such as aluminum frames and glass roofing. Despite using the most efficient conversion technology, the former stage consumes a significant amount of electricity. This study reveals that multi-Si PV systems in Pakistan have an EPBT that is considerably less than their lifespan, ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 years. These findings suggest that the development of PV systems in Pakistan is a very interesting option for energy production. Additionally, this study compares solar PV and wind power generation systems in various regions of Pakistan. The study outcomes can facilitate evidence-based decision-making processes in the renewable energy sector and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s endeavor to transition toward a sustainable energy system.

Keywords: solar energy; environmental assessment; photovoltaic energy; energy payback time; environmental impacts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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