Life cycle assessment of high-concentration photovoltaic systems

The environmental profiles of photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming better as materials are used more efficiently in their production, and overall system performance improves. Our analysis details the material and energy inventories in the life cycle of high-concentration PV systems, and, based on measured field-performances, evaluates their energy payback times, life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, and usage of land and water. Although operating high-concentration PV systems require considerable maintenance, their life cycle environmental burden is much lower than that of the flat-plate c-Si systems operating in the same high-insolation regions. The estimated energy payback times of the Amonix 7700 PV system in operation at Phoenix, AZ, is only 0.9year, and its estimated greenhouse gas emissions are 27g CO2-eq./kWh over 30years, or approximately 16g CO2-eq./kWh over 50years. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.